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IAEA Board Chairman's conclusion on sub-item 3(b)

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Vienna, Nov 25, IRNA
Iran-IAEA-Board
The Japanese Chairman of the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Board of Governors Yukiya Amano has drawn a conclusion on sub-item 3(b) and other safeguards
implementation issues after the Board's discussions on Iran's peaceful nuclear program.

The full text of the statement is as follows:
"I have no more speakers on my list. All comments will be duly reflected in the summary records of the meeting. Therefore, I will not sum up the discussion in detail.

"The Board took note of the Director General's report on the implementation of the NPT safeguards agreement in the Islamic Republic of Iran contained in document GOV/2005/87.

"Some Members stated that only modest progress had been made since September towards resolving questions arising from Iran's multiple failures, over an extended period of time, to declare nuclear material and activities in accordance with its safeguards obligations. They emphasized that cooperation on the part of Iran remained inadequate and that the continuing absence of full transparency was a matter of the utmost concern. They called on Iran to provide full transparency, beyond the provisions of Iran's NPT safeguards agreement and additional protocol, including providing information and documentation related to P-1 and P-2 centrifuges and dual-use equipment, as well as facilitating visits to relevant military-owned workshops and R&D locations. They expressed concern about the document which relates to the casting and machining of enriched uranium metal into hemispherical forms and requested that the Director General give priority to its investigation.

"Some Members continued to attach the highest importance to the full suspension of all enrichment-related activities while outstanding issues were addressed and confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear programme established. They expressed their regret that Iran continued to operate the UCF and was still pursuing construction of a heavy water research reactor.

They recalled the Board's resolution of 24 September 2005 and stated that at present the window of opportunity should remain open for Iran to adopt a responsive attitude to implement the
confidence-building measures called for by the Board, to refrain from any further unilateral move, such as resumption of enrichment activities at Natanz, which could aggravate the situation, and to respond faithfully to requests made in previous Board resolutions, before the Board would address the timing and content of
communications to the Security Council envisaged in that resolution.

Calls were made for Iran to resume the negotiating process with the EU-3 and support was expressed for the EU-3 effort to broaden the basis for an international consensus through additional elements in the negotiating process such as the recent Russian proposal.

"Some Members noted that Iran had been implementing the additional protocol and had been more forthcoming in respect of transparency measures. Iran had facilitated access to additional documentation, individuals and sites. They expressed their appreciation for all initiatives by other Member States aimed at facilitating the speedy conclusion of the Iranian nuclear issue within the framework of the Agency. They recognized that the Agency's work on verifying the peaceful nuclear programme of Iran is ongoing and encouraged Iran's further cooperation as a confidence-building measure. It was emphasized that those who have information on illicit supply networks, especially the countries from which these networks operated or sourced technology, should share all such information with the Agency and empower the Agency in every way possible to gain an understanding of how these networks operate.

They reiterated the basic and inalienable right of all Member States to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes in
conformity with their respective legal obligations. They referred to the link between non-proliferation and disarmament and
reiterated deep concern over the slow pace of progress towards nuclear disarmament. They re-emphasized the distinction between voluntary confidence building measures and legally binding safeguards obligations. They encouraged the resumption of
negotiations and cooperation between Iran and the EU-3 to promote mutual confidence with a view to facilitating the Agency's work on Iran's nuclear program. The importance of restraint and flexibility by all parties was noted.

"Some Members emphasized that addressing the issue of the implementation of the NPT safeguards agreement of Iran was closely linked to the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East, and reference was made in this regard to the Tehran Declaration of 2003. The importance of the implementation of international resolutions in relation to this matter was stressed.

"The Board reiterated its call that Iran ratify its additional protocol as a matter of urgency. The Board also reiterated its support for the resumption of negotiations between Iran and the EU-3. The Board encouraged Iran to provide further additional supporting documentation as requested by the Agency and to expand the transparency measures provided to the Agency.

"One Member State requested that the implementation of Iran's NPT safeguards agreement be formally included on the agenda for the next Board meeting and that the Director General provide a follow-up written report to the Board in advance of that meeting.

"The Board requested the Director General to continue to keep it informed of developments, as appropriate.

"Is this summing-up acceptable?
"It is so decided.

"May I take it that the Board authorizes the Director General's reported dated 18 November 2005 to be made available to the public? "It is so decided."
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