Brussels, 06/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - Speaking on Monday 5 September, EU High Representative Catherine Ashton said the Iranian proposal to allow the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) to supervise its nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of sanctions was insufficient. Michael Mann, the spokesman, said “Iran still has to comply with its international obligations, despite today's announcement”, AFP reports.
Catherine Ashton made a number of proposals on behalf of the 5+1 group (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - United States, Russia, France, UK, China - plus Germany) with a view to restoring confidence and to lifting international sanctions. Ashton's spokesman said that, unfortunately, Iran has to date not accepted the offer of beginning significant negotiation. UN Security Council resolutions in force provide for sanctions to be lifted once confidence has been restored, he underlined, saying Iran must comply with all its international obligations including requests made by the UN Security Council and the governing council of the IAEA in order to dispel doubts prevailing over the nature of its nuclear programme. Despite repeated denials on the part of Tehran, the major powers fear that Iran's civilian nuclear programme conceals military intentions, and increasingly severe sanctions have been imposed on Iran since 2007.
The head of the Iranian nuclear programme, Fereydoun Abbassi Davani, said on Monday that his country was willing to agree to complete surveillance of its nuclear programme by the IAEA during five years if international sanctions against the country are lifted. The IAEA has expressed growing concern about the possible existence in Iran of undeclared nuclear activity, past or present, involving military organisations. (L.C./transl.jl)