Iran Blasts Statements of UN Secretary-General

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyed Mohammad Ali Hosseini here on Thursday lashed out at the recent statements made by the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, saying that his remarks are in contradiction to the Article 4 of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

“Mr. Ban Ki-Moon’s statements contradict the spirit of Article 4 of the NPT, which stipulates the rights of the world nations to possess civilian nuclear technology,” Hosseini said according to a statement released by the Foreign Ministry’s Information and Press Bureau.

He further reiterated that Iran’s nuclear activities conform with NPT rules and regulations and are under constant inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), adding, “Ignoring the right of IAEA member states to acquire peaceful nuclear technology is against the legal principles of the NPT.”

“And this is the right which has been emphasized and backed by the 118 member states of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in its summit of December 22, 2006,” the spokesman continued.

He expressed surprise over the UN Secretary-General’s biased stances and his disregard for the principle of just and fair treatment of the IAEA member states in enjoying the right of nuclear acquisition, and stated, “We expect the UN Secretary-General’s position-takings and approaches to be in conformity with the UN Charter, based on fair and just views and in line with the responsibilities entrusted to Mr. Ki-Moon.”

Hosseini further expressed the hope that the UN Secretary-General would pave the way for the execution of the UN Charter by using logical assessments and constructive initiatives and refrain from pursuing unilateral approaches and extremist thoughts of the expansionist powers.

The foreign ministry spokesman also hoped that Ban Ki-Moon would take long strides in restoring global peace and security.

He also called on the UN Secretary-General to pay attention and deal with the potential nuclear threats posed to the region and show reaction to the Zionist regime’s having admitted to the possession of nuclear weapons, which he said has raised deep concerns on the side of all Middle-Eastern states.

The diplomat expressed the hope that Ban Ki-Moon would pursue Iran’s initiative, which the UN General Assembly approved last year, to rid the world of all weapons of mass destruction.