U.N. nuclear chief calls for world check on weapons-use uranium

UNITED NATIONS -- The U.N. nuclear chief called Monday for the United Nations to consider putting all production of weapons-usable uranium and plutonium around the world under international control to limit "the increasing threat" posed by countries and terrorists.

Mohamed ElBaradei cited the "serious and immediate challenge" posed by North Korea's withdrawal from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, the urgent need to determine the full extent of Iran's nuclear program, lingering questions about Iraq's nuclear efforts, and illegal trafficking in radioactive material.

In his annual report to the 191-nation General Assembly, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said recent events have put the existing international regime to control the spread of nuclear weapons "under growing stress."

The time has come, he said, "to resolve to pursue whatever actions are required, including new ways of thinking and unconventional approaches, to ensure that nuclear energy remains a source of hope and prosperity, and not a tool for self-destruction."

With information and expertise on how to produce nuclear weapons "much more accessible" than when the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty was being negotiated in the 1960s, ElBaradei said it has become far more important to control access to highly enriched uranium and plutonium, which are the key ingredients.

"In light of the increasing threat of proliferation, both by states and by terrorists, one idea that may now be worth serious consideration is the advisability of limiting the processing of weapon-usable material ... in civilian nuclear programs as well as the production of new material through reprocessing and enrichment -- by agreeing to restrict these operations exclusively to facilities under multinational control," he said.

"Weapon-usable" can be lower grade uranium that is enriched to make weapons-grade uranium.

Outlining the major nuclear challenges, ElBaradei said the IAEA has not been able to perform any inspections in North Korea since December "and cannot therefore provide any level of assurance about the non-diversion of nuclear material."

"We have continued to emphasize the need for a comprehensive settlement of the Korean crisis through dialogue, and it is my hope that the six-party talks would lead to such a settlement," he said.

North Korea said last week that it will consider a U.S. offer of multilateral security assurances for ending its nuclear program, sparking hopes of further negotiations. The North has been insisting on a formal nonaggression treaty with the United States, which Washington rejects.

Under pressure from the IAEA board, Iran recently handed over what it said was a complete declaration of its nuclear activities, and ElBaradei said inspectors are in the process of verifying that dossier.

He noted that Iran has also expressed its intention to sign an additional protocol to the nonproliferation treaty giving IAEA inspectors unfettered access to its nuclear facilities, "which is a key to our ability to provide comprehensive assurance" that its nuclear program is peaceful.

ElBaradei said he would report to the board this month "on the status of our implementation of safeguards in Iran."

He urged all countries to sign the protocol allowing unannounced nuclear inspections.

ElBaradei also called for the return of U.N. weapons inspectors to Iraq.