 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Iran Sends Conflicting Signals On Nuclear Work
Tehran, Jan 27 (AFP) Jan 27, 2007 Iran gave conflicting signals on its disputed nuclear work on Saturday with the Islamic republic's atomic energy agency denying Tehran has started to install 3,000 centrifuges to enrich uranium. "No new centrifuge machines have been installed in the Natanz facility," Hossein Cimorgh, public relations director of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organisation, was quoted as saying by IRNA news agency. He was responding to an earlier statement by the head of parliament's foreign affairs and national security commission, Alaeddin Borujerdi, who said: "We are now installing the 3,000 centrifuges," according to IRNA. "God willing it will be finished in due time," the senior MP said, without giving details on the work which Iran has said was scheduled to be completed by the end of March. The UN Security Council has imposed sanctions to pressure Iran to stop uranium enrichment, which makes fuel for civilian nuclear reactors but also the explosive core of atom bombs. Tehran says its nuclear programme is a peaceful effort to generate electricity but the United States claims that Iran is hiding work on developing atomic weapons. The Security Council has said that if Iran freezes enrichment, then sanctions could be lifted. But Iran says it is planning to increase its enrichment capacity by installing the 3,000 centrifuges, the machines which enrich uranium, at an underground facility in Natanz. It is already running two pilot cascades of 164-centrifuges each at a pilot site above-ground in Natanz, but the larger project would raise the work to an industrial scale. Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki earlier Saturday defended Iran's decision to bar 38 inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), saying the move was within its legal rights. "We decide about our cooperation considering the rights enshrined for members. Legally speaking, the decisions taken will not create any problems in our relations with the IAEA," Mottaki told reporters. Iran announced on Monday it was blocking 38 UN nuclear watchdog inspectors from entering the country in reprisal for the sanctions. In December, parliament adopted a bill requiring the government to revise its cooperation with the IAEA in retaliation for the Security Council imposing limited sanctions on Iran. Mottaki's comments came after a group of three IAEA inspectors arrived in Tehran on Friday for a week-long stay to visit Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites in central Iran, IRNA said. Iran has also sent a letter to the agency asking for the removal of Christian Charlier, a Belgian official overseeing the IAEA's inspection of its nuclear programme, for alleged leaks to the press.
earlier related report He was speaking in response to an earlier statement by the head of parliament's foreign affairs and national security commission, Alaeddin Borujerdi, who said: "We are now installing the 3,000 centrifuges," according to IRNA. "God willing it will be finished in due time," the official said, without giving details on the work which is scheduled to be completed by the end of March. The UN Security Council has imposed sanctions to pressure Iran to stop uranium enrichment, which makes fuel for civilian nuclear reactors but also the explosive core of atom bombs. Tehran says its nuclear programme is a peaceful effort to generate electricity but the United States claims the Islamic republic is hiding work on developing atomic weapons. The Security Council has said that if Iran freezes enrichment, then sanctions could be lifted. But Iran is planning to increase its enrichment capacity by installing the 3,000 centrifuges, the machines which enrich uranium, at an underground facility in Natanz. It is already running two pilot cascades of 164-centrifuges each at a pilot site above-ground in Natanz.
earlier related report "We decide about our cooperation considering the rights enshrined for members. Legally speaking, the decisions taken will not create any problems in our relations with the IAEA," Mottaki told reporters when asked whether Iran would remove the ban. Iran said member states of the IAEA have a right to reject inspectors they do not deem fit after on Monday announcing it was blocking 38 UN nuclear watchdog inspectors from entering the country in reprisal for UN Security Council sanctions. In December, the Iranian parliament adopted a bill requiring the government to revise its cooperation with the IAEA in retaliation for the UN Security Council imposing limited sanctions on Iran for its refusal to suspend uranium enrichment work. Uranium enrichment is the process which can make nuclear fuel as well as the fissile core of an atom bomb in highly purified forms. Mottaki's comments came after a group of three IAEA inspectors arrived in Tehran on Friday for a week-long stay to visit Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites in central Iran, the official IRNA news agency said. Iran has also sent a letter to the agency asking for the removal of Christian Charlier, a senior Belgian official overseeing the IAEA's inspection of the Iranian nuclear programme, for alleged leaks to the press. Iran says the programme is a peaceful effort to generate electricity but the United States claims Tehran is hiding work on developing atomic weapons.
Source: Agence France-Presse Related Links Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com All about missiles at SpaceWar.com Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com
US Warns Iran Of Global Wrath If It Cranks Up Nuclear Capacity
Washington (AFP) Jan 27, 2007The United States warned Iran of "universal" opposition if it proceeds with plans to beef up its nuclear capacity by installing at least 3,000 centrifuges at a key atomic plant. Already facing UN sanctions over its sensitive nuclear program, Tehran announced recently it wanted to install "even more" than 3,000 centrifuges to enrich uranium at its Natanz underground facility. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright Space.TV Corporation. AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space.TV Corp on any Web page published or hosted by Space.TV Corp. Privacy Statement |
