Iran nuclear talks at end of month
Iran-UN, Politics, 5/21/2007

EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, said today that he will be meeting Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani at the end of May to discuss Iran's nuclear issue.

Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said today Iran welcomes talks without any precondition to remove possible ambiguity and concerns over diversion in Iranian nuclear program. Speaking to Iranian Alalam TV channel, Mottaki added Iran has expressed its readiness to hold nuclear talks.

"We are completely flexible to reach a comprehensive understanding within framework of regulations. The Iranian government cannot afford to ignore the nation's right to produce nuclear energy. In fact the Iranian people do not permit the government and officials to do so," he said.

Talks would focus on guaranteeing no diversion from peaceful purposes, he said and expressed hope the opposite side would show necessary determination. "All resolutions recognized Iran's right to possess nuclear technology for peaceful purposes indicating that based on international regulations, the Iranian nation's right cannot be denied," Mottaki said.

He added despite Iran's legal nuclear activities, the opposite sides have not had necessary cooperation due to political considerations. "None of the reports from UN nuclear agency has made a mention to possible diversion in Iranian nuclear program. Based on the UN Charter, the Security Council cannot adopt resolutions to deprive states of their legal rights," he stated.

"We insist on our legal rights and express our clear and explicit logic on rights and regulations.
The minister added, "In the 34th session of foreign ministers of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, recently held in Islamabad, 57 Islamic states issued a resolution supporting Iran's peaceful nuclear program."

Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Mohamed ElBaradei will present his report on Iran's nuclear activities on Wednesday, a Western diplomat said on Monday. He added it is expected the report would be presented to members of the IAEA's Board of Governors and the UN Security Council simultaneously.

In its latest resolution, the Security Council has called on ElBaradei to present a report on the latest findings of the IAEA inspectors on Iran's nuclear program.

Vice-President and head of Iran Atomic Energy Organization (IAEO) Reza Aqazadeh said on Sunday that progress of technical works in the context of the national nuclear program is satisfactory, and that technical works are progressing well but media usually raise figures while they have nothing to do with the program.

Aqazadeh said in response to a question on news reports about the breakthrough Iran has made in setting up fuel cycle that Iran has planned to commission 50,000 centrifuges it needs to produce fuel. "Each time inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) came to Tehran, the Western media publish news about Iranian nuclear program in a controversial manner."

The New York Times last week said Iran has made a considerable technical progress. Besides 1,300 centrifuges inaugurated at Natanz which produce nuclear fuel, 300 other centrifuges are to be installed, the daily said. It reported that Iran might produce 5,000 other centrifuges by year-end and inaugurate a total number of 8,000 centrifuges.

In response to a question on the West's claim that Iran's technical progress has led the talks to standstill, Aqazadeh said, "The West does not have a correct view. Our technical works are not supposed to depend on negotiations. We have never said our technical works depend on talks."

Previous Stories:
  Iran defends nuclear rights within framework of regulations   (5/15/2007)
  Iran backs nuclear talks based on NPT, IAEA regulations   (5/7/2007)
  Common Iranian resolve on the Nuclear issue   (4/16/2007)

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