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U.S. Demands Further Nuclear Steps From Iran


U.S. President George W. Bush (file photo) 1 December 2004 -- U.S. President George W. Bush said yesterday that Iran's agreement to freeze all uranium-enrichment activities is "not the final step" in easing fears that Tehran is seeking to build nuclear weapons.

On a visit to Canada, Bush said the U.S. position is that Iran should "terminate" its nuclear program.

One day earlier, the UN nuclear-watchdog agency, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), had passed a resolution approving Iran's week-old suspension of sensitive nuclear activities.

The passage of the resolution by the IAEA allowed Iran to escape possible censure over its nuclear program by the UN Security Council.

Yesterday, Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Hasan Rowhani, stressed that the suspension is temporary and will only apply for as long as negotiations with the European Union continue. He added that Tehran will never completely abandon the nuclear fuel cycle.

Washington has long accused Iran of conducting a covert program to develop its own nuclear weapons, a charge that officials in Tehran have consistently denied.

(Reuters/AP)

Related stories:
"IAEA Passes Resolution Endorsing Nuclear Freeze"
"Official Says Iran Won't Forego Enrichment Work"

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