Brave new world of Iranian nuclear cooperation

[laststeamtrain]

Source: Asia Times Online

Brave new world of Iranian nuclear cooperation
By Kaveh L Afrasiabi

Iran's objective of getting its nuclear dossier out of the hands of the United Nations Security Council and back to its "proper forum", the International Atomic Energy Agency, was leapfrogged last week by the IAEA's high-level visit to Iran that culminated in a "serious and substantial" agreement heralding a new level of Iran-IAEA cooperation.


Heinonen, said that Iran agreed on four or five steps. "If the cooperation continues like this, we hope that the problems will be solved, not now but in a reasonable future," Heinonen has been quoted as saying.

If all goes as planned, Iran and the IAEA will draw up a plan of action within the next 60 days to resolve all the "outstanding issues", which include "information relevant to the assembly of centrifuges, the manufacture of centrifuge components ... and research and development of centrifuges or enrichment techniques".

In addition, Iran has agreed to the IAEA's inspection of the heavy-water reactor under construction in Arak, as well as to short-notice inspection of the uranium-enrichment facility in Natanz - "beyond the provisions of its agreement with the IAEA", according to Iran's envoy to the IAEA, Ali Asghar Soltanieh. He was quick to add that IAEA cameras are in place in Natanz, that regular IAEA inspections have been taking place in accordance with Iran's arrangements with the agency, and that Heinonen has stated on record that the IAEA "has no concern about diversion at Natanz".

Read more: http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/IG18Ak02.html

[AndyA]

1. Whatever will Bush/Cheney do to continue their war mongering?

North Korea is being cooperative, and now THIS! What an insult to Bushco! Whatever are they going to do if Iran also cooperates? How will they justify the high gas prices then?