Talks on Iran's peaceful nuclear program in London
Iran-UN, Politics, 2/26/2007

Diplomats from the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany (5+1 Group) are meeting in London today for a fresh round of talks on the dispute over Iran's peaceful nuclear program.

The meeting comes after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported last week that sanctions imposed in December had no effect in forcing Iran to suspend its right of uranium enrichment program as a precondition for talks.

By refusing to suspend its nuclear enrichment and reprocessing activities, Iran is continuing to isolate itself from the international community, according to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Responding to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad's stated refusal to "reverse" his country's nuclear program, Rice said, "They don't need a reverse gear. They need a stop button. They need to stop enriching and reprocessing and then we can sit down and talk about whatever is on Iran's mind."

Rice added that if Iran suspends its enrichment and reprocessing activities, she would be prepared to meet an Iranian representative at any time. "That should be a clear signal," she said.

The Foreign Office in London said that the meeting, which is being held behind closed doors, will be "the first of several exchanges that will happen over coming weeks." "This is one of meetings at political directors level to assess the most appropriate measures and re-evaluate ways to persuade Iran," a spokesman said.

The so-called 5+1 countries have two choices of focusing on seeking ways of obtaining a breakthrough on restarting talks with Iran without any preconditions or discuss more sanctions.

The Foreign Office spokesman said that the pursuit was for a "diplomatic solution." The officials are attending the London meeting amid reports that it could take months again to sort out disagreements on any new measure.

The previous resolution in December imposing limited sanctions on Iran took months to work its way through the Security Council because of a lack of consensus. A new agreement could prove even more difficult following reports that diplomats at the IAEA in Vienna disclosed that the intelligence claims made by the US about Iran's nuclear program have proved to be unfounded and unreliable.

Questions have been raised about the basis of Iran's case being referred to the Security Council from the UN specialized agency, IAEA, because it has the right to enrich uranium like all states signatories to the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

An Iranian lawmaker said today that Iran has time and again announced that it will not bow to any demand to give up its nuclear rights. Member of the Majlis Presiding Board Hamid-Reza Hajibabaie said that emphasis on access to peaceful nuclear technology is a national resolve. Hajibabaie said dialogue is the only option for settling the nuclear case.

"Negotiation does not mean compromise on Iranian nation's right and national interests," he announced. The MP announced, "We will never surrender to the West's wishes."

Azeri President Ilham Aliyev today said that his country supports Iran's peaceful nuclear program.
He made the remarks in a meeting with outgoing Iranian Ambassador to Baku Afshar Soleimani.
He said, "I have declared time and again that Iran's nuclear stand-off would only be resolved through peaceful negotiations."

This came as Iran's government spokesman Gholam-Hossein Elham said today that the cause for delay in transfer of fuel to Bushehr nuclear power plant is being pursued and will be solved through talks.
He underlined that discussions between the two countries on the issue just concerns the type of hard currency and whether payment should be made in euro or dollar.

Such delays have been seen by some as part of the reason Iran cannot depend on foreign sources for critical nuclear fuel, that can be used as a political tool to pressure Iran on policies.

Concerning the meetings of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (UNSC) plus Germany (5+1 group) in London, he hoped that some countries seeking to disregard international laws and logic will realize the realities, respect law and nations' rights.
Underlining that the era of bullying as well as hues and cries is over, he said that today the world is on a course of reason and that those intending to disrupt such a trend will be isolated, harming themselves and the world community.

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov today stressed the need for a negotiated solution to Iran's nuclear problem. "We will do all within our power to find negotiated solutions," Lavrov said at a Russian cabinet session, chaired by Russian president Vladimir Putin.

"Moscow will do everything, in accordance with the line that you have set, in accordance with your addresses to Iran's leadership and your contacts with the leaders of the countries that are among the "six" (nations negotiating on the Iranian nuclear issue), to come to negotiated solutions," Lavrov said.

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe said Monday in Harare that bullying powers were the real axis of evil, war and bloodshed in the world. He made the remarks while receiving the credentials of newly appointed Iranian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Rasoul Mo'meni. Expressing his support for Iran's right to pursue nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, President Mugabe decried the fact that countries which oppose Iran's nuclear activities have ever-increasing atomic arsenals in their own territories.
He said that Iran and Zimbabwe are opposed by big powers because of their independent stances on international issues.

Thai Minister of Information and Communications Technology Sitthichai Pokai-udom said in Bangkok today that the right to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes belongs to all countries, including Iran. Pokai-udom made the remarks during a meeting with Iranian Ambassador to Thailand Mohsen Pak-Ayeen.

