Soltanieh defends Iran's peaceful N-program at IAEA
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Vienna, Nov 27, IRNA -- Iran's Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Ali-Asghar Soltanieh in an address to the IAEA Board meeting on Friday defended Iran's right to have peaceful nuclear energy.
The following is full text of Soltanieh's statement in the Board of Governors meeting (Vienna, November 26-27), which focused on implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Agenda item 4 (c), is as follows:
"In the Name of God, the Most Gracious and the Most Merciful
"Mr. Chairman,
"At the outset I would like to sincerely congratulate you and wish you all the best and assure you the fullest of my cooperation. I would like to put on record the appreciation of my Government for valuable support of the NAM as expressed through the statement read out by distinguished Ambassador of Egypt.
"The current DG report once again acknowledges the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear activities. The IAEA has been able to verify non-diversion of Iran’s nuclear materials and activities. This report proves that all Iran’s nuclear facilities and activities are under the Agency’s full surveillance.
"Once again the Board of Governors is dealing with the implementation of safeguards in the Islamic Republic of Iran due to political motivation of few countries. Under the pretext of this issue, they have planning to change the Agency promotional mandate, which is the main statutory pillar, to a regulatory watchdog approach.
"Let me pose a very simple question. In spite of the fact that Iran is fully implementing the NPT, What could be the status quo if Iran were not party to the NPT? Not only it would have not certainly faced such challenges in the IAEA and UN Security Council, but it would have been embraced for nuclear cooperation by the same countries which have created obstacles and imposed illegal resolutions and Sanctions!
"Mr. Chairman,
Permit me to review the report of Director General and put on record our assessment and concerns:
"General observations:
"1. The report, in contradiction to the Agency’s statutory mandate, contains tremendous confidential technical details which creates a lot of confusions for various readers, diplomats and public at large.
"2. The report is expected to reflect the results of verification. It has to report simply whether the inspectors have been able to conduct verification or not. If so, whether their findings are consistent with the declarations or not. The Secretariat is not mandated to use qualifiers expressing regret or happiness, but just to report facts on the ground.
"Specific Observations:
"1. Suspension: Uranium enrichment and heavy water research reactor are not suspended, since there is no logical and legal justification to suspend such peaceful activities which are in the framework of the IAEA’s Statute and the NPT and under surveillance of the Agency. By the way, it should be reminded that Iran implemented suspension for more than 2.5 years voluntarily, as a non-legally binding and confidence building measure.
"2. Additional Protocol: AP is not a legally binding instrument and is voluntary in nature. Hence, majority of Member States including Iran are not implementing this voluntary protocol. By the way, it should be reminded that Iran implemented AP for more than 2.5 years voluntarily, and as a confidence building measure.
"3. Modified code 3.1 of Subsidiary Arrangement: Iran was implementing voluntarily the modified code 3.1 since 2003, but because of the illegal SC resolutions against Iran’s peaceful nuclear activities, the implementation of modified code 3.1 was suspended. However, Iran currently is implementing code 3.1 of Subsidiary Arrangement.
"4. Alleged Studies: It was never the understanding of Iran and the IAEA to categorize the so-called “Alleged Studies” summarily referred to in part III of INFCIRC/711 as an outstanding issue. Moreover, if the so-called Alleged Studies were an outstanding issue, Iran and the IAEA should have developed and agreed on a detailed modality for dealing with it as they did with respect to the six outstanding issues. According to the work plan, the Agency was required to submit all documentation to Iran and Iran was only then expected to “inform the Agency of its assessment”. No visit, meeting, personal interview, swipe sampling were foreseen for addressing this matter. Notwithstanding the above and based on good faith and in a spirit of cooperation, Iran went beyond the above understanding by agreeing to hold discussions with the IAEA, provided necessary supporting documents and informed the Agency of its assessment. The Islamic Republic of Iran has fully implemented the tasks agreed upon in the Work Plan. Considering the above, the Islamic Republic of Iran is of the belief that its nuclear issue in the Agency is concluded and became normal and thus, Agency is highly expected to announce that the Safeguards in Iran shall turn into routine manner in accordance with the Work Plan (INFCIRC/711).
