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Iran`s envoy to IAEA terms ElBaradei`s Tehran visit promising

IRNA

Tehran, Oct 16, IRNA -- Iran`s permanent representative to the 
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Ali Akbar Salehi here 
Thursday described the Tehran visit of IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei 
as "promising". 
Salehi told reporters at the Mehrabad Airport that he viewed 
the prospects of ElBaradei`s visit as promising "considering the 
fact that both sides are determined to resolve the issue of the 
additional protocol [of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty 
(NPT)]". 
The IAEA chief arrived in Tehran Thursday morning for a one-day 
visit at the invitation of the Islamic Republic. 
He is expected to discuss Iran`s signing of the NPT protocol in 
his meetings with Iranian officials following certain state remarks 
that Tehran is willing to continue cooperation with IAEA. 
The Islamic Republic is already a signatory to the NPT. 
However, the IAEA is refusing to provide Iran with the nuclear 
expertise that under the agency`s regulations it is entitled to 
receive, arguing that Tehran must first sign the NPT`s additional 
protocol that allows snap inspections of its nuclear sites. 
Former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said Iran has 
certain conditions for signing the NPT protocol, stressing that 
these conditions may be the same as those of the US. 
Rafsanjani intimated in his sermon at Tehran Friday prayers that 
Iran`s signing of the protocol must not jeopardize its security, 
values and sanctities, and that it must not lead to investigation 
of issues that are not related to the nuclear energy. 
Asked whether Iran can meet the deadline set by IAEA so as to 
prevent its nuclear case to be referred to Security Council, 
Salehi said Tehran attaches no significance to the deadline. 
"Still, our criteria is `speeding up cooperation`," he said. 
The IAEA Board of Governors last month set an October 31 
deadline for Iran to prove it is pursuing peaceful nuclear programs. 
The resolution that was submitted by Canada, Japan and Australia 
also calls on Tehran to clarify its nuclear program by the end of 
October and to suspend its uranium enrichment program. 
The IAEA resolution drew the ire of Iranian officials with 
President Mohammad Khatami calling it as "illegitimate, unjust and 
politically-motivated" on Tuesday. 
Khatami said Iran was determined to resolve the issue of the 
NPT protocol, stressing however that Iran gives its national 
interests and security paramount significance in taking any position 
to that effect. 
"Since we have goodwill and are not willing to create problems, 
we have announced that we are ready to have all-out cooperation with 
the IAEA and reach an understanding with the world on the issue," 
Khatami said. 
Salehi further said ElBaradei will not visit Iran`s nuclear 
sites in his visit, stressing that he would discuss the 
issues existing between IAEA and Iran. 
Yet, Iran`s chief IAEA delegate added, the talks with ElBaradei 
might continue until Friday. 
AA/213 
End