IAEA calls for diplomacy resolution to Iran nuclear issue

Source: CCTV.com | 01-26-2007 16:16

The director general of the UN watchdog, International Atomic Energy Agency, calls for diplomatic resolution to the Iran nuclear issue. Mohamed ElBaradei makes the call in an address to the the World Economic Forum in Switzerland.

The IAEA chief doesn't rule out force completely. But his Thursday speech stresses force should be held in abeyance until the path to peaceful resolution is explored fully.

Mohammed Elbaradei, director general of the IAEA, said, "I'm not excluding that at some time you have to use pressure, you have to use force, but that's only you have exhausted all other possible remedies, and when force is the only and best means available to you, and for example in the case of Iran, we are absolutely far far away from that. I still believe that the only solution to the Iranian issue, which is in our hands right now is dialogue, negotiation, it's engagement by the neighbours, and by all the relevant parties. The Arab countries have to be engaged, the U.S. has to be engaged, we need to try that, we need to invest in peace"

Editor:Du Xiaodan