Rafsanjani highlights Iran`s conditions for signing protocol
Tehran, Oct 3, IRNA -- Former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said
here on Friday that Iran`s conditions for signing the additional
protocol to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) may be the
same as those of the US.
"We also have conditions [for signing the additional protocol]
and our conditions may be the same as those which the US has declared
in its talks with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),"
Rafsanjani told worshipers in a sermon at Tehran Friday prayers.
He recalled US conditions that its signing the protocol must not
jeopardize its security, values and sanctities, and that it must not
lead to investigation of issues that are not related to the nuclear
energy.
"We have not yet declared our conditions, but I think these are
the cornerstone of our conditions," Rafsanjani said.
The Islamic Republic is already a signatory to the nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). However, the IAEA is refusing to
provide Iran with the nuclear expertise that under the agency`s
regulations it is entitled to receive.
Iran says it needs to receive guarantees before signing the
additional protocol that the sanctions imposed by the West are
removed and that nuclear powers help the Islamic Republic attain
nuclear technology to satisfy its energy needs.
Rafsanjani further refreshed vows that Iran would not pursue
atomic weapons, stressing that these weapons are against the religious
teachings of Iranians and all the Muslims.
"Just as the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah
Seyyed Ali Khamenei has declared, we consider using atomic weapons as
haram (forbidden) according to the Islamic sanctities and the
principles of our religion," Rafsanjani said.
"We have always been committed to this. Yet, it is regrettable
that there is a ballyhoo against Iran in the world even though we have
explicitly announced that the Islamic Republic only wants to use the
nuclear technology for peaceful purposes."
He further recalled Iran`s previous positions that it is willing
to continue cooperation with IAEA, and that it would study the NPT`s
additional protocol thoroughly and would agree to sign it "if it fits
our interests".
"They are well aware that we have made this decision at the
highest levels of the country and are now following it. But it is very
unfortunate that they are so biased and merciless toward us,"
Rafsanjani said.
The IAEA Board of Governors last month set an October 31 deadline
for Iran to prove it is pursuing peaceful nuclear programs.
The resolution that was submitted by Canada, Japan and Australia
also calls on Tehran to clarify its nuclear program by the end of
October and to suspend its uranium enrichment program.
Rafsanjani called the IAEA Board of Governors "hypocrite,
deceitful and opportunist", stressing that this issue is "very ugly
and dangerous" for world powers and their image in the international
arena.
http://www.irna.ir/#2003_10_0315_21_407