U.S. Unnecessarily Raising a Furor About Iran's Nuclear Program: IAEA Spokesperson

October 2, 2003 - 0:0
TEHRAN (Mehr News Agency) -- The U.S. is trying to create a commotion about Iran's nuclear energy program, but the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will make no comment on the claims by the U.S. or any other IAEA member against Iran, a spokesperson of the agency said on Wednesday.

Melissa Fleming told the Mehr News Agency over the phone that the U.S. always creates a furor about international problems instead of trying to devise solutions.

However, the UN nuclear watchdog only declares its positions toward Iran's nuclear activities once the reports of its inspectors are finalized, Fleming said.

She added that the IAEA is not responsible for the claims of member states, stressing that these claims are not approved by IAEA Director Mohamed ElBaradei.

Fleming expressed regret about the recent remarks by certain Iranian officials, who said that Tehran should withdraw from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

She said that the IAEA does not want any of the NPT signatories to withdraw from the treaty and will do everything that it can to prevent that from happening.

She highlighted the importance of the NPT in promoting the cause of world peace, stressing that international security will never be realized if countries fail to sign the treaty.

Fleming expressed hope that Iran would increase the transparency of its nuclear energy activities and that Iran would gain the trust of the international community by the end of October so that its case is not forwarded to the UN Security Council.

She highlighted the need for Iran to fully cooperate with the IAEA in order to prove that its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes.

The Islamic Republic is a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), but the IAEA is refusing to provide Iran with the nuclear expertise that it is entitled to receive according to the terms of the NPT.

Iran says that before signing the additional protocol to the NPT it needs to receive guarantees that the sanctions imposed by the West are removed and that the Islamic Republic will be provided with nuclear technology to satisfy its energy needs.

The IAEA Board of Governors last month set an October 31 deadline for Iran to prove its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

The resolution that was submitted by Canada, Japan and Australia also calls on Tehran to suspend its uranium enrichment program.