Nuclear head singles out Iran and Syria 'special cases'
Monday 07 June 2010
Printable
EmailThe head of the International Atomic Energy Agency has singled out Iran as a "special case" for his monitoring teams because of Western suspicions that it might be hiding nuclear weapons programmes.
IAEA chief Yukiya Amano faulted both Islamist Iran and Ba'athist Syria - also suspected of hiding nuclear activities that could be used to make weapons - for holding back on co-operation with his agency.
At the start of the UN nuclear watchdog's 35-nation board meeting in Vienna, Mr Amano said: "Iran is a special case because of the existence of issues related to the possible military dimensions to its nuclear programme."
He said that Tehran had "not provided the necessary co-operation to permit the agency to confirm that all nuclear material in Iran is in peaceful activities."
As for Syria, it had "not co-operated with the agency since June 2008 in connection with the unresolved issues related to the Dair Alzour site," he said, referring to a facility that was destroyed in a 2007 Israeli air raid.
If you have enjoyed this article then please consider donating to the Morning Star's Fighting Fund to ensure we can keep publishing your paper.
Editorial
Give peace a chance
Argentinian President Cristina Fernandez has given David Cameron a lesson in diplomacy in her speech to mark the 30th anniversary of the Falklands/Malvinas military conflict.
Features
A generation betrayed
The blame for rising youth unemployment lies in Tory economic policy, says Jeremy Corbyn
Washington: The enemy of free speech
John Pilger on how the Establishment has hounded WikiLeaks whistleblowers