Vienna, 26 November 2003 (RFE/RL) -- The board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency has adopted a resolution that censures Iran for concealing activities in its nuclear program over 18 years. The resolution passed today by the 35-nation board welcomes Iran's offer of active cooperation with international nuclear inspectors. But it also warns of possible action if Iran fails in the future to cooperate or if new evidence of nonproliferation activities is discovered.
Agency Director-General Muhammad el-Baradei said he is pleased with the resolution and the serious message it sends. "The board is sending a very serious and ominous message that failures in the future will not be tolerated and that the board will use all options available to it to deal with these failures," he said.
The measure was a compromise between the United States, which wanted a stronger threat of UN sanctions, and Britain, France, and Germany, which wanted to reward Iran for recent cooperation with the UN nuclear monitoring agency.
Iran strongly denies U.S. allegations it is trying to make nuclear bombs, saying it is using nuclear power solely to produce electricity.
Agency Director-General Muhammad el-Baradei said he is pleased with the resolution and the serious message it sends. "The board is sending a very serious and ominous message that failures in the future will not be tolerated and that the board will use all options available to it to deal with these failures," he said.
The measure was a compromise between the United States, which wanted a stronger threat of UN sanctions, and Britain, France, and Germany, which wanted to reward Iran for recent cooperation with the UN nuclear monitoring agency.
Iran strongly denies U.S. allegations it is trying to make nuclear bombs, saying it is using nuclear power solely to produce electricity.