Non-aligned envoys visit Iran to see atomic work

Isfahan, Iran, Feb 3: Six envoys representing the Non-Aligned Movement of developing nations arrived in Iran today to visit a nuclear facility as part of Tehran's attempt to show ''transparency'' over its disputed atomic programme.

The NAM diplomats, accredited to the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, will visit a site near the central Iranian city of Isfahan that converts uranium ore into feedstock uranium hexafluoride (UF6) gas.

About 90 Iranian and foreign journalists were also taken to the site in a barren area in the shadow of a mountain southeast of Isfahan. Anti-aircraft guns surrounded the site.

The United States accuses Iran of secretly working to make atomic bombs under cover of a civilian nuclear programme to generate electricity. It has said putting Iran's nuclear activities on display would not build confidence abroad.

The group of envoys is not due to visit the Natanz uranium enrichment site where UF6 gas is fed into centrifuges to make power plant fuel or, if greatly enriched, material for warheads.

Iran has said it will soon start work to expand enrichment capacity at Natanz, prompting speculation Tehran could announce the beginning of this work during celebrations to mark the 1979 Islamic revolution that run to Februray 11.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was quoted by Fars News Agency as saying February 11 would be a day to ''prove the Iranian nation's obvious right'' to nuclear technology. He also said Iran would announce ''great achievements'' in days but did not give details.

Iran's official news agency IRNA said the trip by the envoys was ''based on Iran's policy for peaceful nuclear activities'' and said Tehran was showing ''transparency''.

MOUNTING PRESSURE

''They are not technical people and will not be able to pass judgment on what is going on (technically). This is a publicity exercise, that's the main point,'' an NAM ambassador in Vienna, where the IAEA is based, said of the visit.

The group comprises ambassadors from Egypt, Malaysia, Cuba, Algeria and Sudan, and a Syrian representing the Arab League.

During the trip, they are due to hold talks with Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki and the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation, Gholamreza Aghazadeh, and leave on Monday.

The UN Security Council slapped sanctions on Iran on December 23, banning the transfer of sensitive materials and know-how for Iran's nuclear and missile programmes. The resolution gave Iran 60 days to suspend uranium enrichment work.

In response to the resolution, Iran has barred entry to 38 out of 200 IAEA inspectors whose role is to check Iranian sites to verify material is not used to make bombs.

The United States has also increased pressure by imposing sanctions on two big Iranian banks and sending a second aircraft carrier to the Gulf.

Washington has said it wants diplomacy to end the standoff but has not ruled out military action if that fails. US officials dismiss speculation that it is planning a conflict.

Iran has said it plans to press ahead with installing 3,000 more centrifuges at Natanz, adding to about 350 experimental machines it now runs. With 3,000 machines, it could make material for at least one warhead in a year, experts say.

Reuters

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