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Khatami calls for IAEA`s impartial approach to Iran`s nuclear programs

IRNA

Tehran, Oct 22, IRNA -- President Mohammad Khatami here on Wednesday, 
hoped that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will approach
Iran`s peaceful nuclear programs without being impressed by political 
pressures and will rather consider the technical and legal aspects of 
the issue in making its judgment. 
Turning to the recent talks held between the Foreign Ministers of
the three major EU member states and Iranian authorities, the 
president added that during the negotiations, Iran`s definite right to
access peaceful nuclear technology was officially declared. 
"If our security and national interests are ensured, we will 
have no worries over the beginning of the ratification process 
of the Additional Protocol," he added. 
Khatami, who is also the chief of the Supreme National Security 
Council, said that Iran is not worried about cooperation with the 
international bodies and their supervision. 
"Given that Iran doesn`t take any wrong steps in its nuclear 
activities, it doesn`t mind the supervision of its nuclear facilities.
We shall never take any measure in which we don`t believe," he added. 
Moreover, the president noted that Iran will not let any such 
cooperation harm its national interests, security and national 
reputation. 
Pointing to Iran`s recent seven-hour negotiations held with the 
EU ministers as positive, he said that the visit took place at Iran`s 
invitation. 
"The joint visit of the three EU foreign ministers to Iran, 
as an unprecedented event marks the significance of our country. 
"On the other hand, the visit shows their understanding and 
interest in cooperation and to lift the pressure exerted on Iran by 
the former atrocious approach as well as putting an end to the 
existing worries," he added. 
The Chief Executive noted that EU foreign ministers reiterated 
that acceptance of the Additional Protocol by the member states will 
not harm their security, dignity and national sovereignty. 
"The world public opinion is already convinced of Iran`s honesty 
and that it has no intention to build atomic bombs. The Europeans 
have taken important steps to the effect," he added. 
Concerning the legitimization process of signing the Additional 
Protocol to nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), he said that the 
issue will be examined by the cabinet and submitted to Majlis as a 
draft for final ratification. 
President Khatami said that Iran has been cooperating with IAEA 
even beyond its terms and has even volunteered to implement additional
parts of NPT to prove its good intention. 
"We have even agreed to suspend the uranium enrichment process 
temporarily to ensure Europe that the measures taken by Iran are 
peaceful," he added. 
He pointed out Iran`s good will in approaching the issue and 
hoped for elimination of any misunderstandings in this respect, but 
that Iran`s cooperation with EU, specially Britain, Germany and France
will enter a new phase on the basis of mutual respect. 
"The three visiting foreign ministers also assured Iran that once 
the issue is settled properly, they will assist Iran to gain easier, 
cheaper and more reliable access to nuclear energy," he added. 
In response to a question on whether the guarantees given to Iran 
can be counted on, he said that in politics this would be impossible. 
"However, we are confident that things will turn out to our 
favor. We shall proceed with our own policy, without counting on any 
guarantee. 
"Does Israel comply with the resolutions passed by the Security 
Council? Even the US itself overlooks such commitments. We are 
rather relying on our own policy and facilities and attempt to reach 
understanding with the world through good will," he added. 
MP/212 
End