• Military

• WMD Menu                           

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

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Iran encouraged by Europe`s stance on Tehran nuke program

IRNA

Tehran, Nov 30, IRNA -- Iran said Sunday that it is encouraged by 
Europe`s stance regarding Tehran`s nuclear program, including its 
refusal to submit to Washington`s pressures to report the Islamic 
Republic to the UN Security Council. 
Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi also said Tehran would
further fulfill its commitments to the International Atomic Energy 
Agency (IAEA), including by submitting complementary information about
its nuclear program, whose peaceful nature has been verified by the 
watchdog agency. 
"We will carry out whatever is needed in the framework of the 
safeguards and non-proliferation treaties (NPT) and submit the 
necessary information by the next February, when the next session is 
held," he told reporters during his weekly news briefing. 
Asefi ruled out speculation that the bloc may now choose to 
backtrack on its stance, saying existing signs in this respect pointed
to the contrary. 
"The Europeans have acted in a committed way so far and we hope 
that they will be such in the future. The way they have been behaving 
is encouraging us to have a serious and constructive cooperation," he 
said. 
Asked to comment on an alleged agreement between Washington and 
London, for the latter to join unilateral American sanctions against 
Iran, the official said, "We have received no confirmed news in this 
regard. Rather, we have received news to the contrary. 
"British Foreign Secretary Mr (Jack) Straw has stressed on his 
country`s resolve to expand relations with Iran. Meanwhile, Britain 
played a positive role in the recent meeting of the (IAEA) Board of 
Governors," Asefi added. 
According to the official, "There is a good understanding with the
European Union and we are in negotiations on all issues of interest. 
"As stated by European officials, a new chapter has opened in the 
ties between the two sides," Asefi added. 
He also hoped that those countries which did not act according to 
Tehran`s expectations in the IAEA Board of Governors` meeting to 
examine Iran`s nuclear program `will act such that besides, making up 
for their past, they will create a suitable environment to maintain 
cooperation`. 
The European countries, led by Britain, France and Germany, 
opposed Washington`s proposal to refer Iran`s nuclear program case to 
the Security Council for possible sanctions during the 35-nation`s 
meeting Wednesday, arguing that Tehran must be rewarded for its 
openness and cooperation. 
Iran is building a nuclear power plant in the southern city of 
Bushehr with Russian assistance, and has held negotiations to build 
a second plant. 
The secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), 
Hassan Rowhani, said here Saturday that Tehran has plans for the 
construction of six other nuclear plants. 
BH/AH/210 
End