Envoy: Iran to Expand IAEA Ties

Source: Alalam.ir, 25-7-2008
VIENNA--Iran's chief delegate to the International Atomic Energy Agency said Friday that the Islamic republic wants to broaden its cooperation with the atomic agency but only as a technical body, not a "UN watchdog'' looking for signs of alleged secret nuclear programs.
Ali Ashgar Soltanieh told The Associated Press that "instead of cutting back on cooperation, Tehran wants to increase cooperation," brushing aside speculations that Tehran was reducing contacts with the IAEA.
The Iranian envoy noted that a meeting between Iranian Vice President Gholam Reza Aghazadeh and IAEA head Mohamed ElBaradei on Thursday focused on "the promotion of cooperation with the IAEA."
After meeting with ElBaradei, Aghazadeh argued that investigating any allegations regarding Iran's secret nuclear activities "is outside the domain of the agency,''.
He added any further queries on the issue "will be dealt with in another way," making himself clear that the comments did not mean that his country was reducing its IAEA ties.
"We will continue our cooperation with the agency in accordance with our legal obligations,'' he said.
But he questioned the right of the IAEA to push Iran for answers on the allegations "fabricated and forged ... by the United States.'' Such a probe was "beyond the domain of the IAEA,'' he said.
"The agency is not a UN watchdog,'' said Soltanieh, suggesting it should concentrate on technical matters.
Elsewhere in his meeting with ElBaradei, Aghazadeh said that he was hopeful negotiations on Iran's nuclear program could start based on proposals made by the six powers and Iran at recent talks in Geneva.
"Both sides have received the messages of the other side and are carefully studying the concerns and expectations of both sides."
"I am very hopeful that the negotiations will be started in a framework of both sides being fully committed to the expectations that are already there," Aghazadeh added.
Aghazadeh told reporters in Vienna that talks between Iran and the six powers -- the US, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany -- would also help resolve a range of issues from the Middle East tensions to rising oil prices.
Iran, which is suffering several hours of electricity cuts in many cities this summer, says it needs the nuclear program for generating electricity, so it can tackle the rising energy demand in the country and export more oil and gas.