Chief of UN nuclear watchdog says Fukushima leak "high priority", Iran bites

Описание: (9 Sep 2013) The head of the UN nuclear agency on Monday expressed concern over the leak of radioactive water from Japan's tsunami-crippled Fukushima nuclear plant, saying that the issue "needs to be addressed urgently."
Speaking at a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) board of governors, Yukiya Amano said "the leak of contaminated water is a matter of high priority."
The operator of the plant, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), acknowledged in July that contaminated underground water has been flowing into the Pacific Ocean since soon after a massive earthquake and tsunami hit the plant in 2001, knocking out its power and cooling systems and causing three reactors to melt.
Recent leaks of radioactive water from storage tanks have added to fears that TEPCO is unable to cope with the large amounts of contaminated water generated by the process of cooling the nuclear fuel in the damaged reactors.
Addressing different range of issues, Amano also expressed concern over the lack of up-to-date information about Iran's nuclear activities.
"Iran is not providing the necessary cooperation to enable us to provide credible assurance about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities. The agency therefore cannot conclude that all nuclear material in Iran is in peaceful activities," he said.
Amano's comments came as the EU General Court said it would throw out penalties imposed on eight Iranian banks and businesses for their alleged ties to Iran's nuclear programme, because there wasn't sufficient evidence to justify the sanctions imposed by the bloc.
Amano also said that there will be another round of talks on Iran's nuclear programme with the country's negotiators.
"Another round of talks is planned for 27th September in Vienna. It remains essential and urgent for Iran to engage with us on the substance of our concerns. The agency remains committed to working constructively with Iran under the country's new government to resolve outstanding issues by diplomatic means."
Iranian President Hasan Rouhani has also confirmed that Iran's foreign ministry _ led by Javad Zarif, a Western-educated diplomat _ will direct nuclear talks with world powers, marking a shift away from the often more hawkish security officials who had previously set the negotiation strategy.
Iran denies any interest in nuclear weapons, insisting that both uranium enrichment and nuclear reactors are meant for peaceful purposes, such as production of energy and medical and scientific research.
Since 2006, it has shrugged off numerous UN Security Council and other international sanctions meant to curb its nuclear activities, as well as incentives offered during international negotiations and aimed at the same goal.

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