The chief of the UN nuclear watchdog said countries seeking to develop atomic programs would first need to feel secure of their role within the international community before considering halting their nuclear drive.

"You need to address a package of measures. You know, security, economics, humanitarian. At the end of the day, you need to make the country feel secure enough that they do not feel the temptation or the drive to develop nuclear weapons." ElBaradei said.

At a conference in Washington D.C. on Monday to address nuclear non-proliferation, the IAEA chief cited the example of North Korea and the lessons one can learn from negotiations on the North's nuclear programs. ElBaradei, a winner of this year's Nobel Peace Prize, said it was important to help Pyongyang understand that nuclear weapons are not the way to protect itself in the future.

In the case of Iran, Baradei said IAEA inspectors were making progress in probing the country's nuclear weapons plans, though the inspectors have not yet been allowed in the Lavizan facility, where high-explosive tests are being conducted. Iran broke off talks with Britain, France and Germany earlier this year but has recently offered to reopen negotiations with them.

Arirang News