Mousavian: First part of ElBaradei`s Iran report realistic
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Vienna, Sept 13, IRNA -- Spokesman of Iran`s delegation at IAEA Board of Governors labeled the first part of the UN nuclear watchdog Chief Mohamed ElBaradei`s latest report on Iran "Realistic" and Iran`s cooperation with the IAEA as "transparent and full-fledged." Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of the IAEA Board of Governors meeting in Vienna, Hossein Mousavian added, "Suspicion about high grade uranium enrichment at 34.56% level at Iran`s Natanz Nuclear Compound and Kala-ye-Electric Company was one of IAEA`s serious concerns, but the agency`s head has confirmed now that enrichment at that level has not taken place in Iran." The Iranian delegation`s spokesman, elaborating on the second part of ElBaradei`s report, said, "Iran announced at the previous IAEA Board of Governors meeting in June that it had ended a self-imposed, temporary ban on its uranium enrichment activities, that included assembling its centrifuges and re-starting uranium enrichment." Mousavian reiterated, "We had also earlier announced that since the Europeans have not fulfilled the promises they made in the context of the February 2003 Tehran Communique, we too, do not feel obliged to keep performing our relative tasks." He said, "The IAEA chief had earlier asked Iran to continue halting its enrichment practice completely so that the agency would be able to come up with a final conclusion in its November session." The Iranian delegation`s spokesman said, "From the IAEA`s point of the view, the cases of laser enrichment of uranium and enriched uranium transfer through previously polluted second hand equipment are totally finalized." Mousavian added, "Halting the enrichment process has been a voluntary move from scratch. We adopted the decision in October 2003 aimed at trust building and we now think we have taken sufficient steps towards trust building." He emphasized, "We had already presented a comprehensive, complete report on all our nuclear activities to the agency, signed the nuclear-Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and allowed snap inspections of all our nuclear facilities. The Iranian delegation`s spokesman said, "During the course of the last year IAEA inspectors have chapleted 800 days-man work in Iran`s nuclear facilities, plus 13 extra tough inspections, that is quite unprecedented in IAEA`s history." Mousavian said, "Uranium enrichment is Iran`s legitimate right, just like the rights enjoyed by all other members of the agency and we have done more than our obligations to build trust, having committed no illegal move at all in our peaceful nuclear activities." He added, "Today all our nuclear enrichment activities in Iran are conducted under strict IAEA supervision." Asked when Iran would resume enrichment process?" Mousavian said, "We will definitely announce that date openly later on." Asked about Iran`s stand regarding the European Big 3`s Draft and appointing a deadline for Iran, Mousavian said, "We have not seen the text of the three EU countries` draft yet, but we do not think they have threatened Iran, or proposed to send our file to the UNSC." He added, "Meanwhile if they have stated in their draft that the IAEA chief is requested to present his final conclusion on Iran`s nuclear activities at IAEA Board of Governors` November session, that would be what we are asking for, as well." The Iranian delegation`s spokesman elaborated, "In that case the remaining ambiguities would naturally be clarified within the context of the regular IAEA inspections and the NPT, that equals returning to the normal status with the IAEA." In response to a question whether the other European countries, too, agree with the EU Big 3 on their draft resolution, he said, These three countries (Germany, Britain and France) are acting on behalf of the EU, and I believe they have come up with a shared conclusion collectively prior to the issuance of the EU Big 3`s draft." Mousavian meanwhile announced that Iran is currently engaged in "sensitive talks" with the European countries, the details, or end time of which cannot be reveled at the press conference. In response to a question on accusations often repeated by the United States against Iran and its nuclear activities, particularly on suspicions of efforts aimed at manufacturing nuclear weapons, he said, "Washington has form the beginning of the crisis in September 2000 been insisting that Iran`s case must be referred to the UNSC." Addressing the reporters, he said, "You have read IAEA`s printed report and heard Mr. ElBaradei`s oral report on Iran, and I am sure in neither one you have encountered any seriously worrying points." On Yellow Cake issue and the Isfahan UCF project, he said, "The Yellow Cake project is fully supervised by the IAEA and let us not rely on wild speculations based on empty threats." Mousavian added, "The Isfahan UCF project, too, is still at pilot test study phase." At the end he once again announced Iran`s full readiness to continue cooperation with the IAEA in the course of more inspections, announcing, "Iran is not worried at all about the outcome of the November IAEA Governors Board." European Union (EU) foreign ministers warned Monday that Iran faces "serious" consequences unless it fulfills a pledge to stop uranium enrichment for alleged military purposes. The ministers of Britain and Germany, who along with France have spearheaded an EU diplomatic offensive on Iran, made the comments as the UN`s atomic watchdog met in Vienna to decide the next steps in the nuclear standoff. The United States and Europe appear close to agreement over setting a deadline for Iran to allay suspicions it is secretly making atomic weapons, but Tehran insists on its right to develop peaceful nuclear technology. Britain, France and Germany are ready to set a November deadline for Iran to respond to concern about its nuclear program, in a draft resolution that brings the so-called Euro 3 closer to the US hard line. 2329/1432
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