Eurasia Press & News
Iran on Sunday stressed once more that it would not accept suspension of its uranium enrichment activities, but meantime called on the Group 5+1 to present Tehran with its views and ideas through official and diplomatic channels. “If member states of the 5+1 have any idea or plan, they’d better present it through official and diplomatic channels,” Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyed Mohammad Ali Hosseini told reporters during his weekly press conference here in Tehran today.
The remarks come after some media reports alleging that the Group 5+1 would concede establishment of a uranium enrichment consortium on Iran’s soil on the condition that Tehran suspends its uranium enrichment activities first.
“They have raised the issue through the media. Of course they have not specified any precondition for the establishment of an international consortium on Iran’s soil. Anyway, preconditions, in whatever form they might be, are not acceptable to us,” Hosseini pointed out.
Meantime, the spokesman stressed that the idea for the establishment of an international consortium to enrich uranium on Iran’s soil could be studied and discussed by the two sides in case it does not pose any illegal restrictions on Iran’s nuclear activities and in case it does not trample upon the rights of the Iranian nation.
Asked about a delay in talks between Iran’s top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani and EU Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana, Hosseini reminded that no fixed date had been specified for Larijani-Solana talks, and added, “They had said that the talks would be continued in two weeks time. They had done some consultations and as soon as they conclude their views, the date and venue of the next round of negotiations would be specified.”
He further pointed to the deadline specified in the UN Security Council Resolution 1747 for the stop of enrichment activities by Tehran, and said, “We strive to prevent issuance of any other resolutions, but if the other side continues this method, it will certainly complicate the situation.”
The spokesman described continued talks as the rational way of solving Iran’s nuclear issue.
Elsewhere, the spokesman pointed to the current visit to the United Arab Emirates and Oman by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and said the trip is of grave importance as it is the first visit to the UAE by an Iranian head of state during the post-Islamic Revolution era.
He said that during the visit, Ahmadinejad is due to discuss latest developments in bilateral ties, and exchange views about regional issues and developments, economic and industrial cooperation, enhancement and promotion of trade exchanges and bolstering of cultural cooperation with the two Persian Gulf littoral states.
Hosseini stressed that the trip would accelerate bilateral and regional cooperation between Iran and the two Arab states.
He also noted the recent visit to Scandinavian countries, including Sweden, by Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, and said that Mottaki had discussed issues of Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Palestine, human rights, campaign against terrorism, global disarmament and Iran’s civilian nuclear activities during his meetings with officials of the Nordic states.
The spokesman said that balancing economic and trade relations with European countries and utilization of the economic potentials existing in Scandinavian countries sets Iran’s new strategy for economic interaction with the European states.
He also mentioned that during the trip to Sweden, Mottaki’s proposal for the formation of a global disarmament contract group has been welcomed by Stockholm officials.
Elsewhere, in response to reporters’ questions, the spokesman dismissed allegations that Ahmadinejad’s visit to the Persian Gulf littoral states is meant to serve as a countermeasure to neutralize a similar visit to the Arab states of the Persian Gulf region by the US Vice President, Dick Cheney, describing the Iranian president’s visit as a premeditated measure aimed at bolstering and boosting bilateral and regional cooperation.
Meantime, he said the statements made by Dick Cheney indicated the confused state of the American politicians as they contradicted the remarks and views of the US President Bush, adding that contradictory remarks made by the US officials mean that Bush administration is suffering from illusions.
Hosseini said Iran regulates its ties on the basis of its well-principled views and policies, and continued, “Americans have so far sought to create crises, foment unrests and insecurity and cause instability and intimidation in the region, and we are strongly opposed to such policies.”
“The contradictory remarks and dual attitude shown by the Americans illustrates the fact that there exists no single decision-making body in the US,” he mentioned.
Responding to the question if Iran strives to establish a military alliance with the Persian Gulf littoral states, the spokesman said, “We have always stressed that we seek security cooperation and collective security cooperation with the Persian Gulf littoral states.”
Asked about the case of Haleh Esfandyari, the foreign ministry spokesman stressed that Esfanyari is an Iranian national and that if there exists any problem or issue in relation to her which requires investigations or verification, the job should be done by Iranian authorities and according to Iran’s rules and regulations exactly like what is done about other Iranian citizens.
Elsewhere, Hosseini said Tehran has extended a positive response to a request by the Iraqi government for attending talks with the US over Iraq issue.
“Iran will attend direct talks with Americans in Iraq in a bid to soothe the pains, sufferings and agonies of the Iraqi nation, strengthen and support Nuri al-Maliki’s legal administration and establish and reinvigorate peace and security in that country,” he said.
The spokesman added that Tehran would specify the date and the level of it negotiating team by late this week.
Elsewhere, the diplomat responded to questions about the meeting between family members and the five Iranian diplomats kidnapped during a raid by the US troops on Iran’s consulate general in the northern Iraqi city of Erbil months ago, and said, “Americans have not specified a date for the meeting yet.”
In another part of the conference, the Iranian foreign ministry spokesman denied the US allegations about Iran’s cooperation with the US in the arrest and handover of Abdul-Hadi al-Araghi, an al-Qaeda liaison, describing the claim as a “mere lie”.
Also asked to comment on the summoning of the Yemeni ambassador to Tehran by Sana’a, the spokesman expressed regret over the measure, and said, “It is of much surprise and regret to witness that Yemen links its domestic affairs with the Islamic Republic.”
