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Government spokesman calls on IAEA to avoid politicizing decision

IRNA

Tehran, Sept 8, IRNA -- Government spokesman Abdollah Ramezanzadeh 
here on Monday called on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Council of Managers to avoid politicizing its decisions on Iran. 
He added that despite discrepancies in the points of view of the 
council members, Iran expects a realistic decision based on facts. 
Asked wether Iran will sign the additional protocol to the Nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), given the meeting held by IAEA Board 
of Governors, he noted, "I suppose the remarks of Foreign Minister 
Kamal Kharrazi and FM spokesman were quite descriptive. 
"We used all existing facilities at all levels to bring to light 
Iran`s stance and interests and be transparent in discussing the issue
with IAEA representatives," he added. 
Concerning Iran`s approach towards IAEA in the past year, he 
pointed out that in the past two months Iranian officials closely 
cooperated with IAEA inspectors and let them inspect the installations
of their choice. 
Turning to Iran-EU ties and their divergence in various matters, 
he said that differences of view should be negotiated. 
"Though dialogues are subject to ups and downs, expansion of 
friendly ties with EU member states is our main concern, given that 
such matters are transitory," he added. 
Ramezanpour said that Iran`s Foreign Ministry will use all 
available diplomatic channels to deal with the political arrest of 
Iran`s former ambassador to Argentina, Hadi Soleimanpour. 
Terming the shooting incident of the British Embassy in Tehran as 
a criminal act, he said that investigations on the issue are currently
underway by the police as well as foreign and information ministries. 
"We will see to it that those responsible for the shooting will be
identified and punished," he added. 
He pointed to the recall of Iran`s ambassador to London to discuss
the issue with him as one of the steps taken to the effect. 
Referring to Kharrazi`s talks with his British counterpart Jack 
Straw, he noted that Iran is determined to try all possible diplomatic
means to come up with a solution. 
"The world public opinion will soon come to conclusion that this 
is a political matter, not a legal one," he said. 
In reply to a question raised in connection with AFP`s report 
quoting a German daily that 90 visiting European experts are based in 
Iran`s Defense Ministry for production of atomic bomb, he said nuclear
weapons have no place in Iran`s foreign policy. 
Questioned on Iraqi citizens crossing Iran-Iraq common border, 
he said that Haj and Pilgrimage Organization, Foreign Ministry, police
and related institutions are taking joint measures to expedite 
legalizing such visits. 
MP/AH/210 
End