Signing additional protocol should be decided by government
Tehran, Aug 31, IRNA -- Head of Majlis Energy Commission Hossein
Afarideh said here Sunday that the government, and not international
pressure, should be the basis of signing the additional protocol to
the Non-Proliferation-Treaty (NPT).
Given that Iran` nuclear program is peaceful, there are no concerns
over International Atomic Energy Agency`s (IAEA) inspectors visiting
the Iranian facilities, he told reporters. "The European Union has
been influenced by US pressures."
The IAEA delegation that recently visited Iran, had no
restrictions on inspection of the nuclear facilities or taking
samples, "which in itself is indicative of Iran`s peaceful
intentions."
On wether Iran should abandon NPT altogether, he said uninformed
individuals should refrain from making statements which might create
tension in the society.
There should be a thorough evaluation of the issue and these
individuals should not make such statements, Afarideh underlined.
Furthermore, some people oppose Iran having a peaceful nuclear
program under any circumstances, "not even accelerator facilities
with agricultural and medical applications," the MP from Shirvan
said.
Meanwhile, Iran has invited the European Union for bilateral
cooperation in the country`s nuclear programs, Head of Iran`s Atomic
Energy Organization (IAEO) Gholam-Reza Aqazadeh said here Saturday.
Talking to reporters after his meeting with EU Foreign Policy
Chief Javier Solana, Aqazadeh said Iran has asked the EU to prevent
the politicization of the country`s nuclear programs.
"During the meeting, we asked the EU representative to prevent
the politicization of Iran`s nuclear activities so that the agency
(International Atomic Energy Agency) could continue its work in a
calm atmosphere without propaganda," Aqazadeh said.
"Touching upon the Additional Protocol to the Non-Proliferation
Treaty (NPT), we told the European side that Iran is ready to launch
the expert discussion to this effect," he added.
He underlined the need to hold talks with the IAEA and said, "It
is natural that there are important issues which should be discussed
by the two sides in order to clear the ambiguities."
The official noted that Iran`s cooperation with the IAEA is
beyond legal commitments as the director general of the agency
had confirmed such an issue so the agency can be helped to reach
favorable results.
He said this time the two sides held more positive talks compared
to previous negotiations, adding that European states are interested
in cooperating more with Iran after signing the Additional Protocol.
"The EU is also interested to be informed of Iran`s nuclear
programs," he added.
http://www.irna.ir/#2003_08_3119_38_474President Khatami condemns any form of terrorism
Tehran, Aug 31, IRNA -- President Mohammad Khatami here on Sunday
condemned any form of terrorism and said when a group occupy a
country, they are responsible for its security too.
President Khatami told visiting Polish Defense Minister Jerzy
Szmajdzinski that Iran is ready to contribute to security,
independence, stability and reconstruction of Iraq.
He stressed the need for Iraqis to decide their own fate, saying
Iran is seriously concerned over unrest in the region.
He called for promotion of Tehran-Warsaw ties, and benefiting
from mutual potentials, especially the economic and commercial ones,
to bolster activities in third countries, including Central Asian
republics.
Szmajdzinski, submitting a written message from the Polish
president to Khatami, lauded significance of Iran`s contribution to
settlement of Iraqi problems and restoration of security in the region
and the world.
He also urged expansion of the two-way ties, particularly in the
economic, political and security domains.
http://www.irna.ir/#2003_08_3119_30_470