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Atomic energy agency rebukes Iran in resolution

June 19, 2004|By NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE

VIENNA, Austria - Iran, increasingly isolated even by former allies, was formally rebuked by the International Atomic Energy Agency yesterday in a resolution that criticized it for a lack of cooperation in disclosing the details of its nuclear program.

The resolution, sponsored by Britain, France and Germany and fine-tuned in the last few days, accuses Iran of not being open about where it obtained blueprints and parts for advanced centrifuges, which can produce weapons-grade uranium. It passed unanimously after the country's usual defenders, including Russia and China, distanced themselves from Iran.

The resolution also criticizes Iran for not explaining how several sites in the country were contaminated with highly enriched uranium. And it contends that the country hampered the efforts of inspectors to explore the suspect facilities.

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The episode is the latest in a nearly two-year confrontation in which the agency's frustrations with Iran are beginning to show. The director of the agency, Mohamed ElBaradei, said the statement "calls in very explicit terms on Iran to accelerate its cooperation." He said it must clear up lingering questions within "the next few months."

Iran rejected the pressure. A senior Iranian diplomat, Amir Zamaninia, warned that Tehran would instead reconsider "voluntary confidence-building measures," which include a pledge to suspend uranium enrichment.

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