IAEA ban "under discussion" with Iran


dpa German Press Agency
Published: Monday January 22, 2007

Vienna- A spokeswoman for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Monday that the matter of Iran banning 38 IAEA inspectors from the country was still under discussion with Tehran, stressing that this did not impede the UN nuclear watchdog's work. "Details of inspector designation is a confidential matter between the IAEA and the country concerned," spokeswoman Melissa Fleming said in a statement.

"In this case, we are discussing with Iran its request for withdrawing the designation of certain safeguards inspectors," the statement continued.

Similar to an earlier case when Iran withdrew inspector designations, there is concern among analysts and some IAEA member states that Iran was effectively blocking the UN nuclear watchdog's work.

Sources within the IAEA said that while the ban was not a normal daily occurrence, there were still 150 designated inspectors for Iran, and that other countries had also, on occasion, withdrawn designations.

"It should be noted however, that there are a sufficient number of inspectors designated for Iran and the IAEA is able to perform its inspection activities in accordance with Iran's Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement," the IAEA said in its statement, reaffirming its abilities to conduct inspections.

© 2006 dpa German Press Agency