IAEA, US criticize Iran over blocking of inspectors (Roundup)

Sep 13, 2010, 16:24 GMT

Vienna - International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Yukiya Amano and a senior US diplomat criticized Teheran Monday for repeatedly turning away IAEA nuclear inspectors.

'I learned with great regret about Iran's decision to object to the designation of two inspectors who recently conducted inspections in Iran,' Amano said at the start of a meeting of the UN nuclear watchdog's governing body in Vienna.

Amano stressed that IAEA officials could not confirm that all nuclear material in Iran was intended for peaceful purposes, saying there was a lack of adequate information.

US ambassador Glyn Davies called the ban a further escalation in the row over Iran's controversial nuclear programme.

'It is the first time that a country rejected inspectors because of their report,' he said, referring to Iran's denials that certain nuclear equipment had gone missing between the IAEA experts' visits.

Iran meanwhile dismissed Amano's written report and comments at the meeting as politically motivated. 'This was not a balanced report on Iran. It brings the credibility of the IAEA into question,' Iran's envoy to the IAEA Ali Asghar Soltanieh said.

The dispute over inspections escalated in June, when Iran refused to allow the two IAEA experts into the country. The Islamic republic has come under international criticism for its planned enrichment plants and possible past nuclear weapons development work.

Iran maintains it needs nuclear technology for power generation, not a nuclear bomb.

As an IAEA member state, Iran has the right to turn away individual nuclear inspectors, who would then be replaced by the body. Many other members states are concerned however that Tehran's repeated rejection of inspectors is hampering the work of the IAEA. In addition, nuclear experts in the country remain under extreme pressure.

According to Amano, Iran turned away 38 inspectors in 2007. 'Iran's repeated objection to the designation of inspectors with experience in Iran's nuclear fuel cycle and facilities hampers the inspection process,' he said.

Soltanieh however said it was 'ridiculous' for the IAEA to protest against the turning away of two inspectors, when at present the agency had more than 150 inspectors available to work Iran.

Also on Monday, Amano named the Belgian Herman Nackaerts as his new chief nuclear inspector.

The nuclear expert, who has been in charge of the Iran investigation, follows Olli Heinonen from Finland.