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Iran gives in to U.N. pressure to suspend uranium enrichment

Tehran (AP) - Iran agreed Oct. 21 to suspend uranium enrichment and give inspectors unrestricted access to its nuclear facilities as demanded by the U.N. watchdog agency, a step that could ease the standoff over fears Iran is seeking to build nuclear weapons.

The announcement came after weeks of pressure on Iran to meet an Oct. 31 deadline to come clean on its nuclear program, which Washington believes aims to build a nuclear arsenal. The United States, which led the charge for the U.N. Security Council to take action against Tehran, cautiously welcomed the announcement.

If Iran follows through with its promises, it "would be a positive step in the right direction," White House press secretary Scott McClellan said. "Full compliance by Iran will now be essential."

Iran, which says its nuclear program aims for no more than electricity production, made the commitments after the foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany came in person to Iran to press the demands by the U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Tehran did not say when it would take the steps, though it will likely be before the Oct. 31 deadline, sources say.

Iran agreed to hand over other information long sought by the IAEA. It also promised to account for the origin of traces of weapons-grade uranium IAEA inspectors discovered at two facilities.

IAEA head Mohamed ElBaradei has called those traces of uranium, found in environmental samples, the most troubling aspect of Iran's nuclear activities.

Iran says the contamination was on equipment that it imported for peaceful nuclear purposes, but it resisted IAEA requests that it name the country of origin.

Once the agency knows where the equipment comes from, it can test the truth of Iran's claims.

Shukan ST: Oct. 31, 2003

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National News Iran gives in to U.N. pressure to suspend uranium enrichment Tehran (AP) - Iran agreed Oct. 21 to suspend uranium enrichment and give inspectors unrestricted access to its nuclear facilities as demanded by the U.N. watchdog agency, a step that could ease the standoff over fears Iran is seeking to build nuclear weapons. The announcement came after weeks of pressure on Iran to meet an Oct. 31 deadline to come clean on its nuclear program, which Washington believes aims to build a nuclear arsenal. The United States, which led the charge for the U.N. Security Council to take action against Tehran, cautiously welcomed the announcement. If Iran follows through with its promises, it "would be a positive step in the right direction," White House press secretary Scott McClellan said. "Full compliance by Iran will now be essential." Iran, which says its nuclear program aims for no more than electricity production, made the commitments after the foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany came in person to Iran to press the demands by the U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Tehran did not say when it would take the steps, though it will likely be before the Oct. 31 deadline, sources say. Iran agreed to hand over other information long sought by the IAEA. It also promised to account for the origin of traces of weapons-grade uranium IAEA inspectors discovered at two facilities. IAEA head Mohamed ElBaradei has called those traces of uranium, found in environmental samples, the most troubling aspect of Iran's nuclear activities. Iran says the contamination was on equipment that it imported for peaceful nuclear purposes, but it resisted IAEA requests that it name the country of origin. Once the agency knows where the equipment comes from, it can test the truth of Iran's claims. Shukan ST: Oct. 31, 2003 (C) All rights reserved