Iran Hardliner Says No Nuke Checks Under Pressure
September 03, 2003
Reuters
MSNBC News
TEHRAN -- An influential Iranian hardliner said on Wednesday the Islamic Republic would not sign up to snap inspections of its nuclear facilities under the influence of international pressure, a newspaper reported.
Ali Larijani, head of the state broadcaster, directly appointed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said Iran would not be forced to sign the so-called Additional Protocol that would allow intrusive inspections of nuclear sites.
''The Islamic Republic of Iran will not sign the Additional Protocol under the influence of political pressures,'' hardline newspaper Kayhan quoted him as saying.
Analysts have said Iran's conservatives want to present any signing of the Additional Protocol to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty as a voluntary step in the national interest and avoid accusations of buckling to pressure from the United States, Iran's arch foe, and others.
Reformist Vice President Mohammad Ali Abtahi told reporters on Wednesday that the hardliners' stance would mellow with time.
''The passage of time will be effective in persuading them,'' he said.
The United States has accused Iran of a covert bid to build nuclear weapons, which Iran denies. The European Union has urged Iran to sign the Additional Protocol if it wants to keep good ties with the 15-nation bloc.
Iranian hardliners say signing the Additional Protocol would allow spies into the country. Reformists say it would show that Iran has nothing to hide, although some fear that it could infringe the nation's sovereignty.
If Iran does sign up, Iranian conservatives say they want nuclear technical assistance in return. Analysts say such an offer is not on the table.
Iran says it is developing a civilian nuclear programme to satisfy booming electricity demand and free up abundant oil and gas reserves for export. It blames weapons-grade uranium found in the country on contamination.
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