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Europeans should respect Iranian right concerning nuclear program

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, July 23, IRNA
Iran-EU-Asefi
Europeans should respect Iranian right concerning nuclear program and language of threat will not work, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said on Saturday.

A reporter said that India is not signatory to Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and at the same time the US has developed nuclear cooperation with India. Isn't it a double standard?
Asefi said that India is following its own national interests, but, the US double standard indicates that Washington is not committed to international criteria in dealing with different issues.

Answering a question about setting up of three border points for transit of goods between Iran and Iraq through Kurdestan province, Asefi said that border points and border markets are the topics which have been discussed between Iranian and Iraqi officials and it was also raised in the course of a visit to Iran of Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari.

Explaining the negotiations among Caspian Sea littoral states about legal status of the landlocked sea, he said that Iran seeks ownership of 20 percent of the Caspian Sea to be recognized by the neighboring states, but, they said they recognize 17 percent of Caspian Sea as Iran's national territory. Iran does not accept the proposal and would continue negotiations to the point Iran's fair right would be recognized unanimously by Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Russia and Kazakhstan.

"Territorial negotiations are always lengthy and it cannot be settled through short term talks," he said.

Asked whether foreign guests will be invited to take part in inauguration of President-elect Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Asefi said that such a ceremony was not held so far for inauguration of a president so no invitation will be extended to foreign personalities.

A reporter asked about the British government's protest over statement of Secretary of the Guardian Council Ahmad Jannati about London bombing, Asefi said that the Britons did not well understand Jannati's statement.

"If Britons are anxious about certain issues, they should take care of the literature their officials are using so as to prevent them from arousing other people's concerns," Asefi said.

"In declaring stances, the two parties should be careful, though the official stance of a country usually is declared by the foreign ministry," he said.

A reporter asked what the Iranian government will do about four Iranian diplomats kidnapped in Lebanon, he said that Iran will take legal action with Lebanese court against former commander of Lebanese outlaw militia Samir Geagea whom Iran believes had been involved in the abduction.

"The Zionist regime has been involved in the affair and since we do not want to hold direct talks with the Zionist regime, we seek help from international organizations or third countries," he said.

He said that the four diplomats are alive and Iran welcomes assistance from any international organization in this respect.

On US objection to membership of Hezbollah member in Lebanese government, he said that the US follows discriminatory policy.

"Hezbollah is a legitimate political party of Lebanon and US objection to membership of Hezbollah member in Lebanese cabinet is because, Hezbollah does not toe the US line," Asefi said.

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