Monday, 27 November 2006TEHRAN,(MNA) - Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini said here on Sunday said that the Iranian government has agreed to allow the International Atomic Energy Agency to take samples from a research center.
Iran is still cooperating with the IAEA, even though the agency rejected Tehran's request for technical assistance for the Arak heavy water reactor project, he told reporters at his weekly press briefing.
As an international body, it is the duty of the IAEA to help members within the framework of international regulations and commitments, Hosseini noted.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said that the Islamic Republic of Iran will continue its cooperation with the IAEA and the agency's inspectors will be allowed to inspect the country's nuclear sites whenever they deem necessary, although Iran will continue its civilian nuclear activities.
Asked about the possibility of Moscow changing its stance toward Iran's nuclear activities, Hosseini replied that Tehran has witnessed no specific change, and Russia's stance is more realistic.
Nevertheless, all countries, including Russia, move in line with the UN Security Council, and Tehran hopes Russia can use its influence to remove Iran's nuclear dossier from the Security Council agenda and return it to the IAEA, he added.
"Iran's nuclear activities are legal and carried out under IAEA surveillance," Hosseini pointed out.
He also expressed regret over the recent terrorist attack in Iraq and the assassination of the Lebanese industry minister.
Hosseini said that the recent attack in Iraq was carried out by people targeting the entire Iraqi nation, Arab Shias, Arab Sunnis, and Kurds, and suggested that the only way Iraqis can solve their country's problems would be by maintaining national unity and relying on the government.
Unfortunately, the assassination of the Lebanese industry minister happened at a time when the Lebanese are trying to resolve their country's political crises, the Foreign Ministry spokesman added.
Hosseini also stated that the sixth Iran-Malaysia Joint Commission meeting was held in Tehran from Tuesday to Thursday.
The two countries enjoy deep cultural and social affinities, and Tehran and Kuala Lumpur have always adopted similar stances toward international issues, including the issues of human rights in Iran and Iran's nuclear dossier, he noted.
The expansion of bilateral trade was one of the points the two states discussed at the joint commission meeting, he added.
Hosseini denied reports that a meeting between the Iranian, Syrian, and Iraqi presidents had been arranged.
"A tripartite meeting between the presidents of Iran, Iraq, and Syria is not on the agenda," he explained.
He went on to say that Iraqi President Jalal Talabani had been scheduled to visit Iran, but the visit was postponed due to the closure of Baghdad's international airport following intense terrorist attacks in the country.
However, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has been invited to visit Iran, Hosseini said, adding, "Negotiations are currently underway to fix the date of the visit."
Mehrnews.com
27.11.2006
|
Monday, 27 November 2006
Iran
|
|
