Iran says cuts in UN aid won't affect enrichment work UPDATE |
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Thu, 08 Mar 2007 13:58
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(Updates with details on cut in UN aid)VIENNA (AFX) - Iran said the UN atomic watchdog's cuts in aid to the Islamic Republic will not affect its uranium enrichment work.'None of these projects are related to the enrichment program. The enrichment program will continue as planned,' Iranian ambassador Ali Asghar Soltanieh told reporters after a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency.The UN atomic watchdog unanimously approved major cuts in aid to Iran as part of UN sanctions over Iran's nuclear programme, a spokesman said.The IAEA's 35-nation board of governors earlier formalised cuts in technical aid that were started after a UN Security Council resolution adopted Dec 23.'The reduction in aid was adopted by consensus,' the spokesman said.The Security Council resolution had imposed sanctions on Iran for continuing to enrich uranium and called for cuts in IAEA aid to Iran, which the United States accuses of seeking nuclear weapons.Iranian ambassador Ali Asghar Soltanieh criticised the cuts in comments to the board, a diplomat said.Soltanieh said Iran rejects the Security Council's interference in IAEA technical affairs.Out of 55 national and regional projects that the IAEA has with Iran, 22, or 40 pct, have been either totally or partially frozen, according to IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei.Tension is escalating over Iran's nuclear programme, particularly its production of enriched uranium -- which can be nuclear reactor fuel but also in highly refined form the explosive core of atom bombs.Iran says its programme is a peaceful effort to generate nuclear power.The United States had called for a strict interpretation of the Security Council's resolution on Iran and cuts of up to 50 pct of the aid programmes, according to a US briefing paper.The Security Council resolution said states should stop aid to Iran which might help it 'make nuclear reactor fuel' or develop 'nuclear weapon delivery systems.'The resolution says 'technical cooperation provided to Iran by the IAEA ... shall only be for food, agricultural, medical, safety or other humanitarian purposes.'A key role of the IAEA, besides its mission verifying compliance with the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), is to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy.newsdesk@afxnews.comafp/jlw/mas/cmlCOPYRIGHTCopyright AFX News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News.AFX News and AFX Financial News Logo are registered trademarks of AFX News Limited
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Iran says cuts in UN aid won't affect enrichment work 