EU representative may clear ambiguities in nuclear proposal
Iran-UN, Politics, 6/13/2006

European Union High Representative for a common foreign and security policy, Javier Solana, said Monday that more meetings will be needed with the Iranian side to discuss the new EU package to resolve the nuclear issue.

"We will need some other meetings to exchange of views because there are a lot of things which are not easy to digest in a very short period," Solana told a press conference in Luxembourg Monday evening following the meeting of EU foreign ministers.

"It is not very easy to give a clear response in a short time. We know that," he said.

Solana said he expects an answer from Iran "very soon." solona said "We will continue to maintain the atmosphere, the temperature as cool as possible to continue contacts that will help resolve the problem, not to complicate the situation."

The EU and US can be said to be under great pressure to force Iran to enter into talks due to the increasing support Iran has gained to its position, and the progress Iran is making in its civil nuclear program. In one day, some 114 countries of the non aligned movement most recently declared emphatic support to Iran's right to full nuclear rights.

Also, the Washington Post reported today that potential hoped for support from Japan is fading in case negotiations on the Iran nuclear file fails saying "Privately, Japanese officials have said they intend to set a high bar for any action. 'We would not do anything without the full support of the international community,' a senior Japanese government official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the issue's sensitivity.

"The problem is very complicated," Solana said, indicating he will contact the Iranian officials before week end. This could be an indication that Solona may want to clarify the ambiguities that Iran has said is in the nuclear package offer that Solona had earlier presented.

This comes as yesterday, the IAEA board of governors held a meeting and its report was inclusive of all IAEA's activities during the course of the last year, including those related to nuclear security technology, latest issues in which the IAEA has been entangled, including Iran's nuclear program, and latest methods for testing the truthfulness of various countries claims regarding their nuclear activities.

Iran's Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani in a press conference yesterday said direct talks between Iran and the USA could be constructive when the Americans abandon their hostile behavior towards Iran and use logical methods.

Responding to a question concerning the possibility of beginning direct talks between Iran and USA, Larijani said the issue is fully related to the American behavior; if they change their point of views concerning regional issues and stop hostility, the negotiation can be done and can be constructive.

He went on to say negotiation by itself is neutral, but the most important thing is how the talks are directed; if negotiation is done in a proper manner it could be constructive, otherwise it could be destructive.

Speaking on any regional concerns "Persian Gulf states are our valuable friends and the point should be made that Iran has never threatened its neighbors."

On anther question whether the aim of his trip to Egypt and Algeria is to describe Iran's position regarding nuclear row, or looking to garner support of Arab states, Larijani added "We regularly consult all nations that have common interest with us including Algeria."

"As secretary of Arab League Amr Moussa has said Arab nations support Iran's position on the nuclear issue."

Iran nuclear dossier is moving on the path similar to what other nations have opted to have access to peaceful nuclear energy, Larijani underlined.
All the members of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and signatories to the Non-Proliferation Treaty have the right to have peaceful nuclear program, he said.

When asked if Iranians and Algerians have discussed nuclear cooperation, he added "Tehran's position is clear and as far as cooperation with other nations is concerned we are ready to do so within the framework of IAEA."

He also alluded to the India-US nuclear cooperation as a token of double standards by Washington.

"Of course India is friend of Iran and we do not have any problems with India's nuclear cooperation with other nations, but the problem is that while India has nuclear weapons and is not a signatory to the NPT, the US cooperate with it, but it resorts to belligerent and threatening posture towards Iran."
The problem lies with the US and its policies of double standards, he reiterated.

Iran is ready to discuss removing any ambiguities in its nuclear activities, but these should be without preconditions, he said.

Previous Stories:
  Iran will try for understanding with on nuclear issue   (6/10/2006)
  ElBaradei repeats same charge on centrifuges contamination   (6/9/2006)
  Jannati: Iran will not to compromise nuclear rights   (6/9/2006)
  Non-Aligned countries declare support to Iran nuclear rights   (5/30/2006)

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