|
Despite
UN Referral, Iran Sees Room For Diplomacy
 |
|
The UN nuclear watchdog decided to refer Iran's nuclear program to the Security Council for an action. (Reuters)
|
TEHRAN,
March 9, 2006 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – A day after it
was reported to the UN Security Council, Iran said on Thursday, March
9, it was still open for talks over its nuclear program.
"The
Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to cooperate with the IAEA
(International Atomic Energy Agency) in order to achieve its rights,
but will not accept the politicization of the nuclear case,"
Abdol Reza Rahmani-Fazli, the deputy of top negotiator Ali Larijani,
was quoted as saying by Agence France-Presse (AFP).
"The
principle of negotiations as a way to answer all questions is
considered open," he added.
The
UN nuclear watchdog on Wednesday, March 8, decided to send a report on
Iran's nuclear activity to the UN Security Council, clearing the way
for an action against Tehran over its atomic energy drive.
Unlike
the IAEA, the Security Council has enforcement powers and can impose
punitive measures, including sanctions.
The
United States and Europe claim that Iran's nuclear program is meant to
make nuclear weapons.
But
Tehran maintains it wants to master nuclear fuel cycle technology to
feed atomic reactors generating electricity.
"Good
Faith"
Tehran
has proposed suspension of the industrial-scale enrichment, but refuse
to halt uranium enrichment research.
Rahmani-Fazli
said that Tehran's insistence on only conducting research was a sign
of its "good faith."
"Iran
will not give up its right to research and development because this is
against the wishes of the Iranian people," he told state media.
Iranian
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad also seemed more defiant to the Western
pressures, Reuters said.
 |
|
"This nation ... will not allow others to treat it with a bullying attitude," Ahmadinejad said. (Reuters)
|
"This
nation ... will not allow others to treat it with a bullying attitude,
even if those who treat it with a bullying attitude are international
bullies," the semi-official ISNA students news agency quoted him
as saying in western Iran.
"Our
enemies will never succeed in forcing the Iranian nation to step back
on its rights over peaceful nuclear technology because it never
accepts humiliation," he said.
A
senior Iranian security official warned Wednesday Tehran could inflict
"harm and pain" to match whatever punishment Washington
persuaded the Security Council to mete out.
Some
Iranian officials have warned that if pressured further over the
nuclear case Tehran could restrict its vital oil exports to push
prices even higher.
The
Security Council is expected to discuss the issue as early as next
week.
Russian
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said slapping sanctions on Tehran would
not be the best solution.
"I
don't think sanctions as a means to solve a crisis have ever achieved
a goal in recent history," he told reporters.
He
said that the nuclear watchdog should continue to lead efforts to
resolve the dispute.
|
