Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

FM refutes US counterpart's claims

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, May 26, IRNA -- Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki here on Wednesday refuted the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s claim that Iran’s letter to the IAEA was flawed and said “Claims of the US State Secretary have problems and not Iran’s letter to the IAEA.”

Addressing a joint press conference with his Burundi counterpart, Augustin Nsanze here on Wednesday, Mottaki said the problem with Clinton's claims is that she should have offered her official response to the IAEA immediately after receipt of Iran’s letter.

Mottaki said based on the May 17 Iran-Turkey-Brazil fuel swap declaration, the Vienna Group should hold a session after hearing views of its members so as to strive for forwarding a written document of understanding.

“So they can raise their comment(s), if any, at the (Vienna Group) session,” he added.

Noting that Clinton’s claims have merely propaganda consumption, Mottaki said that irrespective of Mrs. Clinton’s claims, general view on international scene is that certain members of Vienna Group, many countries, regional and international organizations and groups have welcomed the Tehran Declaration.

He went on to say that 24 hours after Tehran Declaration, foreign ministers from 57 Islamic states in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, welcomed Tehran Declaration, seeking other parties' support for the Declaration.

“It is in the interest of all parties involved to join the ongoing wave because it follows a very important goal, that is shifting from confrontation towards engagement and cooperation.”