The United States Welcomes Iran's Decision to Halt Uranium Enrichment Program

The United States has welcomed the Islamic Republic of Iran's decision to agree to surprise inspections by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors and to halt its uranium enrichment program. President Bush said on Wednesday in Indonesia that what is important is that words are turned into action, adding that it seems they are accepting the demands of the free world, and now they must prove that they have accepted these demands. This is a very positive development. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, speaking to reporters in Kenya, said that the U.S. cautiously welcomes Iran's decision and added that the timing of what Tehran is prepared to make available to inspectors will clarify things. Senior Russian officials also expressed satisfaction with the Islamic Republic's decision, stating that this action will facilitate Moscow's nuclear cooperation with Iran. On Wednesday, an Islamic Republic official said Iran would submit documents related to its past nuclear activities to the IAEA that night. Another official stated that the Islamic Republic is expected to sign the Additional Protocol to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons before the next IAEA meeting on November 20. However, Mohammad Khatami, the President of the Islamic Republic, reminded that Iran will not sign the protocol without parliamentary approval.