MOSCOW. Jan 15 (Interfax-AVN) - Mohamed ElBaradei, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), praised the Russian proposal for a package approach to settling the North Korean problem.
He said "it is a very good proposal" in reply to reporters' questions upon his arrival in Moscow on Tuesday.
Moscow recently suggested offering multilateral security guarantees to North Korea in exchange for Pyongyang's concessions in the nuclear field.
Regarding the situation in and around Iraq, ElBaradei said that he plans to travel to Baghdad on Sunday, where he expects to meet with Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri and ask the Iraqi authorities for a meeting with local scientists who likely participated in R&D for weapons of mass destruction.
In response to questions from reporters, he said he does not intend to ask Russia to pressure Iraq to observe UN requirements.
ElBaradei added that the IAEA is in constant contact with Moscow and other parties interested in the Iraqi settlement.
Asked whether he intends to ask Moscow for some classified information about the possible production of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, he said he might.
He disagreed with the assumption that the efforts of international inspectors in Iraq are fruitless and that it could tire the IAEA.
ElBaradei said the IAEA has is not fed up and is only asking Iraq to cooperate efficiently with the international community.