Home / International / World Tools: Save | Print | E-mail | Most Read | Comment
Iran Vows to Keep on Nuclear Program
Adjust font size:

Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani said on Thursday that the country would continue its disputed nuclear activities, promising to respond to the six-nation package aimed at resolving the current standoff on Aug. 22.

"We have adopted a scheme to generate 20,000 megawatts of atomic energy over the next 20 years, Iran determined to depend on itself to make some nuclear fuel inside the country," Larijani said in a statement read by the state-run television.

Meanwhile, the top official warned the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) against taking compulsive measures to force Iran to suspend nuclear works.

"We are ready to find a diplomatic solution for the two sides, and we are serious in this path, they (the UNSC) should choose a track of dialogue, but if they choose confrontation and want to restrict and threaten the legal right of the Iranian people, Iran will have no choice but to revise its current policy," said Larijani in the statement.

"Iran is not after tension, but if others push things toward tension and create problems, then all will face problems," he added.

Larijani also promised Iran would formally respond six-nation package on Aug. 22.

"Iran welcome the package of proposals, but it demands a logical time to be examined, we have determined to declare (our) views on Aug. 22," he said.

Echoing with Larijani's comments of "revising policy", a top Iranian lawmaker also said on Thursday that the Majlis (Iran's parliament) was ready to debate withdrawal from the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) if the Security Council adopts a resolution demanding a suspension of Iran's nuclear activities.

On June 6, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana presented Iran with a package agreed on by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany concerning the Iranian nuclear issue.

The proposal includes both incentives aimed at persuading Iran to suspend uranium enrichment and possible sanctions if Iran does not comply.

Western countries have been pressing Tehran to respond to the six-nation package before Saturday, but Iran has rejected the request.

The six countries agreed on last Wednesday to return Iran's nuclear issue to the UN Security Council.

The move drew a strong reaction from the Iranian government. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned last Thursday that his country would revise cooperation with IAEA and may quit the NPT if the West is not sincere on the nuclear issue.

The United States and European countries claim that Iran is using its civilian nuclear program as a cover to produce nuclear weapons.

Tehran has repeatedly denied the charge, saying its nuclear program is merely to generate electricity, not bombs.

(Xinhua News Agency July 21, 2006)

Tools: Save | Print | E-mail | Most Read
Comment
Pet Name
Anonymous
China Archives
Related >>
- Iran Remains Mum on Int'l Nuclear Proposals
- Iran: 'We Need More Time to Study Nuclear Deal'
- Iran Nuclear Issue to Be Returned to UN Security Council
- Iran Defiant After Case Goes Back to UN
- UN Reveals Details of Incentives Offered to Iran
- G8 Urges Iran to Respond Positively to Nuclear Proposals
- EU Disappointed at Iran's Refusal to Respond Positively to Nuclear Offer
- Six World Powers Meet over Iran Nuclear Issue
Most Viewed >>
> Korean Nuclear Talks
> Reconstruction of Iraq
> Middle East Peace Process
> Iran Nuclear Issue
> 6th SCO Summit Meeting
Links
- China Development Gateway
- Foreign Ministry
- Network of East Asian Think-Tanks
- China-EU Association
- China-Africa Business Council
- China Foreign Affairs University
- University of International Relations
- Institute of World Economics & Politics
- Institute of Russian, East European & Central Asian Studies
- Institute of West Asian & African Studies
- Institute of Latin American Studies
- Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies
- Institute of Japanese Studies