US wants IAEA to be tough on Iran

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, March 11, 2004

US wants IAEA to be tough on Iran

US Secretary of State Colin Powell said Wednesday he was confident that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) would warn Iran it could face sanctions over its nuclear programs.

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US Secretary of State Colin Powell said Wednesday he was confident that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) would warn Iran it could face sanctions over its nuclear programs.

"What we have insisted on is that there has to be language in this resolution that caused the IAEA to review the situation at the next meeting and then in June make a judgment as to whether further action should be required and whether there should be other referrals to the Security Council and that language, I am confident ... will be reflected in the resolution," Powell said ata hearing of the House Appropriations Committee.

The draft resolution reached tentatively Tuesday by the United States and its European allies in Vienna criticized Iran for failing to disclose the sensitive parts of its nuclear programs, but stopped short of seeking any sanctions until at least June.

Powell rejected criticisms that Washington softened its stand on Iran in negotiating with European partners in drafting the IAEAresolution.

"The headline I saw this morning said 'appeases,' 'we appease Europe.' Not so. We are coming up with a resolution that will showthat the United States firmly believes Iran has to give up its nuclear weapons program," Powell said.

The draft resolution drawn up in Vienna was "a good compromise"that served the interests of the United States and Europe, Powell said.

The United States had been pressing for sanctions against Iran over its nuclear programs, but France, Britain and Germany want a softer approach to keep Iran cooperating with the IAEA.

Iran has claimed that it is pursuing a peaceful nuclear programto generate electricity.

Source: Xinhua

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