Global General

Iran says it has right to vet UN nuclear inspectors

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-09-08 10:21

TEHERAN - Iran has asserted its rights to vet inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA) after claims by the UN watchdog group that its monitoring of nuclear facilities has been hampered by Tehran's exclusion of some of its staff.

"We have this right ... to change the inspectors as per their record," Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast told reporters on Tuesday.

Related readings:  Iran says not to abandon its nuclear rights  Japan increases sanctions against Iran  US crush Iran as Angola shock Germany  US, Israel and the Iran question

The Vienna-based IAEA in a new report released on Monday said Iran was complicating a long-running investigation into its controversial nuclear drive by vetoing the nomination of certain inspectors.

Earlier this year, Iran prohibited two IAEA inspectors from entering the country, accusing them of filing a "false report".

Speaking to the ISNA news agency late on Monday, atomic chief Ali Akbar Salehi said Iran had barred the two inspectors because they had filed reports that "were contrary to reality".

He charged that the IAEA itself had privately acknowledged there was some legitimacy to Iran's complaint, but had refused to admit it publicly.

"It is our right to choose inspectors as it is the right of all members of the IAEA," ISNA quoted Salehi as saying.

Salehi added that even the IAEA was of the "opinion that the two inspectors gave reports contrary to reality, but it does not want to admit it".

He stressed that Iran had accepted both replacement inspectors that the IAEA had nominated.

In its report, IAEA officials said "repeated objection by Iran to the designation of inspectors with experience in Iran's nuclear fuel cycle and facilities hampers the inspection process."

It "detracts from the agency's capability to implement effective and efficient safeguards in Iran," the UN watchdog said.

The vetoing of certain inspectors "makes our work more difficult" because new inspectors need time to gain knowledge and experience of Iran's nuclear program," said a senior diplomat familiar with the IAEA's Iran investigation.

"But it also adds to pressure on the inspectors. Some may feel unsure, they may fear being kicked out of the country" if the Iranians do not agree with their findings, the diplomat said.

Salehi said that inspection of Iran's heavy water plant in the central city of Arak was "not within the bilateral agreement between Iran and the IAEA".

"If the IAEA convinces us ... that they must inspect Iran's heavy water installation and the heavy water produced there", he said, "I will allow inspectors to come."

China called on Iran to fully cooperate with the IAEA to assure the international community that the country's nuclear program was peaceful in nature.

"China has taken notice of the IAEA report," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu said in a news conference on Tuesday.

"We hope parties concerned would increase efforts and resume related dialogues and negotiations as soon as possible, to seek a comprehensive, long-term and appropriate solution to the issue."

Iran had allowed IAEA officials to inspect the facility in August 2009.

World powers fear that Iran could configure the Arak plant in a way to help make an atom bomb, but Teheran says the reactor is planned to make isotopes only for agricultural and health purposes.

Heavy water reactors do not need enriched uranium fuel to function.

Agence France-Presse

Xinhua