The View from Washington: DeSutter on Iran’s Nuclear Program

The View from Washington: DeSutter on Iran’s Nuclear Program - 2004-05-23. What you read here reflects the views and position of the U.S. government. Paula DeSutter, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and responsible for verifying compliance with international treaties and monitoring them, states that Iran's efforts to acquire nuclear weapons pose a widespread and far-reaching challenge to the world. "We are extremely concerned that Iran's actions in pursuing a nuclear weapons program, in violation of its commitments under the Non-Proliferation Treaty, could reach a point where Iran obtains nuclear weapons. This issue, in our view, poses a threat both to the region and to the Non-Proliferation Treaty itself." DeSutter notes that Iran, as a signatory to the treaty, promised not to pursue nuclear weapons systems or seek to acquire them. However, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed that Iran's activities include the development of centrifuges that can enrich uranium for use in making weapons, and an isotope that is essentially used in the production of nuclear bombs. Mohamed ElBaradei, the head of the agency, states that such findings indicate that Iran has repeatedly failed to meet its commitments under the nuclear safety agreement over a long period. Ms. DeSutter praises the IAEA, saying, "We are encouraged by the good work the agency has done in continuing to pursue the issue of Iran's illegal nuclear program. The reports provided by the agency's head detail important information the agency has gathered regarding Iran's nuclear activities. We believe that all these activities provide a basis for understanding Iran's non-compliance with the treaty and referring the matter to the United Nations Security Council." The IAEA may refer Iran's case to the Security Council for consideration of possible sanctions during a meeting in June. DeSutter, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, states that the agency's approach to Iran will set a precedent for other proliferators, and it is important that Iran continues to be viewed not merely as a specific regional problem but as a challenge to the Non-Proliferation Treaty itself.