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Asefi: Larijani, Solana to hold dialogue on Iran's nuclear issue

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, June 25, IRNA
Iran-Nuclear-Asefi
Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi said here Sunday Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani will hold talks with EU Foreign Policy chief Javier Solana on Iran's peaceful nuclear program but declined to say the date and venue of the dialogue.

"An agreement has been reached in principle for the dialogue and the talks will be held sometime and somewhere," said Asefi when asked by reporters on the exact date and venue of the Iran-EU nuclear talks.

Asked whether Iran will forward any letter on ambiguities of the G5+1 package of incentives before offering its reply to the said package, Asefi said it makes no difference which one comes first.

He ruled out any precondition for talks, saying it will make the process of understanding much more difficult.

Elsewhere in his weekly press briefing, Asefi said the support of 116 NAM member states and 57 Muslim countries for Iran's peaceful nuclear program, indicated that Iran's move was under international laws and regulations.

Asefi denounced North Korean missile test, saying, "We do no welcome any move which will lead to arms race."
"On the other hand," he said, "we do not welcome the discriminatory approaches of Western states in that respect, believing that the issue should be solved in a six-way dialogue free from any pressure and intimidation."

To a question on the US military movements on Faw island, Asefi said, "Unfortunately, the US forces' behavior has endangered regional security and stability."

Iran has, from the beginning, voiced its concern over presence of the American forces in the region, said Asefi, hoping that regional states will join hands and pave the way for the US troops' pullout from the region.

Asked on a Holocaust meeting, that was supposed to be held in spring, Asefi said it will be held in November.

Asefi then denounced Canada's stance against presence of Tehran prosecutor general Saeed Mortazavi at a UN Human Rights Council meeting, saying, "Canadians too know very well that their claim is baseless."
As for the fate of four Russian diplomats kidnapped in Iraq, Asefi said Iran is against and condemns hostage taking.

He said Iran will do all within its power to secure release of the diplomats if it is asked to do so. He hoped the hostages will be freed soon.

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