NYT/AP: U.N. Agency Inspectors Arrive in Iran

[DeepModem Mom]

U.N. Agency Inspectors Arrive in Iran
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: April 8, 2006

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Five inspectors from the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency have arrived in Iran visit its uranium enrichment and reprocessing facilities, state-run television reported Saturday.

Iran's deputy nuclear chief Mohammad Saeedi said the inspectors would visit the Natanz uranium enrichment plant and the Isfahan Uranium Conversion Facility, both in central Iran, later Saturday.

The scheduled inspection comes ahead of a key visit to Iran by Mohamed ElBaradei, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency. ElBaradei is expected to visit next week to try to wrest concessions from Iran on its atomic program, diplomats and officials said Friday.

The official Islamic Republic News Agency said the IAEA chief might arrive in Iran as early as Sunday or Monday.

The five inspectors, who arrived Friday, will stay in Iran for five days, state-run television reported....

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/world/AP-Iran-Nuclear.html

[54anickel]

1. And there's the set up - last paragraph...

If Iran commits to some Security Council requests but does not meet demands to freeze uranium enrichment that might placate Russia and China, which oppose tough measures against Iran. It would, however, fall short of the full compliance sought by the United States, France and Britain on enrichment and other issues.

[oblivious]

7. The AP conveniently does not define "full compliance".

Iran is in full compliance with the NPT, which is all it legally has to be, but the AP means in full compliance with what the US and E3 want.

[bemildred]

8. Yep, and there is no deadline.

But otherwise, this story is reasonably accurate.

[bemildred]

2. Iran should give the inspectors permanent residences at Natanz

and the other places, as prophylzxis against bombing.

[mom cat]

3. No. We need to hold the current administration there. Permanently!

[bemildred]

9. Jeb. nt

[eppur_se_muova]

4. Iran nuclear checks set to start (BBC)

***
The UN has given Iran a 30-day deadline to freeze its research. Tehran insists it has every right to the work as its nuclear intentions are peaceful.
***
"ElBaradei will hold talks with a number of Iranian officials during his stay and Iran's outstanding issues with the IAEA will be discussed," said the statement, reported by state news agency IRNA.

A senior official at the watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, said Mr ElBaradei would meet senior Iranian officials for talks on confidence-building measures.

The visit would provide Iran with an opportunity to come forward with information required by the IAEA "to fill in the gaps in the history of Iran's nuclear activities", the official said.
***
more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4891730.stm

[CatholicEdHead]

5. Here is a REALLY good podcast on the history of Iran's program

I guess when the Shah was there, Cheney et al pushed for Iran to build nuclear plants (by their connections of course) to replace their internal burning of their fossil fuel supply. This was pre-1979 revolution, oh how times change.

http://www.abc.net.au/rn/rearvision/stories/2006/1586988.htm

[DeepModem Mom]

6. Thanks, CEH!