• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

FM calls on 5+1 group to announce their view on Iran's response

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Sept 3, IRNA
Iran-Mottaki-Nuclear
Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki called on the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany (5+1 group) to announce their view on Iran's response to their proposal as soon as possible.

He made the remark at a joint press conference with the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan on Sunday.

Turning to Europe's mistake in reporting Iran's nuclear issue to the UNSC, the minister said that Europe made a terrible blunder by urging the UNSC to approve a political and illegal resolution under the political pressures of US and Britain.

"Our assessment of the issue is over and it is now their turn to go through our proposed scheme accurately and announce their views. If they need more time, we are prepared to provide such an opportunity.

"Iran has neither called for more time nor does it have to do anything particular about it, given that all the points of interest are included in the proposals of the two sides," he said.

For his part, Annan said that Iran's nuclear dossier is still being legally examined by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

"Both UNSC and IAEA are involved in the assessment of the issue.

Meanwhile, Iran and the 5+1 group are in constant contact and continue exchanging views on the matter," he added.

Annan said that as the UN secretary general he will see to it that the process continues.

In response to a question whether anything new is expected to be announced in the coming days and if Iran has taken a new stance, he said that Iran has declared that everything can be solved through negotiations.

About implementation of the content of UNSC Resolution 1701, he said, "It has been accepted by Israel and Lebanon. I myself witnessed that the governments of both sides signed it.

The UN official pointed to his negotiations with Israeli officials about ending blockade of Lebanon and said that in addition to 16,000 Lebanese soldiers, 5,000 international forces are expected to be deployed in the region.

"After deployment of the specified number of forces, the Israeli soldiers can totally withdraw from the region, given the sufficient number of troops," he added.

About Israel's air raid on Qana, he said that a statement was issued after the tragedy which condemned those behind it.

Mottaki urged that the Lebanese captives and the two Israeli soldiers should be released, adding that Iran supports the humanitarian measures of the UN to this end.

2326/2322/1412