Dutch FM opposes UN involvement in Iranian nuclear issue

Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot warned Wednesday that the UN Security Council's possible intervention in the Iranian nuclear problem may cause an end to international inspections in the country.

Bot, whose country currently presides over the European Union, said he was confident that Iran would drive the inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) out if the Security Council gets involved in the nuclear issue as the United States is demanding.

"That would spell the end of inspections," he said during a parliamentary debate on the issue, two days after Iran's top national security official Hassan Rowhani held high-level talks with Dutch leaders.

According to reports from the Hague, capital of the Netherlands,Bot told legislators that Iran was ready to work with the IAEA and provide written guarantees that enriched uranium would not be used for military purposes.

He said Rowhani had assured him and Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende that IAEA inspectors could carry out their work in Iran round the clock.

The United States has accused Iran of trying to develop a nuclear bomb and has sought to have the IAEA refer Tehran to the Security Council for possible sanctions.

Iran denies Washington's charge, saying it is only interested in generating electricity to free up its vast oil and gas reserves for export.

The IAEA's executive board of governors is due to begin meeting on the issue on Sept. 13.

Source: Xinhua