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Kharrazi, Annan discuss Iran-IAEA cooperation, Iraq on phone

 Tehran, July 19, IRNA -- UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and Foreign  
Minister Kamal Kharrazi discussed the latest developments in Iraq as  
well as Tehran's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy     
Agency (IAEA) on phone Saturday.                                      
    According to the Foreign Ministry's press and information office, 
Kharrazi described IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei's visit to Tehran on  
July 10 as 'positive' and stressed on the need to continue cooperation
and specialized talks between the two sides.                          
    "He however regarded the irresponsible statements of certain      
European officials with respect to positive attitude of our country   
regarding the signing of the Additional Protocol as non-constructive  
and problematic," it added.                                           
    Iran has obviously been stung by recent remarks made by some      
European officials, above all German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer 
who had said Iran's signing of the Additional Protocol to the         
Non-Proliferation Treaty, as demanded by IAEA, could still prove      
inadequate.                                                           
    "Mr. Kofi Annan, describing IAEA's cooperation with our country as
essential, stated that he will hold discussions with some of these    
European officials in a constructive framework," Foreign Ministry     
said.                                                                 
    Kharrazi expressed his happiness with the negotiations held       
between UN special representative on Iraq Sergio Vieira de Mello and  
Iranian officials, it added.                                          
    He called on the United Nations to play a better role in resolving
Iraq's problems and forming a democratic and popular government there,
the ministry said.                                                    
    Annan hailed Iran's support for UN efforts and stressed the       
country's positive role and that of Iraq's other neighbors as well    
as continued consultations with Iranian officials, it further said.   
    Annan's special envoy was in Tehran as part of a regional tour,   
which has already taken him to Saudi Arabia and Syria, to discuss     
Iraq's future with Iranian officials.                                 
    The consultations come as the US-led administration unveiled the  
Iraqi Governing Council this week to run the country amid rising      
resentment of the Iraqi people against the invaders.                  
BH/AH/AR                                                              
End