Iran denies having shut the door to European nuclear proposal
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Tehran, Oct 25, IRNA -- Government spokesman Abdollah Ramezanzadeh refuted Monday reports that Iran had categorically rejected a European proposal to end standoff over Tehran`s nuclear program. The statements came a day after Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi described the proposal as `unbalanced`, triggering speculations among world media, amid reports that the Islamic Republic might have slammed the door to the proposal. But Ramezanzadeh said, "Interpretations made by certain segments of the media about Foreign Ministry spokesman Mr. Asefi`s statements are not true." The proposal was made at the first round of talks between representatives of Iran and diplomats from the European Union trio of Germany, France and Britain in Vienna Thursday. According to reports, the three European heavyweights have sought to provide Iran with limited nuclear technology if Tehran suspends all its uranium enrichment activities. Ramezanzadeh said, "The Europeans` suggestions are not what we want, but we are persisting in continuing negotiations until understanding is reached and we believe this is achievable. "In two-side negotiations, there are always suggestions which are rtly acceptable and partly not," the spokesman said, stressing that Iran has a legitimate right to peaceful nuclear technology, which the country will never relinquish. "We acknowledge the international community`s concerns about nuclear weapons proliferation, but we also feel obliged not to concede our legitimate right," Ramezanzadeh said. Iran is wearing out a November 25 deadline set by the IAEA board of governors for full review of Iran`s nuclear program and calling on Tehran to immediately suspend all uranium enrichment activities. The country has dismissed the deadline, saying it does not accept any obligation in this regard. Ramezanzadeh said, "All world countries know well that threats against Iran are not effective and we hope the opposite negotiation side will never resort to a forceful language." The next round of talks between the two sides will be held on Wednesday, in which Iran will present its own suggestions, while continuing to consider the Europeans` proposals, according to Iranian officials. "We must reach a median solution which removes the Europeans` concerns -- if there is any -- and recognize our rights within the framework of the NPT (nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty)," Asefi said Sunday. He described the European proposal as `preliminary` and `unbalanced`, saying the Europeans are required first to assure Tehran of fulfilling what they promise. "The Europeans should give us the assurance that if we reached an agreement, they could implement it," Asefi told a weekly news briefing here. The Islamic Republic has already chided the Europeans for failing to honor their `political and moral commitment` they undertook during a meeting in Tehran last year. Asefi, however, rejected the European Union demand that Tehran suspend all activities related to uranium enrichment for good. "The question is not to permanently suspend uranium enrichment and the Europeans` proposal itself points to unlimited suspension until an agreement is reached," he said. The official stressed that the EU has never demanded a `permanent` suspension of uranium enrichment from Iran. "This is not acceptable by the Islamic Republic since Iran`s suspension of enrichment has been voluntary and temporary to promote confidence building," he added. Iran`s pointman on nuclear issues, Hassan Rowhani, said an `indefinite` freeze did not mean the the same thing as a `permanent` halt to enrichment. "We have always said that if Iran agrees to suspend uranium enrichment, to whatever extent, it will be voluntary because no country can force another to stop having peaceful and legal nuclear technology, not even for one hour," he said. Rowhani, who is secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, said that `Iran will patiently prove to the world that its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes`. "We want to have political, economic and cultural cooperation with the international community and we don`t want them to worry about something that is not true." Rowhani said Tehran would continue cooperating with the international community but insisted that European nations must also recognize its right to civilian nuclear technology. "Our red lines are clear and if anyone wants to cross them, we will not allow it," he said, adding "in other words, Iran has as many rights as a European country has under the NPT." The official vowed that Iran would continue cooperation with the IAEA, not to make the Europeans happy but to prove the United States is lying when it says Iran is trying to manufacture a nuclear weapon. Iran says its nuclear program is aimed at power generation, rejecting US accusations that the program is a cover to build an atomic bomb. Tehran insists it wants to master nuclear fuel cycle, which is permitted under the NPT. 2323/1412
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