Iran to continue diplomatic efforts to resolve N-issue: envoy
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Paris, Sept 2, IRNA
Iran-France-Nuclear
Iran's Ambassador to Paris Ali Ahani said here Friday that Tehran would continue its diplomatic efforts to clear issues surrounding its nuclear dossier, and stressed Iran was keen to reolving the case peacefully.
Speaking to France Info Radio, Ahani reiterated Iran's commitment to international regulations.
He said that Iran was not concerned over repercussions from the international community over its having defied a deadline set by the UN to freeze uranium processing and other related activities.
The UN Security Council passed resolution 1969 on July 31 demanding Tehran halt its nuclear activities by Thursday, Aug 31, or face sanctions.
"Iran believes in a diplomatic solution and will continue its contacts to settle this sensitive issue," he said, and urged the UN Security Council to fulfill its mandate of defending peace and stability in the world.
Asked to comment on subjects that would likely be discussed by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who has just arrived in Tehran for a two-day visit, and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the ambassador noted that Iran's stance on the issue of its nuclear program would be explained to Annan.
"We will continue our nuclear activities which are for peaceful purposes and under close supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)," the ambassador said.
Recalling Iran's cooperation with the IAEA, he said IAEA inspectors had over 2,400 persons/days of inspection of Iranian nuclear sites but found no evidence Tehran had violated rules and regulations of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
"Iran was one of the first to sign the NPT," he added.
Asked whether Iran was threatened by sanctions sought to be imposed on it for its defiance of international calls for a freeze on its nuclear activities, the ambassador turned the question around and asked: "Should sanctions be imposed on a country that is complying with international regulations?"
He stressed that Iran had done nothing contrary to the NPT nor violated IAEA regulations.
Instead, he focused on the Israeli government's continued defiance of international calls for dismantling of its nuclear arsenal, and echoed President Ahmadinejad's denunciation of the regime as the real threat to the region and the world and of the need to eliminate this regime.
"The Zionist regime's continued violation of UN resolutions and rights of the Palestinian people would justify its elimination." Asked whether Iran was ready to recognize Israel and hold talks with it, the diplomat said: "We have a very transparent stance in this respect. We have always stressed that the will of the people should be respected. A decision arrived at by the entire nation will be respected" internationally.
Pointing to Iran's role in post-war Lebanon, he pointed out that "Iran has always had a stabilizing effect om countries such as Lebanon, which has gone through decades of ethnic and religious conflict. What is true with respect to Afghanistan and Iraq is also true with Lebanon."
Responding to allegations of Iranian meddling in Lebanese affairs through its support for Hezbollah, Ahani said said that "Iran, which has good relations with Lebanon, cannot be accused of meddling." He said Iran supports the Lebanese government and nation and its support for Hezbollah is of a similar nature.
Asked whether Iran would call on Hezbollah to suspend attacks on Israel, Ahani reminded that it was the "Zionist regime that initially attacked Lebanon and Hezbollah simply defended itself."
"If the Zionist regime ends its attacks, it will be logical to ask the other side to reciprocate."
The ambassador once again stressed that "Iran has the potential to defend itself and cannot be threatened by sanctions or a possible attack, but nonetheless will push for a diplomatic solution and negotiations" to settle the ongoing nuclear dispute.
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