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Larijani urges overall study on Russian enrichment proposal

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Moscow, Jan 25, IRNA
Iran-Larijani-Nuclear
Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani, in Moscow on Wednesday urged an overall study on Russian proposal on Iran's uranium enrichment in partnership with Moscow.

The secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Larijani, who arrived in Moscow Tuesday to hold key nuclear talks with senior Russian officials, made the disclosure during a press conference.

"The Russian plan can be a good primary idea but it includes important points which should be regarded as general. The two sides should bring their views on trend of nuclear talks closer," he said.

He added, "The site of the plant, partnership method, technical and political cooperation are among the points which should be clarified.

"Delegations from Iran and Russia will discuss the proposal and remove its ambiguities on February 16."
Larijani said, "But what is important is that the Russian proposal cannot settle all issues by itself. It should be completed by other measures and this needs more talks."
He assessed as "constructive and useful" the outcome of his talks with his Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov on regional and international developments including Afghanistan, Lebanon, Syria and Palestine as well as bilateral cooperation in atomic energy field.

Asked about China's participation in Russia's proposed plan, he said, "We welcome participation of other countries in this regard but China has presented no proposal to this effect yet."
He praised as "very good" the efforts made by the Russia government and his Russian counterpart to settle Iran's nuclear case within the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

"We strive to settle the issue through diplomatic channels and will study all peaceful solutions. We sent a letter to the European side in this regard.

"We also follow up nuclear talks with Russia in another direction," the SNSC secretary said.

He added, "Peaceful nuclear technology is an inalienable right of the Islamic Republic of Iran. We will enforce our rights based on the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

"The IAEA inspectors are currently in Iran. Deputy of Mohamed ElBaradei, the agency's chief, will arrive in Iran next Tuesday for more inspections.

"We believe no pressure should be exerted on the agency to suspend its professional work. The wide role the IAEA plays, the more benefits all sides will make."
Asked about political pressure to send Iran's case to the UN Security Council, he said, "Political pressure aiming to take the case out of the agency will not help establish peace and security in the region. We do not recommend it.

"But if Iran is referred to the UNSC through political pressure, we will act based on a second scenario which will be more practical.

"If Iran's case is referred to the council even unofficially or through a report, we will be duty-bound to stop all suspensions based on a Majlis ratification.

"In that case, we will not be limited just to nuclear research but will resume enrichment activities, not will we be obliged to abide by the NPT Additional Protocol anymore."
2327/2322/1412