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VIENNA, Nov. 20 (Xinhuanet) -- The International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) failed to reach consensus on a resolution drafted by
Germany, France and Britain on Iran's nuclear on the first day of the IAEA Board
of Governors conference Thursday.
The United States insisted on
accusing Iran of "breaches" of its safeguard obligations under the nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), while the revised version of the draft
resolution by Germany, France and Britain didn't meet the US demand, which
resulted in little progress on the first-day agenda of Iran's nuclear issue.
According to an Austrian diplomat, most of the board
members agreed to criticize Iran's concealment of its atomic program, but did
not hope to see the issue being taken to the United Nations, for fear of making
Iran give up collaboration with the IAEA.
Ali Akbar Salehi, Iran's ambassador to the IAEA,
warned that itis unacceptable for Iran to see a resolution containing any
statement accusing Iran of breaching its obligations under the NPT.
Adam Ereli, deputy spokesman for the US State
Department, urgedthe IAEA on Thursday to confirm that Iran's action violates the
NPT and to take the issue to the United Nations.
The 35-member board will continue to discuss the
issue on Friday and is expected to eventually find a resolution acceptable to
all parties, diplomats said. Enditem |