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IAEA SESSION TO DISCUSS IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAMS

RIA Novosti

VIENNA, February 28 (RIA Novosti, Borislav Pechnikov) - The session of the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) Board of Governors, which opened in Vienna on Monday, will mostly discuss Iranian nuclear programs.

Talking to RIA Novosti, a well-informed IAEA source noted that the discussion of Iran's nuclear program was to have become something routine because IAEA inspectors had failed to find evidence of the fact that Tehran was developing its own nuclear weapons, and that it was therefore violating basic provisions of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty over the last two years. However, the issue of Iranian nuclear programs became considerably more topical after the signing of the Iranian-Russian agreement on the return of spent nuclear fuel. Consequently, the session of the IAEA Board of Governors had to focus on this issue, while overlooking Egyptian and North Korean nuclear projects.

According to the source, the session of the IAEA Board of Governors will conduct a benevolent discussion as regards the signing of the Russian-Iranian agreement on the return of spent nuclear fuel because Russia now undertakes to control nuclear fuel being received by Iran for the development of its power industry, so that such fissionable materials will not be used for military purposes.

In conclusion, the IAEA Board of Governors plans to pass yet another resolution on Iranian nuclear programs. According to RIA Novosti's interlocutor, this resolution will virtually repeat the previous document, containing some insignificant nuances.

The IAEA Board of Governors comprises 35 members being elected by the IAEA general conference every September. The Board of Governors holds its sessions five times a year. The Board of Governors includes such countries as Russia, China, the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Pakistan, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, South Africa, Algeria, Tunisia, Great Britain, Venezuela, Vietnam, India and others.

Canada's permanent ambassador to international organizations in Vienna Ingrid Hall was elected as chairperson of the IAEA Board of Governors for the 2004-2005 period.

The IAEA Board of Governors will hold its session from February 28 until March 2.