UN chief 'optimistic' on Iran crisis
From: Agence France-Presse
From correspondents in Amsterdam
May 11, 2006

UN nuclear chief Mohamed ElBaradei said today he was "optimistic" about the fact Washington had given its European allies more time to seek a solution to the crisis over Iran's nuclear program.

"I have a good sense of optimism," Mr ElBaradei said.
"I thinks it is a very good idea for the Security Council to hold their horses, so to speak... The more we go back to the negotiating table the more we have a chance at a durable solution," he said.

Yesterday, the US, which has failed to win support for UN sanctions against Iran, announced it would give its European allies "a couple of weeks" to draft a fresh approach to persuading Tehran to drop its disputed nuclear activities.

Diplomats said negotiators from the Security Council's permanent members - the US, Russia, China, Britain and France - plus Germany planned to meet in London on May 19 to weigh a new package of incentives as well as penalties.

Mr ElBaradei, who travelled to the Netherlands to collect an award for his work, added that he felt it was a "good direction" that the focus was on a "package solution for Iran", as he has long advocated.

"I am very optimistic and I hope both sides will move away from their war of words ... we need compromises from both sides," the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stressed.
Iran says its nuclear program is a peaceful effort to generate electricity but the US says it is a cover for the secret development of atomic weapons.

"Iran owes it to the international community to make sure their nuclear program is for peaceful means," Mr ElBaradei said, while also insisting Tehran had the right to set up a nuclear program to get energy.

News Limited
May 11, 2006