Iran cooperation with IAEA based on nuclear treaty
Iran-UN, Politics, 2/4/2007

Iran's permanent envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Ali-Asghar Soltaniyeh today underlined that Iran will cooperate with IAEA based on Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Majlis' ratification.

Soltaniyeh added that following the issuance of UN Security Council's resolution 1737 which does not have any legal basis, IAEA Secretary General Mohamed Elbaradei underlined that there is no document pertaining to Iran's diversion from its peaceful nuclear program, and some western countries' politically-motivated allegations are invalid in this respect.

"We notified the agency, given the continued hostile activities against Iran, Tehran cannot avoid responding to these acts," he said.

"On the remaining issues of concern, we will interact with IAEA and abide by our commitments." Touching on the recent visit to Isfahan UCF installations by ambassadors of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and Group 77 as well as 90 corespondents and photographers, he added that the visitors were astonished by the significant developments on peaceful nuclear technology achieved by talented Iranian youth.

He called the visit as a sign of Iran's transparent policy which is often unseen in other countries, saying that their presence in Isfahan nuclear site is considered a proper move to foil the West's propaganda against the country.

Pointing to Iran's priority to the NAM member states to visit the nuclear site, he noted that they have always issued statements to support Tehran's right to peaceful nuclear program in UN sessions, therefore, they have been given priority over biased western experts.

Turning to Elbaradei's report in February 2006 on the installation of centrifuges in Iran, he said, IAEA chief formally announced that the country plans to install 3,000 centrifuges in Natanz, Isfahan province, from the end of the year.

Iran has accepted to the installation of cameras in Isfahan and Natanz nuclear sites, he noted, adding that the IAEA cameras have monitored all processes of UCF production.

Pointing to Tehran's efforts to force the Zionist regime to give up its atomic weapon program, he said that one part of agenda in NAM session pertained to Iran's suggestion on the regime's illegitimate nuclear activities, and other countries also announced their concern about the issue.

"We have conducted some negotiations with member states of the NAM and the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) on the critical issue, and expect the (IAEA) Board of Governor to seriously explore Zionists' atomic arsenals," he added.

Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani said yesterday that the negotiators involved in Iran's nuclear talks left the session.

Turning to his recent contact with IAEA Chief ElBaradei, he said that during the talks it was underlined that Iran's nuclear issue should be solved through negotiation. Larijani noted that Iran's attempts to gain access to nuclear technology for peaceful purposes is in line with its national interests.

He said that becoming nuclear is not a luxury, but that it is required for Iran's future development. He said Iran has set no limitation to cameras installed by the IAEA in its nuclear facility in Natanz, and that "In accordance with rules and regulations of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the safeguards regime, Iran is giving a free hand to IAEA inspectors in their activities.

Iran's Chairman of the Expediency Council Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said today that the US has planned to commit aggression on Iran and will see how Iranians will stand up against them. He made the remarks in a gathering to commemorate the martyrs of sacred defence, Iraqi-imposed war (1980-1988) in Varamin.

Iran had been the targets of the enemies for almost three decades and the Iraqi-imposed war was the largest, he said. Solidarity of the Iranian nation have always foiled the plots of the enemies, he said.

Referring to Iran's success to produce nuclear energy, he said, "We have established hardware through benefiting from our own capabilities." "No country in the world can deprive itself of nuclear energy and the enemy cannot tolerate our significant success," he said.

Iranian scientists with reliance upon their own knowledge managed to produce nuclear energy but the enemies try to bring excuses in order to deprive us of our legitimate right, he underlined.

The US deployed its troops in Iraq, suffer casualties, bear heavy spending and has been trapped in Iraq's quagmire and then try to put the blames on Iran, he pointed out.

"We are happy to witness that the former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein who committed many crimes have been executed but we are dissatisfied with the current situation in Iraq which is much worse than that of Saddam," Rafsanjani said.

Head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization (IAEO) Reza Aqazadeh said today that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has installed some cameras at new locations in Natanz Nuclear Complex, including the "gas injection and storehouse" sections, over the past two days.

The remark was made at a press conference after meeting the ambassadors to IAEA from the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Troika, including Saudi Arabia, Cuba and Malaysia, plus the Group of 77.

The IAEO head added that these cameras are now in full operation.

