- Title: IRAN: Tehran to start nuclear talks with world powers next month
- Date: 15th September 2009
- Summary: TEHRAN, IRAN (SEPTEMBER 14, 2009) (REUTERS) IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER SPOKESMAN HASSAN QASHQAVI WEEKLY NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS REPORTERS TAKING NOTES (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN HASSAN QASHQAVI SAYING: "The nation of Iran will not discuss what is its given right -- nuclear technology." CAMERAMEN (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN HASSAN QASHQAVI SAYING: "Whether it is the question of global security, whether it is a question of technologival progress, whether it is the question of a nuclear world, as I mentioned before, the slogan should remain: nuclear energy for everyone, nuclear weapons for no one." REPORTERS AND CAMERAMEN NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS
- Embargoed: 30th September 2009 13:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: International Relations
- Reuters ID: LVA1VYOUV2MNUDCXVCNPMH1BACBA
- Story Text: Iran and world powers attempting to resolve a dispute over Tehran's nuclear programme will start talks in early October, state-run Press TV reported on Monday (September 14).
Iran's ISNA news agency said European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana and Iranian chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili had agreed to meet on Oct. 1, but that the venue had yet to be decided.
The news came as Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Hassan Qashqvi told reporters Tehran would not make concessions over its right to use nuclear power for civilian use.
"The nation of Iran will not discuss what is its given right -- nuclear technology," he said at a briefing.
Iran last week handed over a package of proposals to the world powers, including the United States, in which Tehran said it was willing to discuss global nuclear disarmament as well as other international issues in wide-ranging talks.
But the document did not mention Iran's own nuclear programme, which the West suspects is aimed at making bombs, and officials have made clear it will not be part of any such discussions.
The foreign ministry spokesman reiterated the Islamic Republic has repeatedly said its nuclear programme is for civil energy uses, not weapons.
"Whether it is the question of global security, whether it is a question of technological progress, whether it is the question of a nuclear world, as I mentioned before, the slogan should remain: nuclear energy for everyone, nuclear weapons for no one," Qashqavi said.
The United States has said it will accept Iran's offer of talks despite Tehran's stated refusal to discuss its nuclear work, making clear it intended to raise the issue anyway.
U.S. President Barack Obama, who came to office pledging a policy of engagement toward Iran, has suggested it may face harsher international sanctions if it does not accept good-faith talks by the end of September.
Turkey's foreign minister said during a visit to Tehran on Sunday his country would be prepared to host talks between Iran and the world powers, Iran's official news agency IRNA reported.
The six powers -- the permanent U.N. Security Council members Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States, as well as Germany -- offered Iran trade and diplomatic incentives in 2006 in exchange for a halt to uranium enrichment.
They improved the offer last year but retained the suspension demand, something Tehran has repeatedly ruled out as a precondition. Refined uranium can be used as fuel for nuclear power plants but also provide material for bombs. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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