DUSHANBE, August 8, 2008, Asia-Plus - Deputy Director General, Head of the Department of Safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Olli Heinonen will arrive in the Iranian capital on Thursday to discuss prospects for cooperation between Iran and the IAEA.

The agenda of the talks with the Islamic Republic’s officials has not been disclosed. According to certain information, the visit will last three days and will be part of the IAEA’s programme of monitoring nuclear activities of the Islamic Republic. Heinonen will also hold consultations at the Iranian Atomic Energy Organisation, sources said.

International observers say that the IAEA emissary may discuss with Iranian officials, among other things, Tehran’s answer to proposals of the “six” (five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany). The sextet has been expecting to get the answer since July 19. The point at issue is the package of economic and technological projects for the Iranians that are to show them the benefit from cooperation with the international community in the event of freezing uranium enrichment activities that cause the West’s concern.