Blix ridicules demand on Iran to suspend enrichment activity prior to talks
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Brussels, Sept 15, IRNA
EU-Iran-Blix
Former UN chief weapons inspector Hans Blix said Friday that that it was not important to look into what Iran's intentions are today.
"I do not see the need for haste in case of Iran as it will be years before Iran has enough fuel to produce nuclear weapons? Its time for talks otherwise there is a danger of nationalist feelings taking over," Blix told a gathering of journalists and diplomats at an event organised by a Brussels-based think tans European Policy Centre.
Blix who now chairs Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission ridiculed West's demand That Iran should suspend fuel enrichment prior to any talks.
"Which player is ready to give up its trump card before even the play starts," he asked.
Asked to comment on EU efforts to broker a deal with Iran and if the US will follow if the Europeans are successful, Blix said, "It is an open secret that US is backseat driving Europeans but the question is whether the package will contain any security assurances." He noted that Europeans do not have military power and can talk of economic incentives while the US has to agree for security assurances.
"Although the EU package contains many carrots including trade enhancement, WTO (World Trade Organisation) membership and civilian nuclear program including sale of reactors, the assurances of security are missing, making the package not enough," argued the former chief of UNMOVIC (United Nations Verification & Inspection Commission).
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