The Director General of the International
Atomic Energy Agency ElBaradei once again called on Iran to strengthen
cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency and increase the
transparency of nuclear activities to win the trust of the international
community.
ElBaradei held a brief press conference
after concluding the discussion on the Iranian nuclear issue at the
International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors meeting. He pointed out
that although there were considerable differences in opinions among the parties
during the discussion, there were also points of agreement, such as the need
for Iran to strengthen cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency
and the need to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue through political means. He
said that all parties participating in the meeting believed that Iran should
increase the transparency of its nuclear activities and strengthen measures to
gain the trust of the international community. He said that the clarification
of outstanding issues in the Iranian nuclear issue is in Iran's interest. After
the outstanding issues are clarified, it will be easier for Iran to gain the
trust of the international community in its nuclear motives.
ElBaradei called on all parties to work
together to promote a comprehensive political settlement of the Iranian nuclear
issue. He said that any solution must simultaneously ensure Iran's legitimate
rights to peaceful use of nuclear energy and ensure that Iran's nuclear program
is exclusively used for peaceful purposes.
ElBaradei said that the report he submitted
to the International Atomic Energy Agency's Board of Governors that day would
be immediately sent to the United Nations Security Council. It will be up to
the Security Council to decide whether and when to discuss the report and
whether to take action. But he stressed that the primary responsibility of the
UN Security Council is to ensure the peaceful settlement of disputes. He said
that even countries that advocate Security Council action believe that Security
Council intervention is only a new stage of diplomatic activities, not the end.
He hopes that the Security Council will provide support in maintaining a
diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue.
The International Atomic Energy Agency's
Board of Governors held a one-day discussion on the Iranian nuclear issue on
the 8th. The United States, the European Union and other three countries
believe that the Security Council should take immediate action on the Iranian
nuclear issue. Developing countries represented by members of the Non-Aligned
Movement insist that the Iranian nuclear issue should be resolved within the
framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency.