IAEA To Hold Emergency Session On Iran

09/08/2005| IslamWeb

The 35-member governing board of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is due to hold an emergency meeting today to discuss Iran's resumption of work at a uranium-conversion plant.

The UN nuclear watchdog's meeting in Vienna comes one day after agency officials confirmed that Iran has resumed initial work at its Isfahan nuclear plant on processing uranium ore, a material that can be used in making nuclear weapons.

IAEA spokesman Peter Rickwood told Radio Farda the processing work began before complete installation and testing of the agency's monitoring equipment.

"The activity was commenced following the installation today by the agency of cameras covering the input stage of the uranium-ore concentrate process line, but regrettably prior to completion of the in-site testing of the cameras, which normally takes 24 hours following installation," Rickwood said.

Mohammad Saidi, vice president of Iran's Atomic Energy Agency, said full work at the facility will resume as soon as the IAEA completes the installation of its monitoring equipment at the plant -  expected to happen later today.

Officials with the United Nations and European Union have urged Iran to return to negotiations over its nuclear program, which Iran insists is not for developing weapons.

PHOTO CAPTION

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Mohammed ElBaradei is pictured as he briefs the media after an IAEA board of governors meeting in Vienna in this June 2005 file photo. (REUTERS)