Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., February 12, 2008 Adar1 6, 5768 | | Israel Time: 20:52 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

IAEA director Mohamed ElBaradei (AP) Last update - 19:57 12/02/2008 IAEA denies internal row over Iran, condemns Western 'hype' By Reuters Tags: Iran, IAEA, nuclear row, UN The United Nations nuclear watchdog on Tuesday rejected Western suggestions it is being soft on Iran, denying that its chief was declaring questions about Tehran's atomic work resolved despite doubts of his inspectors. A senior official close to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director Mohamed ElBaradei accused unnamed Western powers of using the same "hype" tactics employed against Iraq before the 2003 U.S.-led invasion to justify imposing further sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program. The IAEA is due to issue a report next week before world powers meet to finalize a UN Security Council resolution on more sanctions. The West accuses Iran of secretly seeking the means to make nuclear bombs, a charge Tehran denies. Advertisement Ahead of the IAEA report, some Western diplomats said the agency's inspectors were unhappy with top level decisions to declare issues clarified without what they deemed to be sufficiently credible explanations from Iran. A French media report said on Monday differences between ElBaradei and technical staff could delay the latest report on whether Iran illicitly tried to enrich uranium for arms, not just electricity as it maintains. Departing from normal IAEA silence ahead of its politically sensitive reports, a senior agency official telephoned Reuters on Tuesday to deny reports of internal dissent. "Reports about disagreements within the agency over the forthcoming Iran report are nonsense," said the official, who asked not to be further identified. "Work on the first draft of the report has not even started." "Some people do not want to see the Iran issue resolved because that would contradict their hidden agendas, he said, adding that "people should have learned from their mistakes in the past, when all the hype over alleged weapons of mass destruction [WMD] in Iraq turned out to be just that - hype". Iran agreed in January to answer remaining questions about its past covert nuclear activities within a month. Major progress has been made since and the inquiry is now in its final stages, IAEA sources say. The senior official said Iran had still not clarified the final and most important question on a list delving into its covert nuclear history -- suspected attempts under military supervision to "weaponise" nuclear materials. "Our inspectors are still working on clarifying the facts about the alleged weaponisation activities in Iran," he said. The official said that the Vienna-based IAEA's central role was to collect information impartially and place it before the agency's 35-nation board of governors. "If the facts are at odds with the policy objectives of some people who are keen to impose further sanctions on Iran, that's too bad," the official added. Before it invaded Iraq to topple Saddam Hussein in 2003, the United States disregarded IAEA testimony to the Security Council that there was no proof Iraq was still seeking nuclear bombs. No such evidence to back a major U.S. justification for what turned into a chaotic occupation of Iraq has surfaced since. "Not a single question has ever been raised by member states about the objectivity and professionalism of our reports," the IAEA official said. "This next one will be no different." He criticised what he called similar hype about an ongoing nuclear arms drive in Iran until Washington's own intelligence agencies said in December that this had been shelved in 2003. ElBaradei has said Iran's enrichment program poses no imminent threat to international peace. But he has urged Iran to lift restrictions on inspector movements and comply with suspension demands to defuse mistrust in its intentions. Related articles: Merkel to PM: Gazans suffering due to Qassam fire Barak: Ankara can wield positive influence on Damascus Barak tells Knesset U.S. unlikely to attack Iran's nuclear installations Bookmark to del.icio.us   Google N for Nakba Israeli town sues Google over claim it was built on ruins of Palestinian village. A Belgian treat U.S. Jew says he was kicked out of a Bruges cafe because he was wearing a skullcap.   1.   UNUSUAL STATEMENT FROM ELBARADEI 17:33  |  indrajaya 12/02/08   2.   UNUSUAL STATEMENT FROM ELBARADEI 17:33  |  indrajaya 12/02/08   3.   IAEA....... Lazy Dog once bitten twice shy. 17:59  |  Stephen. 12/02/08   4.   teacup tempest 18:24  |  frenz 12/02/08   5.   The psychotic right wing is getting very desperate 19:45  |  Mark Lincoln 12/02/08   6.   Great steaming piles of buffalo droppings from Israel & America 20:08  |  Clickfool 12/02/08

Today Online Bradley Burston: Sderot as Stalingrad, Hamas as Samson Responses: 104 Ahmed Yousef: Palestinian revenge was inevitable Responses: 114 Israeli town sues Google over claim it was built on Arab village Responses: 146 Minister: No freeze on Jewish house building in E. J'lem Responses: 25 Krakow church holds service slamming 'kikes who spit on us' Responses: 153 Rosner's Domain Guest: Why does Obama think talking to "Hitler" can succeed? Obama is gaining momentum- also within the Jews Democratic policy unity is a mirage (WTR) Poll: Is it legitimate to cut electricity to Gaza? Factor: How's McCain better than Obama More Headlines 20:06 IDF soldier moderately hurt in stabbing attack near Jenin 18:59 Majadele: New Arab city will bolster our sense of belonging 20:30 Turkish min.: Israeli terms for satellite sale could hamper deal 19:00 Merkel to PM: Gazans suffering due to Qassam fire 19:03 Peres: If we're fired upon, we must hit back without hesitation 19:16 Poland won't sue author of book on post-WWII anti-Semitism 20:08 FM to attend Lantos memorial service in Washington, may meet Rice 16:56 Hoenlein says 'concerned' by atmosphere surrounding Obama campaign 19:45 Prosecutor rejects appeal in case of killing of Palestinian girl 17:36 Al Gore, Israeli author Amos Oz win Dan David Prize 14:06 Top reservists: Roadblocks in W. Bank do more harm than good 17:01 Asian eateries cut menu over plans to rid kitchens of foreign chefs 17:30 Namibia invites Israelis investors to help polish its diamonds Previous Editions Select Day 11 feb 10 feb 08 feb 07 feb 06 feb 05 feb 04 feb 03 feb 01 feb 31 jan 30 jan 29 jan

Special Offers Advertisement Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Dead Sea Salt Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off! Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations U.S. CITIZEN IN ISRAEL Register now to vote in national election. Do not wait. Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved