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IAEA chief expected in Iran as deadline nears
TEHRAN (AFP) Oct 13, 2003
 The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mohamed ElBaradei, is expected for talks here Thursday, a fortnight before the watchdog's deadline for answers to its concerns about Iran's nuclear programme, a source close to the government said.

The source declined to elaborate on the programme or agenda for ElBaradei's talks but the news came as official media here announced that Iran was preparing to launch negotiations next week on its signature of an additional protocol to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, as demanded by the international community.

The IAEA has set an October 31 deadline for Iran to address concerns about its nuclear programme or face referral to the UN Security Council for breach of the NPT.

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