New round of talks on Iran's nuclear aims
Moscow and Tehran are displaying optimism officially, but many claim Iran is only playing for time while seeking to create an Islamic front.
Moscow (AsiaNews) There is official "optimism" about possibilities of an agreement between Iran and Russia in the controversy about enrichment of nuclear energy, despite some who claim Tehran's desire for the atomic bomb is unstoppable.
Today, both parties expressed confidence. "I believe a compromise which does not allow violations of the non-proliferation treaty is possible," said Sergei Lavrov, Russia's Foreign Affairs Minister, from Budapest. "What is necessary for Iran is that it returns to the moratorium, and accepts the proposal of a joint venture as a package which is supported by members of the Council of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency. This does not mean it is already decided."
From Tokyo, the Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister, Manouchehr Mottaki, confirmed his country's "flexibility" to reach agreement. Mottaki, who is winding up a three-day visit, said: "Iran is flexible in the method for implementation of the project but will never give up its right." But "uranium enrichment is a national issue for the Iranian people," he added. ""On the one hand that's a right for us and on the other hand there is concern on the issue; Iran is ready to bridge the two."
But as is always the case with Tehran's approach, alongside declarations of availability, there were also statements that the right to "pacific" nuclear stations cannot be renounced. Already on his arrival to Moscow, the head of the Iranian delegation, Ali Larijani, turned down Lavrov's idea about a moratorium on uranium enrichment. "A moratorium is necessary when there is a danger, but all our activities are transparent," he said.
This statement reinforces the views of those who consider negotiations with Moscow as a means used by Tehran to draw out the issue, while it pursues frenetic diplomatic activity. This activity is aimed on the one hand at reassurance Mottaki in Japan and on the other at creating an Islamic solidarity front. And this is particularly the aim of President Mahmud Ahmadinejad who, after a visit on Monday to Kuwait, is now for three days in Malaysia, which currently holds the chairmanship of the Organisation of Islamic Conferences (OIC), which has 57 member states. And as the meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency draws near it will meet on 6 March to look into the possible referral of Iran to the Security Council Mottaki has criticized this proposal, saying the Security Council cannot be used as the tool of a few countries. "Gone is the era of force".
As for the West's concerns, the minister asked: "But what a sort of guarantee might there be that we will have sufficient fuel in future; therefore, we should ourselves find a way for it."
.png)
