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Specialized nuclear talks to continue in January

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Dec 25, IRNA
Iran-Asefi-Nuclear
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi said here Sunday that specialized nuclear talks will continue in January 2006, with the first slated for January 18.

Speaking at his weekly briefing, in response to a question about detention of one German and one French citizen in Iran, he said that the arrest was due to their illegal entry into the country and that they are now being interrogated.

"The diplomats of German and French embassies were allowed to meet the detainees. They are in full health and their files have been referred to the judicial branch of power.

"Iran's Foreign Ministry is in constant contact with the judicial branch of power and the two embassies to see to it that the rights of the two arrested individuals are fully respected," he added.

Responding to a question about the leniency of Iran's foreign policy towards the East, he said that the main purpose is to establish balance rather than being drawn to a certain direction.

"Given the change in the concept of East and West, today referral to them does not indicate the geographical aspect of these two words.

"Iran's long-term policy is based on working with all countries in accordance with their potentials," added the spokesman.

Asked about the production of centrifuges and whether Iran welcomes Russia's participation in the nuclear negotiations, he said that once such a proposal, allegedly brought up by Germany, becomes definite it will be examined by Iran.

In reply to another question whether production of centrifuges indicates resumption of nuclear research, he noted that research in this regard is separate from negotiations and that the issue of enrichment is quite clear.

"Meanwhile, enrichment is not currently on the agenda and we wish that such matters would be clarified during the talks and that we would manage to solve the enrichment issue through negotiation," he added.

In response to a reporter asking whether the recent visits of CIA and Zionist officials to Turkey would be a threat to Iran, he said, "The mischief of the Zionist regime is clear to everyone. They attempt to divide the regional countries by creating crises.

"We are confident that the Turks are careful not to let the Zionist regime abuse them and have meanwhile warned our Turkish allies to beware of eruption of such hostile atmosphere."
Asefi added that measures taken by the Zionist regime are mostly a psychological and propaganda movement without having any practical and serious aspects.

Concerning the most important events of the current Christian year, he referred to the developments and election in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Zionists' continuous violations and the silence of the world community in this respect.

"On the domestic scene, the nuclear issue is still on the top of agenda. It is considered as one of the most important challenges faced by the government and we are doing our best to solve it diplomatically," he added.

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