| The head of the United Nations agency | | | | Iran says its activities are solely for |
| entrusted with curbing the spread of nuclear | | | | peaceful energy purposes but the United |
| weapons said today he did not expect any | | | | States and other countries insist that it is |
| "breakthrough" or "positive agreement" on | | | | clandestinely seeking to produce nuclear |
| Iran's nuclear programme at the current | | | | weapons. In August Iran rescinded its |
| meeting of the atomic watchdog's Board of | | | | voluntary suspension of nuclear fuel |
| Governors now under way in Vienna. | | | | conversion, which can produce the enriched |
| | | | uranium necessary either for nuclear power |
| "Unfortunately the picture is still hazy as | | | | generation or for nuclear weapons. |
| to the scope and nature of Iran's nuclear | | | | |
| programme," International Atomic Energy | | | | As he has repeatedly over the past three |
| Agency (IAEA) Director-General Mohamed | | | | years, Mr. ElBaradei called on Iran to |
| ElBaradei told reporters before formally | | | | provide "maximum transparency," urging it to |
| presenting his latest report to the Board. | | | | again freeze its research and development |
| | | | activities until a solution is found. |
| He said IAEA had not seen indications of | | | | |
| diversion of nuclear material to nuclear | | | | "Regrettably, however, after three years of |
| weapons or other nuclear explosive devices | | | | intensive verification, there remain |
| during its inspections. | | | | uncertainties with regard to both the scope |
| | | | and the nature of Iran's nuclear programme," |
| But he warned that there were still a number | | | | he said in formally presenting the report to |
| of "important uncertainties" that need to be | | | | the Board. |
| clarified about the programme, which has been | | | | |
| a matter of international concern ever since | | | | "As I mentioned in my report, this is a |
| the discovery in 2003 that Iran had concealed | | | | matter of concern that continues to give rise |
| its nuclear activities for 18 years in breach | | | | to questions about the past and current |
| of its obligations under the Nuclear | | | | direction of Iran's nuclear programme. For |
| Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). | | | | confidence to be built in the peaceful nature |
| | | | of Iran's programme, Iran should do its |
| "I do not expect the Board to adopt a | | | | utmost to provide maximum transparency and |
| resolution on the Iranian issue unless there | | | | build confidence." |
| is a breakthrough and unless there is a | | | | |
| positive agreement," Mr. ElBaradei said. "As | | | | But he also warned against confrontation. |
| things stand I do not expect the Board to | | | | "The only solution I see is a comprehensive |
| adopt a resolution." | | | | agreement that covers the nuclear issue, the |
| | | | security issue, the economic issue and |
| He added that as requested by the Board in | | | | political issue," he told reporters. |
| February he would transmit his latest report | | | | "Confrontation could be counterproductive. It |
| to the Security Council, which has the power | | | | would not provide us with a durable solution. |
| to impose economic sanctions. "There is | | | | |
| universal recognition that this is an issue | | | | "The earlier that we bring the parties back |
| of serious implication to international peace | | | | to the negotiating table the better for |
| and security," he stressed. "The whole Middle | | | | everybody. Meantime I call on all parties to |
| East security is very much at stake." | | | | exercise maximum restraint in their public |
| | | | statements. |