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Sunday, February 24, 2008       Free Headline Alerts

IAEA looks at U.S. evidence, rules there is no 'indication' Iran building nukes

LONDON — The International Atomic Energy Agency has refused to determine that evidence provided by the United States of an Iranian nuclear weapons project constituted Teheran's intention to assemble an atomic bomb.

An IAEA report issued on Feb. 22 to member-states acknowledged that a schematic diagram found on a laptop computer of an Iranian technician could be effective in nuclear weapons delivery. But the 11-page report stopped short of saying that the diagram was that of a nuclear warhead, Middle East Newsline reported.

"This layout has been assessed by the agency as quite likely to be able to accommodate a nuclear device," the agency report said.

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The report examined evidence submitted by the United States on Feb. 15 that stemmed from the laptop of an Iranian technician with access to Teheran's nuclear program. The documents presented to the agency included reports of Iranian tests to fire multiple detonators simultaneously in a 10-kilometer shaft 400 meters underground.

The agency said some of the documents were "relevant to nuclear weapon R&D [research and development.]" But the report did not deem any of the evidence as proof of an Iranian nuclear weapons program.

"I should however add that in connection with the weaponization studies, we have not seen any indication that these studies were linked to nuclear material," IAEA director-general Mohammed El Baradei said. "So that gives us some satisfaction, but the issue is still critical for us to be able to come to a determination as to the nature of Iran's nuclear program."

At the same time, IAEA expressed satisfaction with Iranian cooperation. The report said Teheran, which continues to enrich uranium, has answered several questions submitted years ago by the United Nations agency.

"In the last four months, in particular, we have made quite good progress in clarifying the outstanding issues that had to do with Iran's past nuclear activities, with the exception of one issue, and that is the alleged weaponization studies that supposedly Iran has conducted in the past," El Baradei said. "We have managed to clarify all the remaining outstanding issues, including the most important issue, which is the scope and nature of Iran's enrichment program."

The report was issued as the United States plans to host the permanent members of the UN Security Council to discuss Iran's nuclear program. Representatives from Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia were scheduled to arrive in Washington on Feb. 25.

El Baradei said Iran has provided agency inspectors with access to many alleged nuclear sites. He again called on Teheran to sign the so-called Additional Protocol of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which allows for spot inspections by IAEA.

"Definitely the agency will continue to do as much as we can to make sure that we also contribute to the confidence-building process with regard to the past and present nuclear activities in Iran, but naturally, we can not provide assurance about future intentions," El Baradei said. "That is inherently a diplomatic process that needs the engagement of all the parties."



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