ElBaradei welcomes Iran's declaration

Source: PressTV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=126939&sectionid=351020104

The former head of the UN nuclear watchdog says Iran's decision to send its enriched uranium to Turkey could pave the way for broader negotiations.

Iran, Brazil, and Turkey issued a nuclear declaration in Tehran on Monday that names Turkey as the site of a nuclear fuel swap where Tehran would exchange its low-enriched uranium for reactor fuel.

The declaration calls for Iran to exchange 1,200 kilograms (2,640 pounds) of its low-enriched uranium for 120 kilograms of 20 percent enriched nuclear fuel to power the Tehran research reactor, which produces radioisotopes for cancer treatment.

Mohamed ElBaradei, the former director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told FRANCE 24 on Tuesday that the declaration “is a precursor to full-scope negotiations with world powers.”

“I believe it's quite a good agreement […] I've always said that the only way to resolve the Iranian issue is by building trust,” ElBaradei added.

“Moving half or more than half of Iran's nuclear material out of the country is a confidence-building measure that could defuse the crisis, and give the US and the West the space to negotiate,” the former IAEA director stated.

"Iran is prepared to talk, I know Barack Obama is prepared to talk. I base that on my discussions a few months ago with both [Iranian President] Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and [US President] Barack Obama. Of course, nobody wants to give away everything before talks, but I do think both are committed to negotiations. And I think that now, with this agreement, the conditions are absolutely ripe to engage in full-fledged negotiations,” ElBaradei said.

IAEA to focus on Israeli nukes in June

Source: PressTV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=125821§ionid=351020202



The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will discuss Israel - the owner of Middle East's sole atomic arsenal -- and its nuclear activities.

The IAEA is allowed to refer nuclear proliferation concerns to the UN Security Council.

The issue, which has always eluded IAEA's agenda with the help of the United States, has been included in the list of items to be brought up at the agency's gathering on June 7, the Associated Press reported Saturday.

The matter is to be discussed under the subject of Israel's "nuclear capabilities" at the request of the body's 18 Arab members.

The organization has avoided the issue since its inception and for more than half a century amid Israel's insistence on maintaining a policy of nuclear "ambiguity," under which the regime neither confirms nor denies having nuclear weapons.

Tel Aviv has repeatedly brushed aside international calls for joining the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Since 1958, when Israel began building the Dimona plutonium and uranium processing facility, it has allegedly manufactured scores of nuclear warheads, earning reputation as the sole owner of such weapons in the Middle East.

Former US President Jimmy Carter has attested to the existence of the arsenal, which he said includes between 200 to 300 warheads.

According to AP, the June meeting's agenda could change, should Washington and other Israeli allies raise strong objections to the measure.