IAEA chief calls on Iran to reconsider rejection of inspectors
Sep. 17, 2010
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency expressed regret Monday about Iran's repeated rejection of agency inspectors and called on the country to reconsider its decision.
''I learned with regret about Iran's decision to object to the designation of two inspectors who recently conducted inspections in Iran,'' Yukiya Amano told member states at a regular Board of Governors meeting.
Iran objected to the designation of the two inspectors recently, saying their reporting about the country's nuclear program was incorrect.
But Amano expressed his full confidence ''in the professionalism and impartiality of the inspectors concerned.'' He also called on Iran to ''reconsider'' its decision in January 2007 to request that the agency withdraw the designation of 38 inspectors.
''Every member state has the right'' to withdraw the designation of inspectors, Iranian Ambassador to the agency Ali Asghar Soltanieh told reporters outside the meeting room. He added Iran has accepted the designation of over 150 other inspectors.
(Distributed by Kyodo News on Sept. 13, 2010)
''I learned with regret about Iran's decision to object to the designation of two inspectors who recently conducted inspections in Iran,'' Yukiya Amano told member states at a regular Board of Governors meeting.
Iran objected to the designation of the two inspectors recently, saying their reporting about the country's nuclear program was incorrect.
But Amano expressed his full confidence ''in the professionalism and impartiality of the inspectors concerned.'' He also called on Iran to ''reconsider'' its decision in January 2007 to request that the agency withdraw the designation of 38 inspectors.
''Every member state has the right'' to withdraw the designation of inspectors, Iranian Ambassador to the agency Ali Asghar Soltanieh told reporters outside the meeting room. He added Iran has accepted the designation of over 150 other inspectors.
(Distributed by Kyodo News on Sept. 13, 2010)
