IAEA suspends technical nuclear aids to Iran

Source: Xinhuanet | 01-18-2007 16:31

VIENNA, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- The International Atomic Energy Agency has temporarily suspended some technical nuclear aid projects to Iran in comply with the a UN Security Council resolution, Austria News Agency reported on Wednesday.

Moreover, according to a statement of IAEA spokeswoman Melissa Fleming, all of the aid projects are also being thoroughly examined by the IAEA.

Although the United States is facing opposition and resistance from traditional U.S. allies in the European Union and many developing countries, some western diplomats said that Washington still made pressure and pushed to reduce at least half of the aid projects.

As to the question whether Iran are putting efforts to produce nuclear weapons or develop nuclear electricity, Gregory Schulte, the U.S. envoy in the IAEA, answered "Iran is developing the capability to produce both."

UN Security Council 1737 was passed on Dec. 23 to impose sanctions on Iran and urges Tehran to suspend the enrichment activities, prohibiting transfers of sensitive nuclear materials to Iran. However, Iranian officials have rejected the resolution and vowed to install 3,000 centrifuges by March 2007.

Until last month, the IAEA has about 65 nuclear aid projects to Iran and neighboring countries to bolster peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and more than 15 aid projects among them are specifically set for Iran.

Due to current disagreement between the United States and other countries, a final permanent strategy to technical nuclear aids to Iran are expected to be discussed in the next IAEA board meeting to be held here on March 5.

Editor:Du Xiaodan