Asefi terms US propaganda against president-elect as cheap
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Tehran, July 31, IRNA
Iran-Asefi
Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said here Sunday the United States has launched a "cheap" propaganda campaign against President-elect Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Asked in his weekly press conference whether the US would put obstacles on Ahmadinejad's upcoming visit to New York, the spokesman said such acts have no legal justification and thus should not be discussed.
"Ahmadinejad and his entourage are scheduled to visit New York to attend the meeting of the UN General Assembly," he added.
In response to a question on remarks made by British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw that no agreement had been made with Iran on the exact date of the Europeans' proposal, he said, "In our view, August 1st is the deadline. If the European side has another interpretation, we will not accept it.
"By the time our letter is submitted to the International Atomic Energy Agency and the inspectors launch their supervisory work, we will resume activities in Isfahan's Uranium Conversion Facility (UCF).
"The agency will supervise resumption of activities as well as removal of certain seals, just like before."
The spokesman said Iran's transparent nuclear activities was a strong point of system, adding "The IAEA inspectors are currently in Tehran. Nuclear work in Isfahan will start again under their supervision."
Referring to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's visit to France and effects of Zionist lobby on nuclear talks, he said, "The Zionist regime always tries to create crisis.
"It is up to the Europeans not to fall into this regime's trap.
The Europeans' stance should be based on their own interest and realities in Iran. They should pursue their independent policies." Asked about Asefi's last week visit to Britain, the deputy foreign minister for parliamentary and consular affairs said the visit took place within the framework of consular cooperation with London.
During the visit, the two sides discussed ways of facilitating issuance of visa to tradesmen, businessmen, the sick and university students as well as dispatch of manpower, he noted.
"During the visit, we reached good agreements with the British side. I also held lengthy talks with the British foreign secretary," he said.
The spokesman stated the two sides also exchanged views on the 9th presidential election in Iran in June and unacceptable prejudgment made by certain countries against it, parliamentary cooperation between Tehran and London as well as situation of Muslims in Britain after recent terrorist acts in that country.
On relations between Iran and Kuwait, Asefi said, "Ties with Kuwait, like other states in the region, have been improved. We practically passed the detente phase and reached the stage of confidence-building.
"Several political, security and economic agreements prove that there is no tension between Iran and regional and extra-regional states. It shows the sides have reached a bilateral understanding." Asked about recent unrest in northwestern parts of the country and factors behind it, he said he did not have much information on the issue, adding it is within the responsibilities of the Information Ministry.
Asefi rejected news of Iran's attempts to seize lands belonging to minorities of the country, saying "Minorities enjoy equal citizenship right in the Islamic Republic."
In response to a question on Iran's reaction to Europe's stance on political prisoners in Iran, the spokesman said, "They usually publish unfounded issues. We have announced this is an internal issue and they have no right to interfere in it.
"We do not allow foreigners to interfere in the country's internal affairs and recommend them to pay heed to their own issues and settle problems caused in those states for different minorities particularly Muslims."
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