soc.culture.iraq

ElBaradei to defend Iran plan at IAEA governors meet

By Mark Heinrich

VIENNA (Reuters) - The chief of the . nuclear watchdog will tell
skeptical nations on its governing board this week that Iran's pledge of
atomic transparency should be given a chance to work, not dismissed as a
time-buying ruse.



Western delegates said they were looking for ElBaradei to correct
impressions left by the plan's text that the IAEA could make no more
inquiries once historical questions were solved even if fresh suspicions
arose, and excused Iran from . demands to grant wider inspections or
suspend enrichment.

ElBaradei said those perceptions were indeed incorrect. "There has been
quite a lot of misunderstanding," he said.

The plan is a "working document" to be built on, not a final treaty that
precludes any measures not spelled out, he told reporters invited to a rare
briefing on Friday.

He said he would also make clear the IAEA would insist on documentation and
access to hitherto off-limits areas to check Iranian answers, a key measure
missing from the plan.

"Whether Iran will walk out of this understanding, I don't know now. All we
know is that Iran has committed to cooperating and clearing their name. We
have to give them that chance."


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