ID :
94545
Sat, 12/12/2009 - 02:37
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/94545
The shortlink copeid
Iran seeks serious, transparent nuclear talks
TEHRAN, Dec. 11 (MNA) -- Expediency Council Chairman Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani says Iran is seeking “serious and transparent” talks with the West about its nuclear program in order to build mutual confidence.
But threatening to impose sanctions on Tehran over its nuclear program is the wrong course of action for the West to take, the former Iranian president told Lebanon’s Al-Manar television in an interview aired on Thursday.
In pursuing a policy of threats toward Iran, the West is making a mistake, he asserted.
The Islamic Republic does not seek nuclear weapons, “but it will never give up its efforts to gain access to nuclear energy meant for peaceful purposes,” he added.
“Tehran is ready for dialogue, and the talks must take place in a serious way to establish an atmosphere of confidence,” he stated.
The EC chairman said Iran will make serious efforts to prove that its nuclear activities are peaceful. “We will do everything (we can) to show our goodwill to the world.”
Rafsanjani, who is also the chairman of the Assembly of Experts, criticized the West for adopting a carrot and stick policy toward Tehran, saying they should abandon this approach.
He also censured Western countries for reneging on contracts to provide nuclear assistance to Iran, saying Tehran does not want them to give promises they do not plan to keep.
“We do not want them to give empty promises and implement none of them. We seek serious and transparent talks, and through negotiations Iran will prove its goodwill and create an environment of confidence.”
The EC chairman told the Hezbollah TV network that Iran will continue its nuclear program and at a certain time will accelerate its activities.
However, certain Western countries have “openly” announced that they are trying to deprive Iran of its right to nuclear technology for the production of nuclear fuel, he added.
Rafsanjani said Iran has decided to build more uranium enrichment plants to meet the country’s future energy needs because the oil reserves will run out in the coming years and Iran must gain access to alternative sources of energy.
Even though the West wields much influence over the UN Security Council and the IAEA, such that it can use these bodies to pressure Iran, Tehran will not forgo its right to use nuclear technology as an alternative energy source for future generations, he added.
“They dominate the Security Council and the International Atomic Energy Agency and issue resolutions against us… but it will never weaken our will” to gain complete access to nuclear technology, “because in our view, nuclear energy is a strategic issue, and we will never relinquish it,” he stated.
But threatening to impose sanctions on Tehran over its nuclear program is the wrong course of action for the West to take, the former Iranian president told Lebanon’s Al-Manar television in an interview aired on Thursday.
In pursuing a policy of threats toward Iran, the West is making a mistake, he asserted.
The Islamic Republic does not seek nuclear weapons, “but it will never give up its efforts to gain access to nuclear energy meant for peaceful purposes,” he added.
“Tehran is ready for dialogue, and the talks must take place in a serious way to establish an atmosphere of confidence,” he stated.
The EC chairman said Iran will make serious efforts to prove that its nuclear activities are peaceful. “We will do everything (we can) to show our goodwill to the world.”
Rafsanjani, who is also the chairman of the Assembly of Experts, criticized the West for adopting a carrot and stick policy toward Tehran, saying they should abandon this approach.
He also censured Western countries for reneging on contracts to provide nuclear assistance to Iran, saying Tehran does not want them to give promises they do not plan to keep.
“We do not want them to give empty promises and implement none of them. We seek serious and transparent talks, and through negotiations Iran will prove its goodwill and create an environment of confidence.”
The EC chairman told the Hezbollah TV network that Iran will continue its nuclear program and at a certain time will accelerate its activities.
However, certain Western countries have “openly” announced that they are trying to deprive Iran of its right to nuclear technology for the production of nuclear fuel, he added.
Rafsanjani said Iran has decided to build more uranium enrichment plants to meet the country’s future energy needs because the oil reserves will run out in the coming years and Iran must gain access to alternative sources of energy.
Even though the West wields much influence over the UN Security Council and the IAEA, such that it can use these bodies to pressure Iran, Tehran will not forgo its right to use nuclear technology as an alternative energy source for future generations, he added.
“They dominate the Security Council and the International Atomic Energy Agency and issue resolutions against us… but it will never weaken our will” to gain complete access to nuclear technology, “because in our view, nuclear energy is a strategic issue, and we will never relinquish it,” he stated.
