Iran says studying suspension of its nuclear enrichment plans
IRNA
Tehran, Oct 25, IRNA -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi said here on Sunday Iran is studying the suspension of its uranium enrichment plans with a view to stopping them. Asefi, speaking at his weekly press conference, said there is no different interpretation between Iran and Europe over the issue of stopping uranium enrichment plans. "The meaning of suspension is clear in that we temporarily suspend the issue of enriching uranium," he said. "We have declared this to Europe. We will wait to see how this will help build confidence. However, we will not give up our right toward the peaceful use of nuclear energy." Last Monday, the French, German and British foreign ministers arrived in Tehran in a lightning visit at Iran`s invitation to provide the Islamic Republic with consultations over signing the additional protocol to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The visit by the ministers followed demands by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that Iran signs up to the NPT protocol that envisions snap inspections of its nuclear sites. The Secretary of Iran`s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), Hassan Rowhani, announced later in the day that Iran was determined to take necessary measures for joining the protocol until November 20. Asefi said Iran had imposed no preconditions for signing the additional protocol, stressing that Tehran had merely raised some of its concerns and interests toward the issue. He expressed pleasure that Iran`s concerns had been taken into consideration, stressing that the agreement reached with Europe`s three big states over Iran`s nuclear program had been logical and secured the interests of the Islamic Republic. Expediency Council chairman Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said last month that 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. ASEFI SAYS IRAN `ACTS` IF EUROPE FAILS TO RESPECT COMMITMENTS Asked what position Iran would take if Europe failed to live up to the pledges it made in the Tehran visit of the ministers, Asefi said Iran would act rather than take positions. "We act and take no positions. Of course, we doubt that three European foreign ministers visiting Iran, accept certain issues and later act against what they have accepted," he said. Elsewhere in his remarks, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said Iran last week submitted a report of 200 pages to IAEA on its nuclear activities. He stressed that six IAEA inspectors who are due to arrive in Tehran later Sunday are supposed to study the report and continue the previous nuclear debates of the agency with Iran. Answering a question whether Iran was considering to launch a nuclear cooperation with Britain, Asefi said Iran expects European states to help promote its peaceful nuclear program, stressing that such cooperation had been highlighted by the NPT. He further recalled the recent street rallies to protest against Iran`s decision to sign the additional protocol, adding that Iran`s public opinion knows that the decision had been based on a consensus among the relevant officials. "I imagine all officials involved in the issue tried to guarantee the interest of the country to the maximum. And this move was necessary for the country at the prevailing juncture," Asefi said. "We are the 81st country to sign the protocol. No particular or extraordinary measure has been taken against the country. All the European countries, as well as Japan and Australia, have also signed the protocol. Does this mean that all the protocol signatories have been humiliated and betrayed by signing it?" The Foreign Ministry spokesman further stressed that Iran`s agreement with the European states had guaranteed the security, interests and dignity of the Islamic Republic. AA/210 End
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