イラン核開発 制裁を強化する以外にない

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Nov. 19, 2011)
Tougher sanctions needed against Iran over N-program
イラン核開発　制裁を強化する以外にない（11月18日付・読売社説）

As has long been suspected, Iran may be trying to develop nuclear weapons.
　やはりイランは核兵器保有の道を歩んでいるのではないか。

Yukiya Amano, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, has released a report on Iran's nuclear development program that provides many pieces of information underscoring such suspicions.
　そうした疑念を裏付ける数々の情報を列挙し、分析したイラン核開発に関する報告書を、国際原子力機関（ＩＡＥＡ）の天野之弥事務局長が発表した。

We note that the report says information obtained by the U.N. nuclear watchdog "indicates that Iran has carried out activities relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device."
　報告書が、「イランが核爆発装置の開発に関連する活動を行ったことを示している」と指摘した点を注目しなければならない。

Specifically, the IAEA has learned that Tehran has developed a special detonator that can trigger an explosive device with great accuracy.
　具体的には、正確に起爆させる特殊な雷管を開発していた。

It has also learned that Iran has conducted a large test using powerful explosives.
高性能爆薬による大規模な起爆実験を実施した。

In addition, Iran has built a large facility at a military installation to conduct detonation tests, and is continuing to develop a nuclear detonation device that will use highly enriched uranium, according to the IAEA report.
大型の起爆実験用設備を軍事施設に作った。高濃縮ウランを使う核爆発装置の開発に利用可能な研究を行った――。

There is only one explanation for these moves: Iran is developing nuclear weapons.
　いずれも核兵器開発を目指した動きと見れば、説明がつく。

===

Nuclear test matter of time

Iran has failed to halt its uranium enrichment activities, as demanded in U.N. Security Council resolutions.
　しかもイランは、国連安全保障理事会の諸決議に反して、ウラン濃縮活動をやめていない。

According to the report, Iran had produced about five tons of low-enriched uranium as of early November, and had 73.7 kilograms of uranium with a concentration level boosted to 20 percent by the end of September.
　報告書によると、これまでに生産した低濃縮ウランの量は１１月初めで約５トンに達し、濃縮度を２０％に高めたウランの保有量も９月末に７３・７キロ・グラムとなった。

If allowed to continue enriching uranium at this pace, Iran will almost certainly possess a significant amount of highly enriched uranium with a concentration level of 90 percent or more that could be used in nuclear weapons. 　このままイランが濃縮活動を続ければ、核兵器の原料となる濃縮度９０％以上の高濃縮ウランを相当量、保有可能となる。

It is only a matter of time before Iran carries out a nuclear test.
核実験を行うのも時間の問題となろう。

This is a cause for grave concern.
危惧を抱かざるを得ない。

Iran, for its part, has consistently denied its nuclear development program is military in nature, insisting the program is for "peaceful purposes."
　イランは「平和利用」と主張して軍事利用を否定している。

If this is so, Iran must allay suspicions by truthfully answering all the questions it is asked.
それなら、疑問に自ら答えて疑惑を払拭すべきだ。

Tehran must halt its uranium enrichment activities and cooperate with the IAEA by allowing the nuclear watchdog to carry out inspections.
ウラン濃縮を停止し、ＩＡＥＡが必要とする査察を受け入れ、協力する必要がある。

If Iran continues to refuse to comply with the Security Council resolutions calling for suspension of uranium enrichment and beefed-up inspections of its nuclear facilities, the international community will have no option but to take additional stringent measures.
　だが今回も、ウラン濃縮の停止や査察の拡大を求める安保理決議の履行を拒むのであれば、国際社会は厳正に対処するほかない。

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China, Russia reluctant

There is a possibility that Israel may take matters into its own hands and carry out a preemptive attack on Iran's nuclear facility.
　イスラエルが先制攻撃で核施設を破壊する可能性も取りざたされている。

As it is virtually impossible for Israel to destroy such a nuclear facility, there is a danger that such an attack could touch off retaliatory terrorist attacks and even trigger a war.
完全な破壊は困難であるだけに、むしろ反撃のテロや戦争に拡大する危険があろう。

Under the circumstances, the international community should place priority, at least for now, on having the Security Council adopt a new resolution imposing tougher economic sanctions on Iran.
　国際社会は当面、安保理で経済制裁を強化する決議を採択することを優先すべきだ。

U.S. President Barack Obama has said he has reached an accord with Chinese and Russian leaders to act in concert in dealing with Iran's nuclear program.
　オバマ米大統領は、中露首脳と「共通の対応をとることで一致した」と言うが、

The reluctance, however, of Beijing and Moscow to strengthen sanctions against Iran on the grounds that pressure on Iran would not yield desirable results is problematic.
中露が「圧力で効果は得られない」として制裁強化に後ろ向きなのは問題だ。

Iran is highly unlikely to change its stance without pressure like harsher economic sanctions.
圧力がなければイランは変わるまい。

For Japan, there is a much more realistic nuclear threat closer to home. Threats from North Korea are far more serious for us than Iran's nuclear and missile development.
　日本にとって、核・ミサイル開発ではイランよりもはるかに深刻な、北朝鮮という現実の脅威がすぐそばに存在する。

The international community should demand that Iran halt its uranium enrichment activities, and if Tehran fails to do so, stronger sanctions must be imposed on Iran.
　イランにはウラン濃縮の停止を求め、行動を改めないなら、制裁を強化するしかない。

As a matter of course, these sanctions should also be applied to North Korea.
無論、北朝鮮に対しても、同様である。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 18, 2011)
（2011年11月18日01時47分 読売新聞）