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Iran May Resume Uranium Enrichment
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iran threatened Wednesday to resume uranium enrichment if the U.N. nuclear watchdog gives in to pressures from the United States, which is seeking sanctions against Tehran.
| Hmmm, my new "WTF" model surprise meter didn't register. |
Iran agreed last year, under international pressure, to suspend uranium enrichment and allow intrusive inspection of its nuclear facilities. The United States and other nations accuse Iran of running a covert program to develop nuclear weapons and is pushing the United Nations to impose sanctions. Iran has rejected U.S. allegations, saying its nuclear program is geared only toward generating electricity. "If the International Atomic Energy Agency decides under U.S. pressure and doesn't investigate Iran's dossier with a legal outlook, we will take the necessary decisions," President Mohammad Khatami told reporters.
| After which we will make some decisions of our own. |
On Friday, Iran delivered a 1,000-page report that it said provides "all the information" the agency needs to draw a full picture. "The IAEA should not look for pretexts," Khatami said. "The problem is political pressure. We are sure that even if we respond to all the agency's demands, the United States will still look for excuses. We expect the IAEA not to give in to U.S. pressures."
Khatami said there was no reason for Iran to continue cooperation unilaterally in the nuclear dispute. "Cooperation is a two-way street. To show our goodwill, we voluntarily agreed to suspend enrichment. We are already enforcing additional protocol even if it has not been finalized." ... "We will resume enrichment if necessary," he warned.
In Washington, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said the United States "does not think it's appropriate to try to intimidate the atomic energy agency or its board into overlooking many failures of Iran to meet its nonproliferation commitments." He said the IAEA has documented 18 years of clandestine nuclear activity in Iran. "Tehran has repeatedly failed to declare significant and troubling aspects of its nuclear program," Boucher added.
| Time to crank up the revolution a notch. |
Posted by: Steve White 2004-05-28 |
