16-10-05
The United States has admitted that Iran has the right to use peaceful
nuclear technology, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi said. Asefi was
commenting on the recent remarks made by the US Secretary of State Condoleezza
Rice on Iran.
"Remark by Ms Rice on Iran's right to have nuclear technology is something and
confidence-building is something else. It is clear the United States has
acknowledged that Iran has such rights." He rejected using unfamiliar and
inventive literature saying, "Admission of Iran's rights to use nuclear
technology is hidden in remarks made by Ms Rice and people like her."
Asefi added, "On building the confidence deemed by Ms Rice, it should be said
that confidence will be made through implementation of the (nuclear) Protocol
and regulations. When we talk about confidence, such a confidence should be
built on the basis of commitment to laws and regulations.”
"The Europeans should take into consideration that confidence building is a
two-way road. It is theEuropeans who damaged such a confidence by refraining
from fulfilling their commitments."
Referring to the visit to Iran of deputy chief of the International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA) and IAEA inspectors, Asefi said, "The presence in Iran of
this delegation is a clear instance of Iran's cooperation with the agency. Good
progress was made during the visit."
Asked about the resumption of Iran's nuclear talks with Europe and other states
and involvement of South Africa in the negotiations, the spokesman said nuclear
talks are currently underway at different levels in Tehran and in European and
non-European states.
"Representatives of Iran's Foreign Ministry and Supreme National Security
Council are active," he said.
In response to a question on suspension of nuclear activities at Isfahan's
Uranium Conversion Facility (as a precondition) to resume talks, he said,
"With respect to Isfahan, suspension was carried out voluntarily, and we will
not go back to the past. It was the Europeans who cancelled the Paris Agreement
through their unilateral and inexact interpretation," he said.
Source: PIN/IRNA