• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Diplomat: Uranium enrichment not in contradiction with NPT

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Vienna, May 25, IRNA
Iran-Nuclear-Diplomat
An Austrian diplomat said here Wednesday that uranium enrichment by the signatories to the nuclear Non- Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is not in contradiction with the nature of the Treaty.

The diplomat, who wanted not to be named told IRNA that certain countries' sensitivity towards uranium enrichment was only caused by a political fear.

The source called continued suspension of the uranium enrichment by Iran "positive", saying that nuclear talks between European Union (EU) and Iran in Geneva, Switzerland, on Wednesday is a positive evidence of the two sides' good will.

The Austrian diplomat hoped that the talks would produce good results.

He further hoped that the EU proposals on settlement of Iran's nuclear crisis would be accepted by Tehran and a mechanism acceptable to both sides would be devised to solve the problem.

The nuclear expert said in case of the failure of the EU-Iran nuclear talks, the US proposal would certainly receive stronger support in the next meeting of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The diplomat added that whether the US proposal would be supported is a question whose answer would be made known with the passage of time.

On recognition of the right for IAEA member states to take possession of nuclear fuel cycle for peaceful purposes, the diplomat said there are different interpretations of the NPT's article four.

The western diplomat said the US wants to restrict implementation of the NPT's article four. One of the terms is implementation of the additional protocol, said the diplomat, adding that a new
interpretation is not supported by many members who agree to its traditional interpretation.

Article four of the NPT says no point in the treaty should be interpreted in a way that would affect the absolute right of the NPT signatories in conducting research, production and peaceful use of nuclear energy, he said, adding that the issue should be dealt with without any discrimination and in accordance with articles one and two of the treaty.

A solution should be found for all the countries that are willing to have access to nuclear fuel cycle, including Iran, the diplomat concluded.

1420/1412
::IRNA No.054 25/05/2005 17:10 --End