BREAKING NEWS
Monthly Herald Staff Writer, Jill Horrowitz
What is the importance of the IAEA criticism and the Iranian agreement to new inspections?
The IAEA decision means that, although Iran is censured, it is not taken to the Security Council for possible sanctions. It has also been warned that Security Council action will not be ruled out for any future violations. This was the result of a compromise between the United States, which wanted the Security Council brought in, and three European countries, the UK, France and Germany, which urged dialogue. All Western governments agree that the new inspection and verification system, or Additional Protocol, to which Iran has agreed, will have to be particularly tough.
Is Iran ceasing its enrichment programme?
Iran has promised to suspend the uranium enrichment programme it says it will need to provide fuel for its nuclear reactor. However, Iran said the suspension would only be temporary. The temporary nature of the action raises concerns in the West, which would like Iran to stop the processing permanently and accept fuel for its nuclear power from Western sources or from Russia which has been building Iran a reactor, as happens with many other countries. The reason for this concern is that a country with the ability to do so could one day enrich uranium not just to levels needed for power generation, but for weapons. It could then withdraw from the NPT and make a nuclear bomb. Processing involves separating the uranium ore into its component parts, or isotopes, which vary in richness. By spinning a gas obtained from the ore through a series of centrifuges, an enriched product is obtained.
Why does Iran not stop the enrichment process completely?
Iranian officials say that they cannot be left to depend on outside sources. They say that they have been let down in the past and that suppliers of fuel could be subject to American pressure in the future.
Does Iran intend to build a nuclear bomb?
It has repeatedly said not. But it clearly does intend to develop nuclear power as a means of providing energy. It points out that its nuclear interests began under the Shah and that at the time, his policy was supported by the West. It also says that it might have oil but that it also needs an alternative supply of energy.
What is Israel's attitude?
Israel is deeply concerned and recently the head of its intelligence service Mossad even said that the Iranian nuclear programme represented the greatest ever threat to Israel. Israeli media say that the Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has taken personal charge of an effort by Israel to prevent Iran from making a nuclear bomb. Since Israel bombed a nuclear reactor in Iraq in 1981, nobody is ruling out a similar attack one day on Iran.
What is the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty?
The NPT is a way of trying to limit the number of states with nuclear weapons. Those who had them when the treaty was opened for signature in 1968 (the US, Russia, China, Britain and France) were allowed to keep them but agreed not to give them to anyone else. However, other countries are allowed to develop nuclear power for peaceful purposes, but only under inspection by the IAEA. The NPT also said that there should a process towards general nuclear disarmament. This clearly has a long way to go, to say the least, and most people think it will never seriously happen. Some nuclear weapon capable states have refused to sign up - Israel, India and Pakistan being the main examples. They are therefore not covered by the treaty. North Korea has withdrawn from it. BBCWorldNews-Wire.