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Iran ends voluntary cooperation on nukes
(AP)
Updated: 2006-02-06 06:45
Iran repeatedly has stressed it would continue to honor its commitments under
the treaty but that it has the right to pursue a peaceful nuclear program.
"Adoption of the policy of resistance doesn't mean we are on non-speaking
terms or noncooperative," Mottaki said. "Yesterday we had two options. One was
the option of resistance and the other was surrender. We chose resistance."
"Our activities will continue within the NPT (and not beyond that)," he told
a press conference. "We have withdrawn only the possibility of voluntary
cooperation from them (IAEA and the West)."
Mottaki said the IAEA resolution was "the result of a political will based on
U.S. hostility" toward Iran.
He said Iran would defend its right to possess nuclear technology and enrich
uranium to produce nuclear fuel.
"We will continue this path," he told reporters.
The IAEA resolution requests the agency's Director General Mohamed ElBaradei
to "report to the Security Council" with the steps Iran needs to take to dispel
suspicions about its nuclear ambitions.
These include that it return to freezing uranium enrichment; consider
stopping construction of a heavy-water reactor that could be the source of
plutonium; formally ratify the agreement allowing the IAEA greater inspecting
authority; and give the agency more power in its investigation of Iran's nuclear
program.
Tensions were likely to rise as Iran rejects pressure from the outside. It
started escalating last month after Iran removed U.N. seals and began nuclear
research, including small-scale uranium enrichment.
That came after months of futile talks between Iran and Britain, Germany and
France, which negotiated on behalf of the 25-nation European Union.
Asefi said Iranian diplomats still will attend Feb. 16 talks in Moscow
concerning Russia's enrichment proposal.
"The proposal has to conform itself with the new circumstances," Asefi said
Sunday. "If the Russian proposal makes itself compatible with the new
conditions, it can be negotiated."
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