Iran Accepts
To Export Enriched Uranium To Russia
Iranian
negotiators have finally agreed to export enriched uranium to
Russia for processing as a result of pressure from western
countries over its nuclear ambitions.
International Atomic Energy Agency Chief, Mohamed ElBaradei also
confirmed that three interlocutors — the U.S., Russia and France
had accepted the draft for forwarding to their capitals.
El-Baradei said he hoped for approval from all four countries by
Friday. In his words, “everybody who participated at the meeting
was trying to look at the future not at the past, trying to heal
the wounds.
I very much hope that people see the big picture, see that this
agreement could open the way for a complete normalization of
relations between Iran and the international community."
This agreement was part of the 4 nation talks over the Iranian
Nuclear programme in Vienna, Austria. Under the proposed deal,
Iran will turn over more than 2,600 pounds (1,200 kilograms) of
low-enriched uranium.
That would significantly ease fears about Iran's nuclear
program, since 2,205 pounds (1,000 kilograms) is the commonly
accepted amount of low-enriched uranium needed to produce
weapons-grade uranium.
After that material is turned into metal fuel rods, it would
then be shipped back to Iran to power its small research reactor
in Tehran.
Based on the present Iranian stockpile, the U.S. has estimated
that Tehran could produce a nuclear weapon between Year 2010 and
2015, an assessment that broadly matches those from Israel and
other nations.
AP/Qasim/Yinka
