WAR.WIRE
Non-aligned states on nuclear mission to Iran
 VIENNA (AFP) Nov 19, 2004
 Four ambassadors from non-aligned and G-77 countries in the UN atomic agency were to head to Tehran Friday ahead of talks on whether Iran should face UN sanctions over its nuclear program, Malaysian ambassador Hussein Haniff told AFP.

Haniff said he and the ambassadors of Cuba, South Africa and Algeria "are going to update ourselves about the agreement between the EU and Iran" on Tehran suspending uranium enrichment.

The suspension, which is set to begin on Monday, responds to a resolution adopted by the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency in September for Iran to halt key parts of the nuclear fuel cycle, Haniff said.

The United States charges that Iran is secretly developing nuclear weapons and wants the IAEA to refer Tehran to the UN Security Council, which could impose punishing sanctions.

But Haniff said he saw no reason for such a referral.

"Iran honored the resolution from the last board meeting. When the resolution is honored, why should we refer Iran to the Security Council," he said.

Haniff said the ambassadors would be leaving Friday evening and returning to Vienna early Monday.

The IAEA's 35-nation board of governors will next Thursday begin consideration of the Iranian question.

Malaysia, Cuba and South Africa are the so-called troika leaders of the non-aligned states on the IAEA board. Algeria is chairman at the IAEA of the G-77 group. The Group of 77 is the largest third world coalition in the United Nations.