Statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran
IN the course of the past two and a half years, the Islamic Republic
of Iran has made the greatest efforts for expanded cooperation with the
International Atomic Energy Agency.
Nevertheless, the five nuclear Permanent Members of the Security
Council issued a statement which is totally political and contrary to
the recognized international rules and regulations.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has fully complied with the provisions
of the NPT, has voluntarily implemented the Additional Protocol and
accepted inspections, and has taken measures beyond the requirements of
the Additional Protocol for the sake of removing misunderstandings,
utmost cooperation, transparency, and building confidence.
While the path to negotiations is still open and there are yet
substantial opportunities for finding a rational solution, political
motives can make the situation even more difficult and complicated.
It is of utmost regret that states that lay claim to civilization are
using the threat of referral to the Security Council against a nation
merely on grounds of "research and development".
It is also totally amazing that while all nuclear activities of the
Islamic Republic of Iran are under the inspection of the Agency on a
voluntary basis and the Agency has the possibility for the maximum
inspections of our facilities, some governments try to bring to an end
this arrangement and the voluntary actions of the Islamic Republic of
Iran.
This action confronts the Government in Iran with a serious legal
obstacle, since there is a binding resolution, ratified by the Islamic
Consultative Assembly, that leaves no choice for the Government but to
stop its voluntary cooperation. This statement has no legal basis and
violates the provisions of NPT and the statute of IAEA.
These actions will bring nothing but loss of credibility for the
Agency and weakening of the standing of the international treaties and
bodies, and those behind such actions must accept the consequences.
The commanding and arrogant tone of the statement violates the
professional and legal independence of the Agency.
It also undermines the rights of the member states of NPT, the Board
of Governors and even other members of the Security Council, and
demonstrates that a closed club of few members from the powerful
countries manage the affairs of our world against the desire and the
will of nations, governments and the international community.
It is regrettable that nuclear-weapon states with the largest
arsenals of nuclear weapons, instead of trying to build international
confidence through implementing their nuclear disarmament obligation
under NPT, are developing new and more sophisticated types of nuclear
weapons and openly threaten to use them against non-nuclear States.
They intend to hold on to their monopoly of nuclear know-how and
technology and deprive other nations of their legal rights to peaceful
use of nuclear technology. Their conduct has given rise to a wave of
mistrust in the international community towards their real intentions.
They need to act and take constructive and practical measures to
build confidence and trust in the international community.
In our opinion, resolving differences of views and being able to
answer the questions regarding the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear
activities is only possible in a cooperative atmosphere free from
pressure and intimidation and through dialogue.
We can still tread on the path of building confidence by using
constructive approaches and though greater understanding.
These threats will not have the slightest impact on the resolve of
the people and the Government of Iran to pursue and exercise its
legitimate rights under NPT.
Involving the Security Council in Iran's peaceful nuclear program is
the beginning of a process which definitely its continuation or
termination will not be in the hands of those initiated. |