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Nuclear talks ended because of West's double standards: Mottaki

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Vienna, April 5, IRNA
Iran-Swiss-Mottaki
Iran's nuclear talks came to an end because of the West's double standards, a Swiss newspaper quoted Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki as saying here on Tuesday.

Mottaki told `Le Tan' daily in an exclusive interview published in its Tuesday edition that Tehran would defend its legitimate right to access peaceful nuclear technology.

Mottaki, who was described by the daily as "cool" and "highly self-confident," was further quoted as saying the West resorted to international law and regulations in order to impose its wishes on other states.

In the interview, Mottaki referred to Article 4 of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) that says any member state of the treaty has the right to pursue a peaceful nuclear program.

"It (Art 4) further stresses that nuclear powers are even required to assist other members" in their desire to avail of nuclear energy, Mottaki pointed out.

Mottaki also reminded that Tehran "has continuous and close cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog and its nuclear sites are open to IAEA inspectors."
Arguing that Western countries had pre-judged Iran's peaceful nuclear program by accusing Tehran of having the intention to produce nuclear weapons, Mottaki reminded that Iran was one of the first to sign the NPT, having signed it 36 years ago.

"It is high time Tehran avails of its benefits" (after 36 years of membership), he added.

"Iran will, by no means, give up its legitimate right to peaceful nuclear technology," Mottaki firmly told the Swiss newspaper.

He expressed confidence threats and sanctions would not be imposed on Iran.

Reiterating that Tehran would in no way give in to threats, Mottaki was also confident a compromise would be reached within the 30-day deadline set in the UNSC statement.

The United Nations Security Council last week set a deadline of 30 days for Iran to quit uranium enrichment and enjoined the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to report after 30 days on Iran's compliance.

Asked by the paper why Tehran insisted on availing of nuclear energy despite its "rich natural oil and gas resources," the minister responded, "Do you ask the same question from the US that obtains 25 percent of its energy needs from nuclear power plants?"
Mottaki bewailed the double standards applied by the West with respect to its nuclear activities, saying "Westerners are imposing some criteria on Iran which they do not impose on themselves or are not willing to comply."
Asked whether Iran would use oil as a "weapon" or political lever, the minister replied: "Iran will never use oil as a political lever and will continue to honor its commitments, particularly to its Asian importers."
Turning to US accusations that Iran is meddling in Iraqi internal affairs, Mottaki said that the US war against terrorism has spread the flames of terrorism instead of containing it.

"The situation that Washington has created in Iraq makes it obvious that it should no longer talk about meddling."
He further stressed that Tehran has always given great importance to establishing a stable Iraq and continues to "support any effort that would bring back stability to that country."
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