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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Tehran: EU "should value" Iranâs Nuke Talks Offer (No really!) |
| 2005-11-09 |
| Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani said here on Tuesday that the European Union should appreciate Iranâs approach to resuming nuclear negotiations. Larijani wrote a letter to the foreign ministers of Britain, Germany, and France on Sunday calling for fresh talks with the EU trio. âIn our letter, we told Europe that we want to secure the Iranian nationâs right to the peaceful application of nuclear technology through resuming nuclear talks,â he said in a question and answer session at the closing ceremony of the 13th International Conference on Central Asia and the Caucasus. In an interview with the BBC also on Tuesday, Larijani stated that the offer to resume stalled nuclear talks with Europe was his final attempt to salvage negotiations, insisting Tehran would never renounce its right to enrich uranium. European foreign ministers have said they are studying the proposal but have yet to indicate if they will accept the offer. The letter says Iran has a "certain and indisputable right to have access to the complete nuclear fuel cycle and enrichment capability for peaceful purposes such as research, medical, genetics, agricultural and similar applications." It says that this right is "explicit and unambiguous" under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Speaking at the Tehran conference, Larijani said, âWe believe accessing nuclear technology is a strategic decision and therefore pursue the process of talks with Russia, China, and member countries of the Non-Aligned Movement in this respect.â On the recent harsh remarks made by British officials about Iranâs nuclear program, he noted that such remarks should not be taken seriously since they are generally meant for media use. âI believe they have to realize Iranian diplomats are intelligent enough not to take such remarks seriously.â The threat of referral to the UN Security Council is not an issue that can make Iran forgo the nationâs rights, the top nuclear negotiator said. Larijani stated that the resumption of talks can serve as a wise and logical way to handle the dispute over Iranâs nuclear program. âHowever, negotiations should be based upon a certain framework and schedule and, as I have said before, dialogue is not the only way to resolve the current dispute.â He went on to say that Iran firmly insists that its nuclear activities are for completely peaceful purposes, a claim which can also be confirmed through the International Atomic Energy Agency. âThus, the propaganda disseminated by some countries against Iranâs nuclear activities is groundless. âI believe the IAEA has turned into a tool for major powers, through which they pursue their unilateral policies, and today unilateralism has cast a shadow over the nuclear sphere,â Larijani opined. The European Union has attempted to persuade Iran to permanently suspend uranium enrichment as a watertight guarantee that its nuclear program is peaceful and sees it as a condition to reopen the stalled talks. "Our strategy is that we have to achieve nuclear technology and the resumption of⊠conversion is a sign that Iran is determined to master nuclear technology," Larijani told the BBC. On enrichment, he said, "Absolutely it is part of our program. We are not stopping short of enrichment. "Through the language of force and threats you cannot persuade Iran to give up this right." But he also said the offer made to the Europeans "shows Iran's serious willingness to resume negotiations". Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi also rebuffed the European demands for Iran to give up enrichment. "Iran will never renounce its right. The Europeans must respect the agreements from the past and, instead of making excessive demands, recognize Iran's right so the conditions of an understanding are satisfied. "The EU's statement was surprising. We suggest the Europeans change their behavior toward Iran," Asefi told state television. The European Union urged Iran on Monday to comply with the IAEAâs September resolution calling on Tehran to halt uranium conversion at its Isfahan plant. ROFL. Ya gotta love their chutzpah, lol. Anyone taking bets on whether France and Germany will "re-engage"? |
| Posted by:.com |
| #4 Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani said here on Tuesday that the European Union should appreciate Iranâs approach to resuming nuclear negotiations. And like obedient little pets, the EU does, even though they won't admit to it. |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2005-11-09 20:08 |
| #3 âIn our letter, we told Europe that we want to secure the Iranian nationâs right to the peaceful application of nuclear technology through resuming nuclear talks,â How do I appease thee? Let me count the ways. Iran has a "certain and indisputable right to have access to the complete nuclear fuel cycle and enrichment capability for peaceful purposes such as research, medical, genetics, agricultural and similar applications." Ummmm, no. As a hostile and terrorist sponsoring nation, Iran has no right to anything except immediate regime change. They've already made it quite clear how the NPT is nothing more than toilet paper to them. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2005-11-09 17:00 |
| #2 Arent these the guys who said they were going to obliterate Israel just a few days ago? Now we are supposed to believe they are level headed, like a week later? |
| Posted by: bigjim-ky 2005-11-09 16:28 |
| #1 ROTFL - They're Baaaaack! |
| Posted by: Omolurong Spomble5401 2005-11-09 06:11 |