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Iran says IAEA emergency session politicized

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Jan 22, IRNA
Iran-Nuclear-Asefi
Iran regards holding an emergency session by the Governing Board of the UN nuclear watchdog on Tehran's nuclear case as "unnecessary and a political move".

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi made the remark while talking to domestic and foreign reporters at his weekly press conference.

Representatives of five big nuclear states namely the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China along with that of Germany in a meeting in London recently decided to hold an emergency session of the Governing Board of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Feb 2-3.

Referring to the recent remarks by the IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei who said the agency would present its report in March, Asefi said, "ElBaradei's remarks showed he also believes the meeting should be held in March.

"It also indicated that the IAEA should carry out its work and have the chance to present its report."
The spokesman said, "In case this emergency session is held, it will indicate it has political and non-technical objectives." Stressing that the IAEA should carry out its technical and professional activities, he said, "When the emergency session is held under the pressure of certain countries, it is clear that the result will be political, nontechnical and unprofessional and is devoid of expertised features."
Asked about the probable visit by Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), Ali Larijani, to Russia in the near future, he said the issue has been set forth but has not been fixed yet.

In response to a question on Iran's stance on Russia's nuclear proposal, Asefi stated the plan should be completed. We have held one round of talks on the proposal in Iran. However, he said, the talks should further continue.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran regards the Russian plan as a complementary one."
The spokesman added Iran welcomes Russia's initiative to enter the (nuclear) issue.

Replying to another question, Asefi rejected claims leveled by certain Western diplomats on delivery of centrifuge consignments to Iran.

On the possibility of China's presence or a joint Iran-China enrichment, he said, "We have not received such a plan yet. If such a plan or proposal is raised, Iran will take it into
consideration."
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