Iran Says Full Co-operation with IAEA Not Necessary
February 26, 2004
World Markets Research Centre
Trude Strand
Following criticism over its apparent failure to declare all activities associated with the country's atomic energy programme, Hassan Rowhani, the head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, has stated that Iran is not obliged to declare all activities to UN watchdog IAEA.
Earlier this week, the IAEA warned Iran over its failure to report nuclear activities that may be weapons-related (see Iran: 25 February 2004: IAEA Says Iran Failed to Declare Nuclear Activities). Rowhani noted that an unspecified number of nuclear installations remain undeclared and that the Iranian authorities plan to declare them in due course, AFP reports. Iran has been subjected to growing pressure over its nuclear activities and has been warned by the IAEA that all activities must be made transparent and fully disclosed.
Significance: Rowhani's statements run contrary to Iran's stated aim to fully co-operate with the IAEA and follow IAEA head Mohammed El-Baradei's comments that despite seeing 'some good co-operation' from Iran since last October, 'more prompt, detailed information' is necessary. The latest claim that Iranian co-operation with the IAEA will take place according to Iran's schedule is likely to increase pressure from the US for the IAEA to forward the country's case to the UN Security Council.
http://www.wmrc.com/"Hassan Rowhani, the head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, has stated that Iran is not obliged to declare all activities to UN watchdog IAEA."
OHhhhh.......Nowww they tell us.........