IAEA meeting on Iran

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Source: CCTV.com | 11-23-2007 08:17

Director General of the IAEA Mohamed ElBaradei and Chairman Milenko Skoknic from Chile arrive for the International Atomic Energy Agency's, IAEA, 35-nation board meeting at Vienna's International Center, on Thursday, Nov. 22, 2007. (AP Photo/Hans Punz)

The UN nuclear watchdog says Iran is clarifying atomic development efforts on schedule but Tehran needs to step up cooperation to resolve remaining questions.

A report on Iran's nuclear programme is being discussed at a meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors in Vienna.

IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei has summarized report findings on Iran but differences simmer over whether the country's improved transparency is cause for hope or further skepticism.

The IAEA report gives Tehran mixed marks. It suggests Iran has told the truth about its black market purchases of centrifuge technology used to enrich uranium.

But it points out the IAEA is unable to check the status of centrifuge development until Iran restores full inspection rights to agency experts.

Aliasghar Soltaniyeh, Iran's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) ambassador, is surrounded by journalists at the beginning of a board of governors meeting in Vienna November 22, 2007.  REUTERS/Herwig Prammer (AUSTRIA)

Mohamed ElBaradei, IAEA Director General, said, "Our progress over the past two months has been made possible by an increased level of cooperation on the part of Iran, in accordance with the work plan. However, I would continue to urge Iran to be more proactive in providing information, and in accelerating the pace of this cooperation, in order for the Agency to be able to clarify all major remaining outstanding issues by the end of the year."

Meanwhile, Iran's envoy to the IAEA told reporters the agency's report shows Iran has been truthful about its nuclear activities. He has also warned against further sanctions proposed by western countries.

The US and some of its allies say they will press for new UN sanctions unless Iran suspends its uranium enrichment program.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei