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Russia Says Iran Nuclear Inspections Needed Despite Tour Offer

   VOA News 13 January 2011

   Russia   says  an  offer  to  visit  Iran's  nuclear  sites  "deserves
   attention" but does not replace the need for regular inspections.
   Russian  Foreign  Minister  Sergei  Lavrov  said  Thursday  the visits
   proposed   by  Tehran  "must  not  be  viewed  as  a  substitute"  for
   inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
   He also said there is still a need for Iran to hold talks with Germany
   and the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council - Britain,
   China, France, Russia and the United States. Those talks are scheduled
   for Istanbul on January 21-22.
   Iran  had  invited  foreign diplomats to visit its atomic sites a week
   before the Istanbul meeting.
   China  on  Thursday said it is unlikely to accept the offer, saying it
   would be difficult for the country's nuclear envoy to visit Iran.
   Iran  says  its nuclear program is for peaceful means, but the country
   has   been   facing  international  sanctions  amid  fears  Tehran  is
   developing nuclear weapons.
   The  European  Union  has  already  declined the tour, which Iran said
   would  include  the  Natanz  uranium  enrichment  plant  and  the Arak
   plutonium-producing heavy water complex.
   Iran  says  it  is willing only to discuss a nuclear materials swap at
   the Istanbul meeting.
   EU  foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton will visit Turkey this week
   in preparation for the talks.
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References

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