Khaza’ie: Agency should try more to push forth nuclear cooperation

United Nations, Nov 3, IRNA – Iran’s Permanent Ambassador to UN Mohammad Khaza’ie said here Monday at UN General Assembly IAEA should spend greater efforts to push forth nuclear cooperation.

He said, “During the course of the nuclear renaissance, when taking advantage of the nuclear energy has become a part of the policies and demands of the majority of world nations, the International Atomic Energy Agency, as the only legitimate international agency in this field, shoulders the main responsibility in assisting the member countries of the NPT to take peaceful advantage of this energy.”
The Iranian envoy to UN reiterated, “The agency, in accordance with this responsibility, should spend greater efforts aimed at implementing joint nuclear cooperation agreements and for offering technical assistance to developing countries.”
Khaza’ie expressed serious concern and dissatisfaction over the fact that this duty is pursued much slower than the other aspects of the agency’s duties, arguing, “The reason why it is so is the selective behavior of certain western countries towards the IAEA.”
He reiterated, “These countries have been trying during the course of the past decade to turn the agency into a one dimensional body, merely commissioned to inspect and guard.”
Iran’s representative at the UN who was declaring the Islamic Republic of Iran’s stands on the occasion of the agency’s annual report of its activities to the UN, added, “Iran attaches importance to truth testing activities of the agency, but implementing this part of the IAEA tasks needs to be based on the articles of the NPT and the Latter of Association of the agency, blocking the path for taking political advantage of the measure.”
Pointing out the right of the entire nations to take peaceful advantage of the nuclear energy, Khaza’ie emphasized, “The objectives of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s nuclear program have entirely been peaceful, and they would continue to be so.”
He added, “As we see, today, in accordance with the IAEA report, and in line with replacing the usage of oil with other energies, Iran’s neighbors are after taking advantage of the nuclear energy, and the western countries that once believed a country with oil reserves doe not need the nuclear energy, have come up with the conclusion today that they should cooperate with some oil rich Persian Gulf littoral countries.”
Criticizing the double standards adopted by come western countries in dealing with Iran’s peaceful program, the Iranian ambassador reiterated, “These countries have done so while being urged under Article 4 of the NPT to offer technical and scientific assistance as well as facilities to NPT member countries, but they have not only ignored heeding their responsibilities, but also been engaged in cooperation with Israel that has no commitment towards the NPT.”
The outgoing IAEA Chief Muhamed ElBaradei in his last presence at the UN at that capacity, presented a report at the beginning of the Monday session of the UN General Assembly on activities of the member countries, after which some UN members presented their ideas about the agency and its activities.

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