He said all countries will eventually aim for development and use of nuclear energy because of its great uses, including as an alternative to decreasing fossil energy supplies in the world.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz yesterday called for a diplomatic solution to the Iran nuclear issue, stressing that use of force should be avoided. Addressing foreign ministers of seven key Muslim nations gathered in the Pakistani capital to discuss problems in the region, he underscored the need to refrain from moves that would exacerbate tensions.
"It is vital that all issues must be resolved through diplomacy and there must be no resort to use of force," he said.

Iran's Secretary of the Expediency Council Mohsen Rezaie reiterated yesterday that Iranian authorities were determined to defend the interests and nuclear rights of the Iranian nation.

Talking to reporters at the end of a gathering of military commanders marking the anniversary of the Fath-ol Mobin operation, he said Iran was determined to achieve the peak of success in the field of nuclear energy.

Tehran's insistence on its right to pursue peaceful nuclear energy has elicited numerous pressures, including economic sanctions and psychological war, on the nation, he added. Rezaie also stressed Iranian commitment to international law, rules and regulations.

Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki Sunday said that negotiation and recognition of Iran's rights to access nuclear technology for peaceful purposes based on NPT is the only way to solve the issue and declared readiness for such talks.

Deputy Head of Iran's Atomic Energy Agency Mohammad Saeedi said Saturday that Iran responded positively to the UN nuclear watchdog's call to see the 15-page document on production of metallic uranium.

He said that Iran prepared the grounds for making the document available to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors, while it could have rejected the call.

Concerning plutonium tests, he said that in a letter, the IAEA called for more accurate and complete information on Iran's plutonium test.

About the reference to Arak heavy water projects in the report of IAEA chief, Mohamed ElBaradei, he said that according to the IAEA, the reactors have been tested and no problem has been observed.

Replying to the question about the activities underway at the Uranium Conversion Facilities (UCF) in Isfahan and Natanz, he said that their various stages are viewed by IAEA cameras and inspected by its inspectors. He noted that the activities in Natanz facilities are conducted under the supervision of the IAEA and are inspected once a month.

Turning to reports of Western media on the issue, he said that they continue "propoganda" despite ElBaradei's recent report which confirms that no reprocessing activities have been detected.
Saeedi pointed to another section of ElBaradei's report about no deviation to banned activities and material has been observed in Iran's nuclear activities and raised the question, "Why does the UNSC, which should provide the ground for promotion of peace and tranquility, itself cause insecurity and international chaos?" "ElBaradei has declared that based on NPT, Iran has facilitated access of IAEA inspectors to the nuclear facilities in Arak, Natanz and Isfahan, which shows that the propaganda of Western media on Iran are baseless," he added.

Iran's Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani warned the West that Iran will reciprocally react to the countries intending to aggravate Iran's nuclear issue. Larijani said that such approaches will have consequences and that they cannot be unilateral and will certainly be confronted by Iran.

Underlining the political nature of Iran's nuclear issue, he said, "The matter is not very complicated in itself. Iran is ready to solve the issue through constructive and accurate talks."

Interior Minister Mostafa Pour-Mohammadi said Saturday that Iran is now on the verge of a remarkable development helping the country restore its real status in the world. He said the Iranian nation with glorious civilization and culture deserve to top status in the world. "We should remain united to reach the status," he added. "We are now witnessing huge breakthrough at various sectors and Iran's peaceful nuclear technology thanks to national support for the domestic scientists," he pointed out.

President Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad said yesterday that Iran has acquired technology to produce nuclear fuel, stressing enemies' threats and pressure would not prevent progress of the Iranian nation.

"Today, enemies' opposition to Iran's peaceful nuclear technology is not a mere opposition to technological know-how and industry, rather it is a confrontation between all potentials of the global arrogance and political and managerial potentials of the Islamic Revolution. "Enemies have no concern about enrichment in Iran. They are worried that they might yield to determination of the Islamic Revolution and lose their dignity through Iran's access to nuclear technology," Ahmadi-Nejad said.

He added, "By the grace of God, enemies will be obliged to succumb to the Iranian nation's will. Enemies have pinned hope on certain individuals inside the country who chant for disdain and surrender. Today, enemies of Iranians put the nation under pressure despite the regulations they themselves have ratified and by ignoring the law. But there are agents inside the country who impose pressure on the nation instead of resisting enemies."

The president said, "Trend of the Iranian people's move towards development and progress will continue. It will not stop or return back. Our path is transparent. We will speedily push ahead with a policy drawn up by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei. The Iranian nation has no fear of threats or pressure. We advocate negotiations and logic," he stressed.

Enemies intend to promote their plans through threats, pressure and sanctions, he said, adding, "The nation expressed its support for Iran's nuclear case on Bahman 22 (February 11) marking the 28th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution, adding "Enemies can never inflict damage on the country."

Previous Stories:
  Iran: Nuclear talks should be in framework of IAEA   (2/21/2007)
  Iran rallies support nuclear energy   (2/11/2007)
  Iran cooperation with IAEA based on nuclear treaty   (2/4/2007)

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