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Iran-IAEA are in final stages of nuclear discussions

IRNA

Tehran, Oct 20, IRNA -- An informed source said here Monday the 
discussion between Iran and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) 
officials in Tehran have proceeded satisfactory in the past two days. 
The source, who asked to remain anonymous, said the talks on 
Iran`s nuclear program will reach final stages with the scheduled 
visit to Tehran in a few hours of the foreign ministers of France, 
Britain and Germany. 
He said foreign ministers are expected to inform Iranian officials
of their respective countries` will to cooperate with Iran`s peaceful 
nuclear program. 
The three foreign ministers last mont sent a letter to their 
Iranian counterpart urging the signing of the additional protocol to 
Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and had also informed their Iranian 
counterpart that technical cooperation would be extended to Iran`s 
nuclear program. The US administration had reacted negatively to the 
letter. 
Previously, Iranian foreign minister had invited the western 
nations to participate in Iran`s nuclear program. 
Given that the two sides have close ranks and an agreement has 
been reached in the past two days, "the grounds for signing of the 
additional protocol to Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) has been paved."
the source said. 
Moreover, the presence of the three foreign ministers in Tehran 
will be a positive step," he added. 
Several political experts and media pundits remarked on Monday 
that the trip by the foreign ministers and their readiness to assist 
Iran on its nuclear program is an achievement both for Iran in 
thwarting international pressures and for the European foreign policy 
apparatus. 
They said the acceptance of the additional protocol which respects
Iran`s national sovereignty and dignity is a victory for the Iranian 
nation. 
If the conditions are met, Iran will be the 80th country which has
signed on to the additional protocol. 
The IAEA officials in discussions with Iranian officials have 
managed to remove outstanding ambiguities, including on the issue of 
snap inspection, and giving assurances that any such inspections will 
be limited to Iran`s nuclear facilities. 
If even Iran signs the additional protocol, it will still be in a 
position to pursue access to peaceful nuclear technology as its 
legitimate right. 
Meanwhile, EU foreign and security policy chief, Javier Solana, 
considers the visit of foreign ministers from three EU states to Iran 
as `very important` and hopes that it will be successful. 
"It is a very important visit. Mr Solana hopes very much that it 
will be successful," his spokesperson Cristina Gallach told IRNA in 
Brussels Monday evening. 
"It is an important step forward towards a solution to the 
difficulties that we had with Iran on its nuclear program," she said. 
British, French and German Foreign Ministers, Jack Straw, 
Dominique de Villepin and Joschka Fischer, are to pay an unprecedented
joint visit to Tehran Monday to discuss Iran`s nuclear program. 
Gallach said Solana is in close contact with the three European 
ministers. 
"This represents a good opportunity and we expect very much a 
positive outcome from this visit," said Gallach. 
She said that Solana was also in contact with IAEA chief Dr. 
ElBaradei today and also before he visited Tehran last week. 
NB/214 
End