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Iran will make `another decision' if talks bears no results: FM

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, March 15, IRNA
Iran-Kharrazi-Reporters
Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi here Tuesday said Iran will make another decision if the report by the steering committee on Iran-Europe nuclear talks entails no positive results.

Talking to domestic and foreign reporters, Kharrazi stressed the importance of access to a formula that would guarantee Iran's rights and remove concerns of the Europeans about "Iran's inclination towards production of nuclear weapons".

He expressed hope that both sides would reach such a formula during a meeting of the steering committee, scheduled to be held on March 23, 2005, saying Iran has prepared its proposals which would remove the Europeans' concern.

"We expect the Europeans to take Iran's suggestions seriously and present firm guarantees in return for Iran continuing this course," he noted.

He said Iran would not continue negotiations if nuclear talks would waste time and stressed, "Europe should make its own decision.

This decision will not include Iran's interests but those of the Europe.

"What is important for us is access to nuclear technology and continuation of enrichment. It is our absolute right and we will not permit anybody to prevent us from doing it."
Asked about news about Israeli forces preparing themselves to launch a military attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, the minister said, "Israeli threats are not new. We have faced the Israeli and US threats since the beginning of the Islamic Revolution. Iran has no concerns over threats of the enemies.

"We should have no concerns when people are present on the scene.

Iran's defense power is not weak."
In response to a question on probable sanctions imposed against Iran by enemies, Kharrazi said, "Sanctions are not something new ...

Despite different sanctions we have been able to defend ourselves and our defense industry has made a considerable progress." The minister stressed, "Sanctions against Iran will not work because our nation is quite ready. The Iranian nation is ready to resist any pressure as far as the dignity of the Islamic Revolution is concerned. It has no fear of sanctions."
Kharrazi further said, "The United States can reestablish ties with Iran with a change in its policy towards the country as an important state in the region. Tehran will not present any solution to this effect."
Asked about US and Israeli interference in Lebanon and Syria, he noted, "What is important to us is the decision of the Lebanese nation and their motion towards national unity.

"The Lebanese nation could expel Israeli occupiers from their territory through their unity."
He expressed hope that others would not interfere in Lebanon's internal affairs, adding, "What is currently going on in Lebanon is an explicit and clear example of foreign interference in the country's domestic affairs. Lebanon's affairs should be handled by its nation and leaders."
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::IRNA No.050 16/03/2005 15:00 --End