Iran parliament urges revising against nuclear agency cooperation
Iran-UN, Politics, 12/30/2006

The Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis) this week ratified a double-urgency bill urging the government to speed up Iran's peaceful nuclear activities and make a revision in the country's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to meet interests of the nation.

The bill on Wednesday "urging the government to revise cooperation with the IAEA" was approved by MPs during the open session of the Majlis.

Iran's Majlis started review of the double-urgency of the bill during its Tuesday session.

The decision was made following adoption by the UN Security Council Resolution 1737 on Saturday night under the US pressure against Iran's peaceful nuclear program.

Of the total 191 votes cast, the double-urgency bill was ratified as 161 MPs voted in favor, 15 against and 15 abstained.

Addressing the session in favor of the bill, Majlis Speaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel said, "Iran has always been ready to hold negotiations on nuclear issue rationally and based on international regulations.

"The IAEA has repeatedly announced Iran had no diversion in its peaceful nuclear program but anti-Iran sanctions are raised while several countries in Asia have nuclear bombs." He said, "China, India, Pakistan, North Korea and the Zionist regime possess nuclear bombs. Japan has repeatedly announced it enjoys potentials to produce nuclear bombs.

"The Zionist regime admitted it has nuclear bombs but no one opposed to the issue." Majlis cautioned the government that its activities should not be restricted to the IAEA regulations, the speaker said, adding the government should show an appropriate and timely reaction.

According to the bill, doors are open for Iran's quitting the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and staying with the IAEA and conducting activities within the framework of international regulations.

Majlis First Vice-Speaker Mohammad-Reza Bahonar said that the Guardian Council confirmed Majlis nuclear ratification, saying the GC does not regard it as against the religion and the Constitution.

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for legal and parliamentary affairs Hamid-Reza Asefi referred to the UNSC anti-Iran Resolution 1737 and said that any arrogant approach towards the Iranian nation will produce reverse results.

Asefi attended today's Majlis open session to declare the government's view about the draft-bill ratified by MPs, based on which the government is urged to revise its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Addressing Majlis session, the outgoing deputy foreign minister said that the government agrees with this draft-bill.

According to the draft-bill, the government is required to expedite the country's nuclear program for peaceful purposes and revise its cooperation with the agency to secure the national interests.

Speaking to reporters at the end of Majlis open session, he pointed to the UNSC anti-Iran resolution, which was approved on December 23, as illegal and against law.

Turning to the dual purpose of the UNSC resolution, he said that it is aiming to suspend Iran's peaceful nuclear activities and prepare a negative psychological atmosphere against it.

Asefi noted that the ratified draft-bill on the need to revise the country's relations with the agency marks Majlis empathy with the government.

"Such empathy between Majlis and government on the issue provides the grounds for executive organs to make full use of their capacities for uranium enrichment.

Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani said on Wednesday that the anti-Iranian UN Security Council resolution is among arrows that has been aimed by the enemy to undermine the Islamic Republic of Iran.

"Such exhausted behaviors and tactics will make us stronger; today, the world is increasingly awakened and getting more resentful of the US," said Larijani.

Larijani said that recently, a US official said the resolution was issued to humiliate Iran.

When the US official was asked about ineffectiveness of such behaviors in the past, he said 'though such behaviors have not functioned well over the past 27 years, we are doing something else behind the stage', added Larijani.

"The literature of a country, which claims to be superpower and the so-called master of global affairs and activities, is such that it speaks of launching a global move to humiliate another country," ridiculed Larijani, adding, "Such behaviors are arrows that are aimed to undermine the Islamic Republic; on the contrary, they have made us more powerful." As for operation of 3,000 new centrifuges, Larijani said Iran has in the course of talks been stressing that its nuclear policies are consistent with global system and "if rights of our nation are not recognized we will continue our work." He said the IAEA had been informed of operation of the systems and nothing has been concealed.

"We are now going through early stages and the time for initiation of final works would be announced soon." A Majlis deputy said here Wednesday that the Iranian nation, parties and various political groups would defend access to peaceful nuclear energy unanimously.

MP from Nahavand city Mohammad-Taqi Kaviyani said "The US cannot frighten the Iranian nation by imposing economic sanctions against them and launching military operations," the MP said.

"Based on the recent decision made by the Security Council, we will tell the European Union that the US is the big evil and that it should not be influenced by Washington's illogical decisions.

"We tell the US not to make more irrational interference in the internal affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran which will bear no results," he added.

Addressing a group of theology students, deputy head of Imam Khomeini Relief Committee for cultural affairs Hamid-Reza Taraqi said the US, which failed to face extensive influence of Iran's Islamic Revolution in independent Muslim nations and governments, has in a desperate move this time turned the UN Security Council as a lever to carry out its conspiracies.

He said the resolution is totally futile because Iran's achievements in nuclear technology stem from intellect and talent of its experts and youth.

Supreme Leader's Advisor on International Affairs Ali Akbar Velayati said on Thursday that the UNSC anti-Iran resolution will have no impact on national nuclear program.

He said the resolution was not unexpected for Iran adding that the fate of national nuclear program has nothing to do with issuance or non-issuance of such resolutions.

"The resolution cannot prevent us from our research and development (R&D) program and we will go ahead with science and technology," he said.

"Since the outset of Islamic Revolution, we never hesitate to safeguards our legitimate rights and will do so," he said.

Tehran's Substitute Friday prayers leader Ayatollah Emami Kashani said Iranian nation would not give up its efforts to achieve its scientific goals.

Stressing that the issue of Iran's peaceful nuclear activities was politicized, the cleric said "it is now considered as a cold war." Rapporteur of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of Majlis (parliament) Kazem Jalali said yesterday UN Security Council resolution against Iran's peaceful nuclear program has no effect on the country's economic growth.

Jalali said Iran has observed all international regulations concerning its peaceful nuclear program.

The majlis deputy said Iran is aware of its right to use peaceful nuclear energy adding by 4.8 percent enrichment of uranium Iran concentrates its nuclear ability for industrial and peaceful uses.

Jalali stressed that with appropriate planning and employing young experts, Iran has gained access to a complicated and the most efficient advanced technology to be used in its industry.

He said Iran is now one of the world producers of heavy water adding the West knows if Iran becomes a nuclear power, it will promote its status in the region and the world.

Majlis deputy from Shahroud city stressed that issuing a resolution against Iran's peaceful nuclear program is not important, adding if the US does not issue a resolution against us, it should make us surprised.

Jalali said psychological warfare and creating discord are two main goals of the US in adopting the resolution, but Iran will use nuclear energy just for peaceful means.

Previous Stories:
  Iran unfazed by UN Security Council resolution against it   (12/23/2006)
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