"5. Fordow Site: Iran is committed to declare a facility to the Agency 180 days prior to introducing nuclear materials to it. However, Iran has voluntarily informed 18 months in prior to introduction of materials to the site. Iran, in addition, provided its DIQ, granted unlimited access to the facility, held meetings and provided detailed information, permitted taking swipe samples and reference photos during 4-days inspection, from 25 to 28 October 2009. Last week, the inspectors were granted access to the site to conduct Design Information Verification. The head of inspection team evaluated their mission as a success and did appreciate Iran’s proactive cooperation and granting unlimited access to the site both in Iran at the end of the inspection and during the technical briefing last week here in Vienna. Director General has clearly reported that “The Agency confirmed that the plant corresponded with the design information provided by Iran”. I have to recall that very existence of the site, as a contingency and back-up enrichment plant for Natanz, is due to the fact that nuclear facilities have been under continuous threat of military attack, therefore the Agency is demanded to protect any information provided during inspection with outmost vigilance and care to prevent any security consequences, the fact which unfortunately has not been observed by the Agency.
"Mr. Chairman,
"I seek your indulgence to have more time in order to shed some light on the issue of supply of fuel for Tehran Research Reactor:
"1. The Agency has to facilitate exchange of information and nuclear material for peaceful purposes among Member States.
"2. Member States, particularly parties to the NPT have an “undertaking”, according to Article IV of the Treaty, to cooperate in the area of peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
"3. The request for fuel for Tehran Research Reactor was submitted to Director General on 2nd June 2009. This Reactor is 5MW Light Water Research Reactor producing radioisotopes for medical purposes.
"4. During the 53’rd General Conference, the Director General informed the President of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran that Russia and United States have expressed their readiness to supply the fuel. One sheet of non-paper to that effect was handed over. The paper suggested that equivalent amount uranium for the required fuel should be taken from the LEU produced in Iran and transferred for further enrichment to Russia. This was not in the line of normal practice which is to pay and get the fuel in exchange.
"5. However in order to create an environment of technical cooperation and to give an opportunity to parties concerned to rectify their past misconducts, including discrimination and double standard policies, the Islamic Republic of Iran welcomed the said proposal, while raising its economic and commercial observations. They are highly expected to seize this opportunity and to provide the fuel for such a humanitarian project.
"6. Based on the above positive approach, the Islamic Republic of Iran’s experts’ team participated at the negotiations held from 19 to 21 October 2009 with a spirit of cooperation and full authority to conclude an agreement upon successful negotiations. I have to reiterate that this process has nothing to do with the so called 5+1 negotiations, since it is dealing with a purely technical project within the domain of the IAEA and not political issues.
"7. Although the meeting was constructive and the Director General tried his best, for which I am appreciative, but the consensus was not achieved.
"8. As I did announce after the 1st round of negotiations, the Islamic Republic of Iran is [was] ready to participate at the 2nd meeting, as soon as possible, with positive approach, with the expectation of incorporating its legitimate technical and economic concerns, specifically the guarantees and assurances of fuel supply, bearing in mind the past confidence deficit in this respect. Regrettably, the 2nd round of meetings did not take place because of other parties, non readiness.
"9. Time is the essence, since the present fuel of Tehran Research Reactor is running out, and about 200 hospitals which receive the radiopharmaceutical would then face humanitarian difficulties. Therefore I expect the Agency and parties concerned would come back to the technical negotiation without further delay.
"10. Islamic Republic of Iran should have firm and objective guaranties in receiving fuel for the Reactor, otherwise other options will be considered.
"Mr. Chairman,
"In conclusion, I have to put on record that the Islamic Republic of Iran as a responsible country has a crystal clear nuclear policy. It deplores nuclear weapons and calls for “a world without nuclear weapons”. It emphasizes on inalienable rights of all nations to benefit from peaceful uses of nuclear energy without any discrimination. The Agency should promptly stop politically motivated debates, such as frustrated political discussions on Iran’ peaceful nuclear activities which have already jeopardized its technical nature and mutual confidence and trust among Member States and the Secretariat.
"Mr. Chairman, distinguished delegates,
"Last but not least is the expression of appreciation to the attempts of H.E. Dr. ElBaradei, during his 12 years tenure. Sincere wish for the success of our new Director General H. E. Mr. Amano for his challenges ahead. There is a high expectation from the side of the Member States for the promotion of the Agency’s main pillar i.e. the technical cooperation, and its depolarization. Of the most essential tenet of an international civil servant is to be impartial and resisting political presssures. I assure you sir the fullest cooperation of my country.
"Thank you for your kind attention," concluded the statement by Soltanieh, who is Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Vienna.
1420
End News / IRNA / News Code 813714
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
