France opposes Iran nuclear deal without military site checks
The Daily Star | 05:40 PM
Agence France Presse
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/World/2015/May-27/299460-france-opposes-iran-nuclear-deal-without-military-site-checks.ashx

PARIS: French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said Wednesday that France
would oppose a nuclear deal with Iran if it did not allow inspections of
military sites.

An agreement "will not be accepted by France if it is not clear that
verifications can be made at all Iranian facilities, including military
sites," Fabius told parliament.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei last week ruled out inspections
at military sites.

But Yukiya Amano, the head of the UN's atomic watchdog, told AFP Tuesday
that Iran has agreed to implementing the Additional Protocol of the Nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) that allows for snap inspections of its
nuclear facilities, and if required, military sites.

"When we find inconsistency or when we have doubts, we can request access to
the undeclared location for example, and this could include military sites,"
said the Japanese diplomat.

"Some consideration is needed because of the sensitiveness of the site, but
the IAEA has the right to request access at all locations, including
military ones."

But Iran appears to be interpreting the protocol differently. As well as
Khamenei's comments, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has said the
protocol allows "some access" but not inspections of military sites, in
order to protect national "military or economic secrets."

Iran and the so-called P5+1 group - Britain, China, France, Russia, the
United States plus Germany - have been engaged for nearly two years in
negotiations on Tehran's nuclear programme.

The deal is aimed at preventing Iran from developing the atomic bomb in
exchange for an easing of crippling economic sanctions.

The two sides signed a framework agreement on April 2 and began meeting in
Vienna Wednesday to start finalizing a deal which is due by June 30.