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FM says ElBaradei's enrichment proposal "a step forward"

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Feb 18, IRNA
Iran-FM-Nuclear
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki here Saturday welcomed a proposal by International Atomic Energy Agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei for Iran to be able to conduct small-scale enrichment within its territory, terming it as "a step forward."
Mottaki was talking to reporters on the fringes of the 8th Iran- Tunisia Joint Economic Commission session.

"We welcome our friends' positive view toward the issue of enrichment inside Iran and regard it as a step forward.

"We are still ready to continue negotiations," Mottaki said.

"We have always held the view that with regard to the nuclear issue there are two sides to be considered: one is to remove concerns of certain countries on Iran's peaceful nuclear activities by providing necessary guarantees and the other is to defend the legitimate right of the Iranian nation to pursue nuclear energy for peaceful purposes," he added.

He said Iran was determined to find a suitable formula for building confidence on Iran's peaceful nuclear activities that would at the same time preserve its nuclear right.

Asked whether ElBaradei's remark was an offer or a confirmation given to the proposal by the IAEA Board of Governors, the minister responded: "Certain views have been expressed. We find the view that upholds enrichment in Iran as a step forward."
Referring to Iran's recent resumption of small-scale uranium enrichment at its Natanz facility, Mottaki said, "We resumed this work within our territory based on our legal right and within the framework of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. But we are not at the industrial level of fuel production yet."
He said Iran is ready to continue talks with its friends to reach a comprehensive formula.

In response to a question on US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's recent remarks of a 75-million-dollar fund provided by the US for Iran opposition groups under its Foundation for Democracy Program in the Middle East, Mottaki urged Rice to look into the cases of her predecessors.

"Over the past 27 years, the US record has been one of interference while under the Algeria Declaration it has made the commitment of not interfering in Iran's internal affairs." The US has the notorious reputation of being a violator of laws and conventions, he noted.

He further said that a review of US history would show that interference returns empty handed.

He then urged US officials to appropriate the budget for a more important cause that would bring benefits to the US nation.

"This project only goes to show that hatred against the United States has increased tremendously throughout the world in recent years," he said.

"If US statesmen conduct a proper study and redefine this project we will even help," he added.

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