Fox & Friends First

Monday, December 13, 2004

IAEA WATCHDOG

Kiran Chetry: There is word the U.S. is poring over phone intercepts of U.N.’s nuclear watchdog chief, Muhammad ElBaradei. Seems that U.S. is looking to oust the IAEA chief. But why?

Steve Doocy: Don’t ask me. Let’s ask Fox News Foreign Affairs Analyst and the man who revealed that several Iranian nuclear facilities exist, Alireza Jafarzadeh. Good morning to you Alireza.

Alireza Jafarzadeh: Good morning Steve, good morning Kiran.

Steve Doocy: So as I understand who is it like the CIA or one of our secret agencies somehow we already know that they’ve sucked out of the sky or tapped the phone of ElBaradei and he’s talking a lot to the Iranians.

Alireza Jafarzadeh: Well, Steve I think there is clearly a problem here. There is certainly frustration here and I think the core of the problem is that it seems that the U.N. nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, is not getting much done in containing Iran’s nuclear weapons programs. It is moving in snail’s pace. Instead of a full court press inspection, it has even failed to inspect some of the sites. I think one notable example is recently a site near Tehran, known as Lavizan- that was revealed by Iran’s main opposition, the National Council of Resistance --as being the site that Iran is doing laser enrichment and as we speak the IAEA has yet to even request to go and inspect that site. So, it’s a very serious problem there.

Kiran Chetry: so its more- its not a personal vendetta- against Mr. ElBaradei apparently he’s well respected within the United Nations, but as a result of some of these investigations its become more and more clear that Iran has been able to consistently get away with complying but not quite complying with some of the agreements that that country made -with the EU. Why does it seem, you and I have talked about this before, that Washington that the United States is the only one who is terribly concerned about the possibility and the prospect that Iran is not doing what its supposed to do when it comes to stopping proliferation.

Alireza Jafarzadeh: Kiran, I think that you are exactly right. First of all I think the way the IAEA operates --the whole function of the IAEA-- I don’t think it’s really built to stop the nuclear weapons program of a country like Iran which is the world’s leading state-sponsor of terrorism. I think perhaps the more appropriate vehicle to do that is the UN Security Council that has more authority that actually has enforcement arms that can pass resolutions that are binding resolutions. Unfortunately, you mentioned the other countries’ role, particularly the Europeans. They are more interested in cutting deals with Iran and in improving trade with Iran. Today actually the EU three is starting its talks with Iran and it seems to me that they are ready to bend over backwards again in dealing with Iran.

Steve Doocy: So, isn’t it true Alireza, that this information about Muhammad Elbaradei is coming out because the United States would like him out, but a bunch of some of the other members of the UN have said you know what your terms are going to expire next summer and we would like to see you come up for a third but the US is saying look it is not working “Mo” when it comes to Iran. So you know, beat it.

Alireza Jafarzadeh: Certainly, I know there are discussions on the term limits about the director general of the IAEA. But I think the broader question; the core of the problem is the function of the IAEA which is really not up to the task in containing Iran’s nuclear weapon program. I think the U.S. should definitely insist on referring Iran’s file to the United Nations Security Council and at the same time step up pressure, political pressure on Iran by reaching out to the opposition who is calling for a regime change in Iran. That is the kind of meaningful measure you need to take.

Kiran Chetry: Right, and Alireza that was so nice of you to politely ignore the new nickname Steve gave for Mr. ElBaradei, “Mo.”

Steve Doocy: I have heard of him being referred to that way. All right Alireza thank you.

Kiran Chetry: Thank you very much.

Alireza Jafarzadeh: Thank you very much.

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