Iran ready to answer IAEA questions, but 'not bound' by deadline
AFP, Tehran
Iran intends to answer International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) questions over its nuclear programme "as quickly as possible", even though it does not consider itself bound by an October 31 deadline to do so, the Islamic republic’s representative to the IAEA told AFP yesterday. "This date of October 31 is not a criteria for us, because we have not accepted this resolution," Ali Akbar Salehi said. "We have said that we do not consider ourselves to be bound by this resolution, but... we will continue to cooperate with the IAEA and will try to make it so that the answers to outstanding issues will be given as quickly as possible," he added. Earlier Iran said it will accept, under certain conditions, to sign a nuclear protocol allowing tougher inspections of its atomic energy programme, Information Minister Ali Yunessi said Saturday. Iran "will accept for its best interests and out of concern for its honour, but with conditions and reservations that have to be taken into account," said Yunessi, quoted by state news agency Irna. In a resolution on September 12, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) gave Iran until October 31 to guarantee it was not and would not develop atomic weapons under the cover of its civil nuclear program. The resolution also called on it to sign an additional protocol of the UN nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and implement it immediately and unconditionally.
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