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No change in Iran's N-policy
Mon, 29 Oct 2007 03:03:01
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The following is the full text of a press conference with Mohammad Ali Hosseini, Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman
Q. Who will head Iran's nuclear negotiation team during the next round of talks?
A. Mr. (Saeed) Jalili heads the Iranian delegation in nuclear negotiations and he will hold the post in the future talks.
Q Some European officials argue that the presence of two negotiators in the nuclear talks could further complicate the situation. What do you think?
A. The recent round of talks, in which (Iran's former top nuclear negotiator Ali) Larijani and Jalili participated, was positive and constructive. The fact reflects that there is no change in Iran's nuclear stance. Dr. Jalili will pursue the future nuclear talks.
Q. Iran's new Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Dr. Jalili, prior to his visit to Rome, said that he was determined to pursue Dr. Larijani's policies. Does this mean that the talks with EU Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana would cover other issues other than the nuclear case?
A. The negotiations will continue based on the previous policies. Other issues, including cooperation with the European Union, would also be on the agenda.
Q. What are your views about Mr. Jalili as Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council and the continuation of talks with Solana? Does the Foreign Ministry believe he is qualified for the job?
A. Given Jalili's academic and diplomatic background and his creative management and his personality, it is clear that he was one of the best choices to fill the position. Keeping in mind his background, experience and merits, the logical process of talks on Iran's nuclear dossier would be continued within a legal and technical framework. The trend proves that the propaganda by the neoconservatives and Zionist's media has been a futile attempt to undermine the process.
Q. Keeping in mind the recent reshuffles in the Foreign Ministry, should we expect more changes in the Ministry?
A. It is possible. Such reshuffles in the Foreign Ministry are normal. The Ministry is also undergoing some structural reforms which would necessitate new appointments. For example the Department of Europe and Americas is being divided into two separate departments. The Department of Arab and African affairs is also being divided into the Department of Arab States and the Neighboring Countries' Affairs and the Department of African Affairs.
Q. Some reports say that Deputy Foreign Minister Dr. Abbas Araqchi has denied his appointment as Iran's ambassador to Japan. What is Mr. Araqchi's position in the future?
A. Dr. Araghchi has been appointed as new Iranian Ambassador to Japan. What he has denied is the rumors of his resignation as Deputy Foreign Minister for International Affairs.
Q. Does Mr. Sheikh Attar, who has recently been appointed as acting Foreign Minister, will hold his post as Deputy FM for Economic Affairs?
A. Director General of the Department for Multilateral Economic Cooperation Mr. Mir Abu Talebi, has temporarily been appointed as caretaker Deputy FM for Economic Affairs.
Q. Why has not Iran appointed his new Ambassador to Portugal, while the country is a significant one among EU members and holds the EU presidency?
A. The new ambassador has been appointed and he will be sent to the country following due administrative procedures.
Q. Could you please provide us with the latest information on the five Iranian diplomats detained by US forces in Irbil?
A. Despite efforts by the Iranian Embassy in Baghdad and Iraqi officials, unfortunately the Americans are still hampering the process to secure their release. The US explicitly violates the international diplomatic and Human Rights conventions. The Red Cross has announced that the families of the detainees would be able to travel to Baghdad on November 20-21 or November 25-26 to visit them.
Q. President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said last week that Tehran will soon start a new round of diplomatic efforts. What did he mean by these remarks?
A. In the course of most of the visits by Iranian officials to foreign countries, they make extensive moves. The Islamic Republic of Iran has always been an active member of the international communities. It has always explained its stance and the country's viewpoints have drawn the attention of the regional countries and international organizations. Through these diplomatic efforts, Iranian officials have been seeking to prove Iran's righteousness and explain its stance. We have reached a point where we should have a constructive effect on the world's developments, the establishment of peace and security and preserving the dignity of humanity.
Q. the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia has once again referred to the islands of Greater and Lesser Tunbs and Abu Musa as three Arabian islands. Given the friendly ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia, how do you interpret these unfriendly remarks?
A. The status of the Iranian islands is legally clarified and it does not need further explanation. Such remarks would not change the reality of Iran's sovereignty over the islands. The Islamic Republic of Iran has good relations with the United Arab Emirates.
We hope that other countries' officials would be more cautious about their remarks in the future.
Q. Some reports published last week said that eight infrastructural projects sponsored by the World Bank are to be implemented in Iran, however, the American President of the World Bank has denied such reports, saying that the bank has had no new project in Iran since 2005. He has said that the projects regarding environmental issues and the reconstruction of earthquake-stricken regions are started before that date. He further stressed that the bank has no plans for future activities in Iran. Please elaborate on the subject.
A. The World Bank's cooperation with various countries is based on a document known as CAS (Country Assistance Strategy). These documents are written every three years by the bank and the hosting country, outlining the new framework of cooperation. The banks approval of Iran's CAS has been delayed for 2 years. In line with this, the Governor of Iran's Central Bank and the Economy Minister traveled to the US to attend the annual meeting of the bank and discuss the CAS. We hope that their efforts would lead to the ratification of that CAS, and that the implementation of humanitarian projects by the world body would not be influenced by certain powers. Of course, we can put some of the blame for the delay on the dismissal of Paul Wolfowitz, who had to resign following the disclosure of a corruption case.
Q. During the past few days the media reported that agreements have been reached on the exchange of Israeli pilot Ron Arad who disappeared in Lebanon for the four abducted Iranian diplomats; do you confirm the reports.
A. Iran's Foreign Ministry is vigorously pursuing the freedom of the four diplomats through diplomatic channels. We thank Hezbollah for raising the issue of their freedom. We hold the Zionist Regime responsible for their missing and urge international organizations to exert pressure on the regime to disclose their whereabouts and put and end to the suffering of their families.
Q. Al-Hayat Newspaper has announced that a special French envoy is to visit Iran. Please elaborate on the visit and its goals.
A. In a bid to resolve Lebanon's crisis, the Islamic Republic and France have had cooperation, however, no agenda has been set yet for the visit.
Q. Please give more details about the fate of a Japanese student who was abducted in southeastern Iran.
A. serious efforts are underway to secure his release. The Japanese hostage is possibly in the border regions. But we are sure that he is in good health.
Q. According to recent reports, IAEA Deputy Director-General Olli Heinonen and Mr Vaeedi (Deputy Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council), are holding a third round of talks on Monday following the previous negotiations on the P1 - P2 centrifuges, do you confirm this?
A. yes.
Q. According to a news web site, a top Iraqi security official in Basra has revealed that the activities of US spy aircraft and balloons have been increased on Iran's southern border and the number of US flights near Shalamcheh has risen . The report alleges the activities are aimed at gathering intelligence on Iran's missile sites. US officials, however, claim the recent activities are aimed at tackling arms smuggling from Iran. What do you think?
A. If so, the occupation forces are violating international laws and Iran's sovereignty. It is obvious that our military forces are prepared to confront any possible threat; on the other hand, we believe that, given the friendly ties between Iran and Iraq, the Iraqi governments will not allow the country's soil to be used as a base for espionage operations against neighboring countries.
CS/SBB/RE
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