Iran warns against violation of its right to civilian nuclear energy
16:58 | 03/ 05/ 2008
TEHRAN, May 3 (RIA Novosti) – Iran’s foreign minister called on
Saturday on the six countries mediating in the Iranian nuclear problem
issue to avoid violating Tehran’s right to civilian nuclear energy.
"At [our] recent meeting in Kuwait with U.K. Foreign Secretary David
Miliband, he told me the Iran Six intends to send us a letter [with
proposals to settle the Iranian nuclear problem] after the May 2 London
meeting," Manouchehr Mottaki told journalists.
"I told him in response: you know very well which word is forbidden in
Iran. Be careful in your proposals to avoid crossing the forbidden
line," he said without specifying what he meant.
Local observers say Mottaki meant to say that "suspension" by Iran of
uranium enrichment was that "forbidden word", so he made it clear that
Tehran will reject any initiatives if they contain a demand for Iranian
authorities to impose a moratorium on enrichment.
Mottaki also said Iran will soon familiarize all interested sides with
its own "package of proposals" to resolve international problems.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Saturday new sanctions
against Iran had not been discussed at the regular round of six-nation
talks on Iran’s controversial nuclear program in London on Friday.
"There was no talk about new sanctions, although our American
colleagues believe that pressure on Iran should be preserved," he told
journalists.
Miliband said Friday the world powers engaged in the long-running
dispute with Iran have agreed to make a new proposal of incentives to
Tehran to halt its nuclear programs.
The U.S., Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany proposed to Tehran
in June 2006 cooperation in civilian nuclear technology, trade and
other spheres in a bid to persuade Tehran to give up uranium enrichment
and resume talks with the Iran Six group of negotiators.
"I am glad to say that we have got agreement on an offer that will be
made to the government of Iran," Miliband said.
The Western nations suspect Iran of seeking to build nuclear weapons
under the cover of a civilian nuclear program. Tehran insists in needs
uranium enrichment technology to generate electricity.
The Islamic Republic has rejected the 2006 incentives. It has also
defied three rounds of relatively mild UN Security Council sanctions
imposed over its refusal to halt nuclear-related activities.
Miliband did not reveal details of the new offer, but said it
symbolized a new approach to Iran, adding that the rights sought by
Iran "need to be accompanied by a clear set of responsibilities."
He also said the five permanent UN Security Council members and Germany
continued to insist that Tehran suspend uranium enrichment, the
technology that posed a serious security threat to the region.