Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Larijani: No connection between Bushehr project, UN resolution

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, March 13, IRNA
Iran-Nuclear-Larijani
Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani on Tuesday ruled out any connection between Russia's decision to delay completion of Bushehr nuclear power plant and the new UN Security Council resolution on Iran.

"That's a media comment; what we've heard is different," said Larijani when asked by a reporter at a press conference whether Russian president Vladimir Putin had ordered delaying Bushehr nuclear project with approach of the new UN Security Council resolution on Iran.

Larijani also turned down the assumption that delaying of the project was politically motivated.

Asked on impact of the new UN Security Council resolution on Iran, Larijani said, "Such extremist approaches towards Iran's nuclear program, which is very clearly for civilian purpose, will have no result but making Iran more determined to follow up the program." He said, "They do not know Iranians well; if Iranians feel that there is an outside enemy making bully, they will set aside differences and stand firmly in defense of their national aspiration." He warned that any hardline approach would be given a crushing response.

The official said Iran has repeatedly announced its readiness for negotiation but the other party has left the talks and taken up the ambitious options.

As for the second phase of centrifuge operation, he said he was not informed of the first and second phases of centrifuge operation.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Larijani said he did not accept the Russian party's claim that operation of Bushehr power plant in September 2007 had been based on mathematical calculations.

"If Russia has any considerations, it should tell it to us more clearly," he said, adding that he supposed financial problem should have been at work.

As for Iraq, Larijani said Iran would do its best for restoration of security and economic development in Iraq.

"I believe in regional cooperation as the key to the Iraq problem; and I think regional states have a good potential to solve problems logically themselves," he added.

He said Iran deems recent Baghdad conference of Iraq neighbors positively.

To a question whether there would be any Iran-US meeting on Iraq, Larijani said, "We had already announced that in connection with Iraq security, the Islamic Republic of Iran is prepared to offer whatever assistance."
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