Aqazadeh said that the implementation of nuclear facilities in Natanz and Isfahan was within the NPT framework, adding that Iran is still committed to comply with this treaty.

He made the statement in response to a question about the installation of two cameras within the framework of additional cooperation in the production process of UF6 (uranium hexa fluoride gas) at Isfahan UCF complex, despite the bill ratified by Majlis on suspension of the Additional Protocol based on which such additional cooperation should have stopped.

"The relevant bill does not bound us to discontinue our activities within the NPT framework, rather encourages cooperation with NPT.

"In the past, measures were taken within the framework of the Additional Protocol or even beyond it. However, Majlis called on the government not to go beyond the NPT framework and we attempt to do so," he added.

In reply to a question about the recent inspection of Iran's nuclear activities in Natanz and Isfahan and Resolution 1737 as well as the expected future report of IAEA chief, he said that given the UN nuclear watchdog is fully aware of Iran's current activities in the field, Mohamed ElBaradei is bound to specify in his report that no violation from international laws has been observed.

Concerning Resolution 1737, he said that given Iran finds it legally incorrect and practically unjust, it will not comply with it.

About the reference of some foreign media to the visit of NAM troika and G-77 envoys to IAEA as insignificant, including CNN, given that their relevant countries have no seats at the UN Security Council, he said that the seven-member delegation represents more than one billion people from the world community.

"Besides, they represent the majority of the international community. Therefore, one can hardly say that they do not represent nations, and their presence is not noticeable," he added.

Turning to his talks with the visiting diplomats, he said that they admitted that Iran's nuclear program is not only in interest of Iranians, but that it is a cause of concern for everyone and is associated with the destiny of all developing countries as well as NAM member states.

"In fact, the efforts and cooperation of NAM member states are also to their own benefit. Therefore, they are eager to extend the dimensions of such cooperation.

"Meanwhile, Iran has informed the IAEA that it is ready to draw up a working plan for solving the remaining problems within a certain period of time," he concluded.

Aqazadeh said Sunday that the outstanding issues with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) would be resolved at a meeting of the agency's Board of Governors. Aqazadeh said that Iran continues its favorable cooperation with the IAEA, adding that there is no special problem concerning the current affairs in the sector.

"The outstanding issues with the IAEA is related to the past, which can be solved at a meeting of the agency's Board of Governors.

"However, since Iran's nuclear program has been politicized, unless the political problems are resolved, the IAEA cannot terminate them, neither is it willing to do so," he added.

He cited the outstanding issues as pollution, processing of plutonium and the problem of Lavizan which can be solved in a single session, given that more than 100 hours have been spent on discussing them.

In response to reporters repeated questions about 3,000 centrifuges, the IAEO head told them to be patient, adding that information in this regard will be disseminated in the future.

Aqazadeh promised domestic and foreign reporters to take them along to Natanz in the coming 7-8 days.

Iran has planned to establish early stage of fuel-cycle with commissioning 3,000 centrifuges on February 11. Iran needs to produce fuel for its power plants.

Iran's Majlis Speaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel said today that Iran's peaceful nuclear case had become just a pretext for the US.

Haddad-Adel made the remark while addressing Majlis open session.

"Majlis deputies have strongly stressed the continuation of enrichment several times and urged the government to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes," he said.

He added, "The case of peaceful use of nuclear energy is a national demand." Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad said today that self-belief is one of achievements of the Islamic Revolution and the key for the national progress and development.

In a meeting with researchers and scientists held to honor success of Iranian scientists on repair of spinal cord injuries, President Ahmadi-Nejad said, "The arrogant system strives to deprive nations of self-reliance to retain their domination over them. A nation which does not believe in itself will lose an opportunity to move forward to progress and conquer its peaks," he said.

Ahmadi-Nejad said on Saturday that the anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution (February 11) marks the day for proving Iran's inalienable right to access nuclear energy and declaration of the nation's participation in the trend of national progress. He noted that today the Iranian nation is vigilant and constantly present on the scene, adding that on February 11 the Iranians will come out once more to disappoint their ill-wishers.

Previous Stories:
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  Ahmadi-Nejad: Iran to declare nuclear victory   (1/6/2007)
  Iran parliament urges revising against nuclear agency cooperation   (12/30/2006)

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