Posted on 11/01/2004 5:43:17 PM PST by traumer
The UN's chief weapons inspector says North Korea is presenting a serious challenge to attempts to limit the world's nuclear weapons. Mohammed ElBaradei, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, says the body's inspectors must be allowed back into the country.
He called on North Korea to rejoin the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty it left two years ago.
Mr ElBaradei also urged Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment programme.
His comments came in his annual report to the United Nations General Assembly.
Assurance sought
He said he was "frustrated" that Pyongyang was refusing to take part in six-party talks on the dismantling of its nuclear programme.
He said the international community would be ready to respond to the North Koreans' economic and humanitarian needs, "but a prerequisite is for them to commit themselves to full, verifiable, dismantlement of their weapons programme".
Even if the project were not to be dismantled, he said, North Korea should allow "a comprehensive verification by the IAEA to assure ourselves that this programme is exclusively peaceful".
On Iran, Mr ElBaradei said he thought Tehran would be willing to suspend uranium enrichment if Europe agreed to supply fuel for Iran's planned power plants. Then, he said, there would be no need for Iran to enrich its own uranium.
"Whether that will be ultimately a total suspension, or something else, I think this very much depends on the kind of framework to be agreed with the Europeans," he said.
Talks between Iran and major European countries are ongoing.
On Sunday, Iranian parliamentarians approved a draft bill that would oblige the government to resume uranium enrichment, as it has said it will.
However, Iran's most senior nuclear negotiator, Hossein Mousavian, said a compromise was still possible.
Mr ElBaradei also said he wanted nuclear inspections in Iraq to resume "as soon as the security situation permits".
Typical UN yellow bellied coward's way out.
This is probably the NYtimes story.
More arm-waving by the U.N. El-B still trying to influence the American election?
his threat amounts to a popcorn fart.
They will send an angry letter to North Korea..
Good thing under his watch Pakistan didn't get nukes -- India didn't get nukes -- North Korea didn't get nukes. And now he promises Iran won't get nukes. I am just not sure of his track record.
Chin music.
How weird. I see you put ElBaradei.. and I immediately thought Rush Limabaugh EIB *LOL*
Good. It seems that Powell's call last week, warning him NOT to meddle with US politics worked a bit. He didn't put missing explosives as the centerpiece of his speech.
Perhaps even a stern rebuke.
Tell Baradei to talk to Clinton, see if its time to send them some more rods fro their nuclear plants.
"his threat amounts to a popcorn fart."
...or an Al Qaqaa dump (I laugh every time).
Yeah, it went something like this: "Bush is getting re-elected!"
I guess the UN Armed forces don't represent much of a threat to North Korea. Maybe he should try insulting them a second time'a.
...or an Al Qaqaa dump (I laugh every time).
im now laughing. hope to be laughing on Wednesday too.
That Kerry would put us under UN control makes me want to puke. Where's the barf bag?
This is the same UN weasel who made up that BS about the alleged 380 tons of explosives. He's a major Bush-basher and in league with the MSM.
EL-B call out the UN army to back you up.Ha-Ha-Ha
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.