Iran's nuclear rights non-negotiable: FM
Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki today said that Iran will not hold talks on the nuclear issue in such a way that it had to give up its inalienable right, but added that it was ready to hold fair negotiations on issues of common concern within a defined framework and without discrimination.
The US said yesterday that it was ready to hold talks with Iran provided it suspended its nuclear fuel enrichment.
Mottaki was speaking to reporters after a meeting with Secretary-General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu. The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) supports the inalienable and legal rights of signatories to the Non-Proliferation Treaty including Iran to pursue peaceful nuclear programs, Mottaki said.
This also comes following the support given to Iran's rights by the 114 countries of the non-aligned movement group.
Yesterday, the White House Spokesman Tony Snow was asked If the US believes that the Iranian regime supports terrorists, "how is this different than, let's say, Hamas?"
Snow said "it's not. And keep in mind that there are a number of things. Secretary Rice made it clear today that simply because Iran suspends nuclear development does not mean that we cease putting pressure on Iran for other things, for human rights and terrorism activities."
Iran's Foreign Minister Mottaki said the US offer "presented no new and rational solution" to the Iran nuclear issue."
Mottaki described the proposal for talks "had no new words. The remarks were a litany of phrases" and a "pretext for capping certain US crimes in Iraq and the region."
Iran, as a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), believes it has the right to conduct nuclear activities for as long as these are conducted under IAEA surveillance.
Pointing to Iran's peaceful nuclear program, Mottaki said "there is no document proving Iran's diversion from the peaceful nature of its nuclear activities. Iran will therefore continue to pursue this path."
