- Title: IRAN/AUSTRIA: Iran says suspending atomic work unacceptable
- Date: 23rd February 2007
- Summary: (W4)VIENNA,AUSTRIA (FEBRUARY 22, 2007) (REUTERS) (NIGHT SCENES) IRANIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE IAEA ALI ASGHAR SOHANIAH IN CAR (SOUNDBITE) (English) IRANIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE IAEA ALI ASGHAR SOHANIAH SAYING: "Yes this report is the best document proving that all activities of Iran have been exclusively for peaceful purposes. In this report it says that there is no indication of diversion for military purposes and all nuclear material has been accounted for. This is not a document from Iran, this is a document form the most pertinent international organisation, namely IAEA,and therefore in this report everybody in the whole world should know that Iran is fully cooperating with the IAEA, with the inspectors, and now I am talking to you at this moment inspectors are in enriching facilities in Iran, therefore we are fully cooperating with IAEA and we are suggesting to the whole world to put pressure on those who are not coming to the negotiating table to come to the negotiating table and let's solve the problem by dialogue and negotiation rather than the sanctions and resolutions or confrontation. Thank you very much." CAR DRIVING AWAY
- Embargoed: 10th March 2007 12:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: International Relations,Energy
- Reuters ID: LVACY3FBI8HSQLFMWYLW618W7HDJ
- Story Text: Iranian ambassador to the IAEA Ali Asghar Sohaniah said in Vienna on Thursday (February 22) that the IAEA report "is the best document proving that all activities of Iran have been exclusively for peaceful purposes...in this report everybody in the whole world should know that Iran is fully cooperating with the IAEA, with the inspectors."
He said inspectors were at that very moment in enriching facilities in Iran. "Therefore we are fully cooperating with IAEA and we are suggesting to the whole world to put pressure on those who are not coming to the negotiating table to come to the negotiating table."
The International Atomic Energy Agency said on Thursday Iran had failed to meet a February 21 deadline to halt enrichment, which can make fuel for power plants or material for warheads.
Its refusal to heed the demand exposes Iran to possible new sanctions, in addition to those imposed in December.
Iran has said it wants to negotiate with the Europeans, led by Germany, and even the United States but has refused to halt its nuclear enrichment program as a precondition. Tehran contends that its programme is for peaceful energy uses only.
People on the streets of Tehran said Iran had a right to develop nuclear energy.
Reza Taghavi said: "In my opinion, nuclear energy is every country's right. If the other countries can have it, why should we not use this technology?" Behrouz Rezaei said: "I as an Iranian, I say that nuclear technology is our right and we should have this energy." Hamid Rahmani said: "Nuclear technology is the Iranian nation's right and we should use it. Why are they (Westerners) putting pressure on us to abandon our right?" - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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