EU positive on Larijani-Solana meeting
Iran-European Union, Politics, 9/5/2006

European Union High Representative for common foreign and security policy, Javier Solana, is to meet secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Larijani this week to seek clarification on Iran's response to the EU package of incentives on August 22 related with Iran's nuclear program.

Solana's spokesperson Cristina Gallach said in Brussels yesterday that the reply presented by the Iranians is a "very long document and it is worth to get some clarification."

Gallach said some points in the Iranian document are "not clear enough," adding that "we are very positive to listen to the Iranian side."

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Jalili yesterday warned against any sanctions to be imposed on Iran and underlined that the move will certainly have a negative impact at the international level, in particular on the energy market.

The deputy foreign minister made the remark in an interview with the Finish daily, Helsingin Sanomat. "West does not know much about Iran. It is a big country with plenty of natural resources and educated individuals," he said.

Turning to the country's nuclear program, he said that Iran is a member of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and considers that it is entitled to uranium enrichment for peaceful purposes.

Underlining that Iran's nuclear activities are fully supervised by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the official said, "We have so long proceeded with confidence-building measures beyond the IAEA expectation.

"Besides, we volunteered to suspend uranium enrichment process for over two years."

In response to a question about Iran's reaction to the possible bombardment of its nuclear installations by the US and Israel, he said that to Iran is not unfamiliar with a military approach.

Concerning the package of proposal of the so called 5+1 group to Iran, he told the Finish reporter, "Iran has submitted a complete 20-page response to the proposal. It is now their turn to react. They seem to be interested in continuing talks on the issue."

President Ahmadi-Nejad said that Iranian nuclear program is transparent and in line with the Safeguards Agreement of Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

"What we say is that if nuclear energy is something good and useful, then, all the signatory states to NPT should benefit from it, otherwise, no one should have it," President Ahmadi-Nejad said.

Previous Stories:
  Iran parliament ratified outline for banning of nuclear inspectors   (9/5/2006)
  Iran unfazed on nuclear issue; EU to reopen talks   (8/31/2006)
  Iran peaceful nuclear decision final: Ahmadi-Nejad   (8/28/2006)
  Iran nuclear issue shifts back to UN Security Council   (7/13/2006)
  President: Iran will not give up nuclear right   (7/12/2006)

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