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Iran-EU: Thousands call for mullahs' referral to UN Security Council |
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Thursday, 24 November 2005 |
 EU accusing Tehran of possessing documents used solely for the production of nuclear arms
NCRI, Vienna – Thousands of supporters of the Iranian Resistance
called on IAEA board of governors here today to refer Iranian nuclear
file to the UN Security Council for adoption of sanctions against the
clerical regime in Iran.
In the meantime a statement made available to the Associated Press
today, the European Union is accusing Iran of possessing documents used
solely for the production of nuclear arms and is warning of possible
referral to the U.N. Security Council.
The press statement, made available before planned delivery later in
the day, was described by a diplomat as a summary of what Britain,
France and Germany would tell a closed session of the International
Atomic Energy Agency board which began meeting today.
The statement said the EU would accuse Iran of possessing suspicious
documents that "have no other application than the production of
nuclear weapons."
"Failure to make progress" on easing international concerns about
Iran's nuclear program "will hasten the day when the board decides that
a report to the Security Council must be made," said the statement to
be delivered by Peter Jenkins, the chief British delegate to the IAEA.
The European Union also reserves the right to call an emergency board
meeting before the next scheduled gathering in March — for possible
Security Council referral — "if Iranian behavior makes it necessary,"
said the statement.
The statement alluded to new revelations of concern contained in a
report drawn up for the board meeting by IAEA head Mohamed ElBaradei,
including a finding showing the Iranians in possession of what appeared
to be drawings of the core of an atomic warhead.
But the main issue is Iran's refusal to give up its right to uranium
enrichment, which can be used to generate power but also to make
weapons-grade material for nuclear warheads. Iran says it wants only to
make fuel, but international concern is growing that the program could
be misused.
A plan floated in recent weeks foresees moving any Iranian enrichment
plan to Russia. There, in theory, Moscow would supervise the process to
make sure enrichment is only to fuel levels.
But Iran insists it wants to control the complete fuel cycle domestically.
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki told reporters in Tehran on
Wednesday that, while his country was willing to resume formal talks
with key European powers on its nuclear program, "naturally we aim to
have enrichment on Iran's territory."
For months, Iran has relied on Beijing and Moscow, Security Council
members with veto power, to fend off a U.S.-backed push to have it
hauled before the council.
While the Americans and Europeans have opted not to lobby for referral
at Thursday's meeting of the IAEA board, they could resume their
efforts at a later board session if they judge that the Russians,
Chinese and other key nations will not stand in their way.
The EU statement made available to the AP said Iran's "failure to
provide full transparency ... continues to undermine its claim that its
program is exclusively peaceful in nature."
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