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Iran expects IAEA not to act politically: Asefi

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Feb 26, IRNA
Iran-Asefi-Nuclear
Iran on Sunday said it expects the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) not to act politically, like what it did during its last session.

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

"Politicization of the session will not help settle the case.

The IAEA should think of its professional identity and of not being affected by pressures," he said.

He added measures adopted by the United States and certain European countries at the IAEA Board of Governors would destroy its professional identity, saying, "In case a political atmosphere prevails in the next session, neither the agency nor the states intending to exert pressure on the Board of Governors will gain anything."
He said Iran received no official proposal from the IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei on small-scale uranium enrichment, adding, "If the offer is officially presented and its details are made known, it can be discussed."
In response to a question whether Iran and Russia discussed Moscow nuclear proposal during a visit by a Russian delegation to Iran, the spokesman said, "The Russian delegation is still in Iran. Both sides held talks in this regard and will continue negotiations on Monday." "Russia's offer is on the table," Asefi said but he refused to make any judgment about outcomes of talks.

Asked about Iran's stance on continuation or suspension of nuclear talks with the European Unions big trio (Germany, France and Britain), he said, "Currently, talks with the three European states is not on the agenda."
He pointed to recent speech by Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki at the European Parliament in Brussels and his meeting with the EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana as well as his Belgian counterpart and stressed, "Iran will make use of all its potentials to hold talks with different states until the next session of the IAEA Board of Governors."
Asked about a 100-billion-dollar contract with China and its link with nuclear case, Asefi said, "There is no link between
such issues.

"China believes Iran's nuclear case should be settled within frameworks of the IAEA."
He noted Tehran and Beijing enjoy a very high level of trade and economic exchanges.

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