Iran nuclear programme back in the spotlight

NEW YORK – The International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) board of governors meets tomorrow to consider whether to discuss Iran’s nuclear programme, which Tehran says is purely peaceful but Western countries fear is a disguised bomb project.

On November 16, Iran began processing a new supply of uranium despite Western calls on it to stop all sensitive atomic work. The IAEA said on Friday Iran had handed its investigators a document that diplomats said contained part of a primer for making the kernel of a nuclear bomb.Iran said it received the document unsolicited and had no intent to use it militarily.Western countries are concerned Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons under cover of a civilian energy programme.Iran denies wanting weaponry and says it is solely interested in nuclear power generation.Following are details about the key members of the IAEA’s top policy body and their positions on the Iran issue: * The European Union’s three biggest powers, or “EU3” – France, Britain and Germany – want Iran to resume a suspension of all uranium conversion work in exchange for reviving talks on political and economic incentives for such a move.Iran has so far dismissed the idea, insisting on its sovereign right to pursue its own nuclear energy cycle as a party to the 1970 Non-Proliferation Treaty, but says it welcomes negotiations.* If Moscow’s initiative goes nowhere, the EU3 and Washington would like Iran’s case referred to the UN Security Council, which could impose economic sanctions.Russia and China, heavyweight board members, oppose referral and, as permanent Security Council members, could veto sanctions.* Japan, Australia, Canada and EU countries support the US and EU3 hard line on Iran.* Developing countries on the board, led by South Africa, Brazil and Argentina, fear the effort to force Iran to give up sensitive nuclear activities could set a precedent curbing their own nuclear programmes, and so object to it.Sentiment on the board against referral may have risen with the recent entry of new members such as US adversaries Syria and Cuba.* The IAEA groups 35 countries.They seek to reach decisions unanimously, only holding a vote if consensus looks impossible.- The members in 2005-06 are Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Britain, Canada, China, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, India, Indonesia, Japan, Libya, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Syria, United States, Venezuela and Yemen.-Nampa-ReutersThe IAEA said on Friday Iran had handed its investigators a document that diplomats said contained part of a primer for making the kernel of a nuclear bomb.Iran said it received the document unsolicited and had no intent to use it militarily.Western countries are concerned Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons under cover of a civilian energy programme.Iran denies wanting weaponry and says it is solely interested in nuclear power generation.Following are details about the key members of the IAEA’s top policy body and their positions on the Iran issue: * The European Union’s three biggest powers, or “EU3” – France, Britain and Germany – want Iran to resume a suspension of all uranium conversion work in exchange for reviving talks on political and economic incentives for such a move.Iran has so far dismissed the idea, insisting on its sovereign right to pursue its own nuclear energy cycle as a party to the 1970 Non-Proliferation Treaty, but says it welcomes negotiations.* If Moscow’s initiative goes nowhere, the EU3 and Washington would like Iran’s case referred to the UN Security Council, which could impose economic sanctions.Russia and China, heavyweight board members, oppose referral and, as permanent Security Council members, could veto sanctions.* Japan, Australia, Canada and EU countries support the US and EU3 hard line on Iran.* Developing countries on the board, led by South Africa, Brazil and Argentina, fear the effort to force Iran to give up sensitive nuclear activities could set a precedent curbing their own nuclear programmes, and so object to it.Sentiment on the board against referral may have risen with the recent entry of new members such as US adversaries Syria and Cuba.* The IAEA groups 35 countries.They seek to reach decisions unanimously, only holding a vote if consensus looks impossible.- The members in 2005-06 are Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Britain, Canada, China, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, India, Indonesia, Japan, Libya, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Syria, United States, Venezuela and Yemen.-Nampa-Reuters