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Iranians puzzled by nuclear accusations { September 8 2003 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1059479628821 http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1059479628821 Iranians puzzled as outsiders stay fretful By Roula Khalaf Published: September 8 2003 5:00 | Last Updated: September 8 2003 5:00 Faced with rising suspicions over its nuclear ambitions, Iran's clerical regime has adopted a strange defence: nuclear weapons, says the government in Tehran, are un-Islamic and therefore cannot be pursued by the Islamic Republic. Some take the curious argument even further: "It's not human to have the atomic bomb," declares Amir Mohebian, a newspaper columnist who is considered an ideologue for the conservative faction in Iran's political establishment. "We want to follow policies that are in line with morality." Ordinary Iranians are, however, dismissive of the public discourse. The prospect of an Iranian atomic bomb finds wide popular support, even among those who oppose the hardline clerics who control the levers of power. Driven by a sense of patriotism and proud of Iran's historical role as a regional power, Iranians say they are puzzled by the international community's anxiety. "It is even necessary for Iran to have the weapons because we've been under threat historically," says Dariush, a 22-year-old Iranian now on military service. "So many others have them - Pakistan, Israel - so why should Iran not be allowed?" Iran is again on the agenda of this week's board meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN nuclear watchdog. The meeting follows a new inspectors' report that has exacerbated US fears over the nuclear programme. Some light has been shed on Iran's nuclear sites since Mohamed ElBaradei, head of the IAEA, visited Iran in February. But the agency says many questions remain unanswered. Iran says it is pursuing a complete fuel cycle - from mining uranium to enrichment for use in reactors - but only to produce nuclear energy. But such an achievement would give Iran the technology and capability to develop fuel for weapons. Also troubling is the building of a heavy water plant that could lead to the production of plutonium. IAEA inspectors have produced two reports, the latest of which will form the basis of this week's discussions at the agency's board. The document reveals samples taken from some facilities showed particles of weapons-grade uranium. The agency is investigating Iranian claims that contamination of imported equipment was the source of the uranium. Diplomats say Tehran has not revealed the origin of the imports and had claimed in the past its programme was developed indigenously. The report also highlights apparent modifications at a Tehran site where inspectors had been banned but allowed to visit last month. The US had sought to persuade the 35-member board (on which Iran also sits) to pass a tough resolution declaring Tehran in violation of its nuclear obligations. But with little appetite among members for an escalation of the dispute and a referral to the UN Security Council, the US on Friday softened its position and said it would seek a resolution that would press Iran to fully comply with the IAEA. The US appears confident a compromise resolution will pass. But Tehran, which counts many allies on the 35-member governing board, successfully fought the US push for a resolution at an IAEA meeting in June. Iran now says it is willing to negotiate an agreement for intrusive inspections, under a so-called "additional protocol" to the Nuclear non-Proliferation Treaty, but wants to clarify "ambiguities" first. Analysts say that hardline clerics in Tehran are hoping to delay the move as long as possible and to bargain for concessions. Diplomats say a resolution will have to take into account Iran's concerns about weapons proliferation in the region. Geoffrey Kemp, director of regional strategic programmes at the Nixon Center, in Washington, says that stopping or slowing Iran's push for a nuclear bomb will require "carrots as well as threatened sticks and much greater co-operation with Europe, Russia and China".

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