IRAN: Nuclear energy chief of Iran says the Islamic Republic's will not discuss nuclear "rights" in Geneva

Record ID: 313733

  • Title: IRAN: Nuclear energy chief of Iran says the Islamic Republic's will not discuss nuclear "rights" in Geneva
  • Date: 30th September 2009
  • Summary: TEHRAN, IRAN (SEPTEMBER 30, 2009) (REUTERS) HEAD OF IRAN'S ATOMIC ENERGY ORGANIZATION ALI AKBAR SALEHI ENTERING IN NEWS CONFERENCE HALLA REPORTERS TAKING NOTES (SOUNDBITE) (English) HEAD OF IRAN'S ATOMIC ENERGY ORGANIZATION ALI AKBAR SALEHI, SAYING "Speaking in general terms about disarmament about non proliferation which all are concerned about nuclear things, about nuclear technology, about peaceful nuclear technology, about technical co-operation, about all these things we are open to discussion. We will not discuss our sovereign rights. This is what we want to emphasise." SALEHI LEAVING NEWS CONFERENCE HALL
  • Embargoed: 15th October 2009 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: International Relations,Energy
  • Reuters ID: LVA700S6UQAKUJS8AOXCW5NOBZG7
  • Story Text: Iran will not discuss any issues related to its nuclear "rights" at Thursday's meeting in Geneva with six world powers, its nuclear energy agency chief said.
    Ali Akbar Salehi, head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation, made clear on Tuesday this included a newly disclosed uranium enrichment plant which has drawn Western condemnation.
    His comments seemed certain to disappoint the United States which has called on Iran to come clean about its nuclear programme, which the West suspects is aimed at making bombs. Tehran insists it needs the technology to generate power.
    "Speaking in general terms about disarmament about non proliferation which all are concerned about nuclear things, about nuclear technology, about peaceful nuclear technology, about technical co-operation, about all these things we are open to discussion. We will not discuss our sovereign rights. This is what we want to emphasise," Salehi told a news conference.
    The United States and its Western allies have made clear they will focus on Iran's nuclear programme at the Geneva meeting. Iran has offered wide-ranging security talks.
    Salehi was earlier quoted as saying that Iran would soon inform the U.N. nuclear watchdog of a timetable for inspection of the new plant, its second uranium enrichment facility.
    Last week's news of the facility, under construction south of Tehran, added urgency to this week's rare meeting in Switzerland. Iran's missile tests on Sunday and Monday have further fuelled tension with Western powers.
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