• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Iran rejects EU stance on linking cooperation to nuclear pact

IRNA

Tehran, Sept 18, IRNA -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza 
Asefi expressed regret here Wednesday over statements made by the 
Italian representative to the European Union (EU) regarding Iran`s 
nuclear program. 
The envoy from Italy, which heads the rotating presidency of the 
EU, speaking at a public session of the International Atomic Energy 
Agency (IAEA), said that EU`s cooperation with Iran depends on 
Tehran`s acceptance of the additional protocol to the 
Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). 
These statements which have been made under duress from some 
countries, provide no help to strengthen constructive Iran-IAEA 
cooperation, Asefi underlined. 
"They will not deter Iran from its legitimate rights to have 
access to peaceful nuclear technology either." 
Iran and EU have started their diplomatic and economic dialogue 
based on mutual respect, Asefi said adding "but, as Iran did not 
accept any precondition for these talks, it will not accept any 
preconditions for their continuation." 
He also expressed hope that the EU will put pressure on Israel to 
come clean on its nuclear arsenal as well as clarify its position on 
efforts to prevent production and stockpiling of Weapons of Mass 
Destruction (WMD) to preserve international peace and security. 
Speaking at a press conference, Italian Deputy Foreign Minister 
said the immediate and unconditional singing of the additional 
protocol by Iran is EU`s condition for continuation of economic 
dialogue with Tehran. 
Iran remains fully committed to the nuclear Non-Proliferation 
Treaty (NPT) despite its objections to the deadline given to Tehran to
prove it is not developing atomic weapons, Iranian Vice President and 
head of Iran`s Atomic Energy Organization, Gholamreza Aghazadeh said 
Monday. 
"Iran is fully committed to its NPT responsibilities not 
only because of its contractual obligation but also because of its 
religious and ethical considerations," Aghazadeh told a general 
conference in Vienna of the UN nuclear watchdog, the International 
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). 
Aghazadeh also condemned the United States for using a 
`heavy-handed approach` to force through the deadline in a resolution 
at a meeting last Friday of the IAEA`s 35-nation board of governors. 
He said the US tactics were part of an `agenda` that had to do 
with `partisan politics in the United States`. 
NB/212 
End