DAR AL HARB/ISLAM - THE WEST/IRAN: IRAN HOPES THAT A NEW ROUND OF TALKS WILL GIVE WAY TO A PEACEFUL SOLUTION

Soltanieh: Iran in possession of uranium enrichment technology

Iran's IAEA envoy Ali-Asghar Soltanieh said here Thursday that Iran is in possession of uranium enrichment technology.

"That's a reality that the IAEA with 2,000 man/hour inspection and research has come to. Certain countries, however, are not willing to accept the reality," Soltanieh told reporters on the sidelines of the morning session of the International Atomic Energy Agency's Board of Governors.

The Iranian envoy then said that today, Iran can produce all parts of centrifuges.

"Another reality is that Iran does not suspend uranium enrichment because it has not suspended both cooperation with the IAEA and the process of inspectors' inspection to Natanz Facilities.

"Furthermore, reaction to the UN Security Council is an issue already decided by our Majlis. Government in turn should decide on type of reaction because Iran used to observe the additional protocol voluntarily prior to referral of its case to the UNSC." Soltanieh warned against any anti-Iran resolution and action.

"Any resolution and any action (taken against it) would definitely face Iran's reaction. If the scale of access or information is to be restricted, the international community should put pressure on the group of countries which have got the UNSC engaged in the issue." The UNSC's entry in the case should be stopped immediately and a peaceful solution should be found for the problem.

He then said that a look at the course of developments after referral of Iran's case to the UNSC reveals that halting voluntary cooperation, resuming uranium enrichment and ceasing implementation of the code 3.1 had been the least measures that Iranian government has so far taken.

"This means that at present time, our full compliance with the Agency's comprehensive Safeguards is still in effect and the reality should serve as a good ground for attention of those, who favor confrontation.

"And the last message is: To remove ambiguities in its nuclear activities, Iran is ready to let building assurances over peaceful nature of its activities." He hoped that new round of talks going on about its nuclear issue would give way to a peaceful solution.


Pertinent Links:

1) Soltanieh: Iran in possession of uranium enrichment technology