DYB2011-Part-II-web

Nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation
building measures would form the first elements of a phased approach that
would eventually lead to a comprehensive settlement, including the full
implementation of the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and
the IAEA Board of Governors.
On 8 November, the IAEA Director General issued an updated report on
the implementation of safeguards and relevant Security Council resolutions in
the Islamic Republic of Iran. 33 The report notably included a detailed annex
on the possible military dimensions to the Islamic Republic of Iran’s nuclear
programme. The information contained in the annex generally reflected
previously reported allegations regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran’s past
efforts to develop a nuclear payload for a missile, based on information that
had been available to the Agency for several years and described in less detail
in earlier reports. The controversial report resulted in increased concerns
regarding the Iranian nuclear programme.
In reaction to the IAEA Director General’s report, on 18 November, the
Agency’s Board of Governors adopted a resolution entitled “Implementation
of the NPT safeguards agreement and relevant provisions of United Nations
Security Council resolutions in the Islamic Republic of Iran” 34 by 32 votes in
favour to 2 against, with 1 abstention. In the resolution, the Board expressed
“deep and increasing concern about the unresolved issues regarding the
Iranian nuclear programme, including those which need to be clarified to
exclude the existence of possible military dimensions”.
The Board continued to express support for two parallel diplomatic
tracks to address the nuclear issue, focusing on: the Islamic Republic of Iran’s
cooperation with the IAEA towards resolving outstanding issues of concern;
and a diplomatic solution between the E3+3 and the Islamic Republic of
Iran. With respect to the former, the Board stressed that “it is essential for
the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Agency to intensify their dialogue”.
With respect to the latter, the Board affirmed the goals expressed in the 21
September statement of the E3+3 and called upon the Islamic Republic of Iran
to engage in negotiations seriously and without preconditions.
In December, the Islamic Republic of Iran continued to express readiness
to advance political negotiations and to address the outstanding issues
identified by the IAEA, amid the pursuit of unilateral sanctions by some and
rising tensions among the parties. On 14 December, the Islamic Republic
of Iran reportedly sent a letter to the IAEA Director General restating its
invitation for high-level IAEA officials to visit the country. The purpose of
such a visit would be to clarify the outstanding issues. On 31 December,
33 IAEA, document GOV/2011/65. Available from http://www.iaea.org/Publications/
Documents/Board/2011/gov2011-65.pdf (accessed 9 May 2012).
34 IAEA, document GOV/2011/69. Available from http://www.iaea.org/Publications/
Documents/Board/2011/gov2011-69.pdf (accessed 9 May 2012).
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