PressTV 24 Ottobre 2009

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has voiced Israel's concern about the progress in talks between Iran and major world powers on Tehran's nuclear program.

Barak was commenting on a draft accord that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has handed to Iran, Russia, the US and France for approval by Friday.

According to the draft agreement, Iran is to ship 1,200 kg (2,645 lb) of low-enriched (3.5-percent-enriched) uranium to Russia before the end of the year to be 20-percent-enriched, for use in production of medical isotopes.

"I repeat that the cessation of enrichment by Iran is needed, and not just the removal of the enriched material ... and a short and limited time for discussion is needed," Haaretz quoted Barak as saying on Thursday.

"This agreement - if it is ever signed - will manage to turn back the accumulation of the enriched material in Iran by about a year. But this is a mixed blessing," he added.

The Islamic Republic will receive legitimacy for enriching uranium on its soil for civilian purposes, should the deal be signed, Barak said.

Israel, which openly opposes Iran's nuclear enrichment for peaceful purposes, is the Middle East's sole possessor of nuclear weapons.

Israel has not yet signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

MGH/SS/MMN

Source >  PressTV | Oct 22