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Q: What is your evaluation of the meeting held on Thursday between the diplomatic delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the European delegation? From what angel Iran views the Europe's proposal? Will Iran accept suspension of uranium enrichment?

My second question is about the visit to be paid by Russian president, Vladimir Putin, to Tehran. It is said that Mr Putin will bring to Tehran a plan on nuclear ambiguities and will act as a mediator. What is your view in this regard?

Dr Assefi: Agreements have been reached on the generalities of Mr Putin's visit to Tehran , and it has been accepted in principle that the visit would take place, but no exact date has yet been fixed for it. It is natural that when the date of the visit becomes definite, then we can speak on your other questions in this context. But up to now no definite date has been fixed for the visit.

Our talks in Vienna were frank, but friendly. We evaluate the Europeans' proposals as preliminary and not final ones. Their proposals are unbalanced, but however, the channel of negotiation is a correct way that the Europe has selected and now we are on a right path with the Europe, ie entering into negotiations. We think we should reach a solution satisfactory for both sides, in a manner that it removes the Europeans` concerns, if there is any, and recognizes our rights in the framework of NPT and secure them. Therefore the legitimate rights of the Islamic Republic of Iran should definitely be observed and their legitimacy should be recognized.

The talks will be continued on Wednesday. We will offer our own proposals. We have surveyed the Europeans` proposals. The surveys are continuing and we will offer our own proposals to the Europeans. The other point is that the Europeans should assure us about what they say; that they are committed to their promises and can implement them.

Q: If the international community recognizes Iran`s right for making use of nuclear technology, will Iran suspend permanently uranium suspension? As regards the visit to be paid by Dr Kharrazi to Kuwait, can the said country play an effective role vis-a -vis the issue of Iran`s nuclear dossier; given that Kuwait has good relations with some of the parties involved in this issue?

Dr Assefi: There is not at all any question of permanent suspension. In the Europeans` statement and in their proposals also They have spoken of indefinite suspension of uranium enrichment till the two parties reach an agreement. It means that in the very proposal of the Europeans, suspension of uranium enrichment has been restricted up to the time that we may reach an agreement. Therefore the Europeans themselves also didn`t announce to us that they are after permanent suspension. Such a demand naturally will not be accepted by the Islamic Republic of Iran.

In this context the measure we adopted at the beginning was voluntary suspension of uranium enrichment on the basis of dialogue for confidence- building. Therefore there is no question of permanent suspension in our talks, but suspension until the time we reach an agreement.

Concerning your second question I should say that naturally Kuwait has good relations with us. It can play an effective role in the Agency (IAEA) and other places. Of course top on the agenda of talks during Dr Kharrazi`s visit to Kuwait is regional crisis and the developments in Iraq and Palestine. It is natural that if the countries want to defend Iran`s rights for making peaceful use of nuclear technology, and support these rights, we welcome it. This is something that many countries have announced.

Q: With regard to the fact that the three European countries (France, Britain and Germany) are not the ultimate determining factors in the issue of Iran`s nuclear dossier; has Iran taken into consideration any other solution?

Dr Assefi: Every country has its own role and influence. The three European countries, other members of the Non-Aligned movement, other Islamic countries, all have their own influence and status. We have consulted with all these countries and continue to do so. Besides the three European countries we have had talks with other countries of Europe. The Islamic Republic of Iran has tried its best to make use of diplomatic capacity, of diplomatic possibilities, and continue to do so in the future. We have not restricted our talks to three countries. We have consulted with many of the countries, those who are influential, and we will continue this in the future.

Q: We are in receipt of a series of news indicting that Britain is exploiting the joint oil wells between Iran and Iraq in the southern borders. What is your view in this regard?

Mr Mousavian, during an interview, has evaluated Europe`s proposal based on sending fuel (to Iran), as positive. Can this be indicative of favorable view of the Islamic Republic Iran to the proposals made by the Europeans? When will be the date of Mr Rowhani's visit to Italy?

Dr Assefi: The date for Mr Rowhani`s visit to Italy should be set. The visit has been postponed and the date of the visit should be set through diplomatic channels.

Concerning the issue that Britain is exploiting the joint oil wells, I should say that it is a new thing which I have not heard about and I have no about it. Giving fuel to Iran is positive, but that does not mean that it is enough, ie we do not suffice to be involved only in taking fuel, but we should also examine other possibilities.

Q: Mrs. Raf`at Bayat, a Majlis (Iranian parliament) deputy, has spoken in parliament about a plan on Iran`s nuclear dossier to be submitted to Majlis. In this mechanism the Agency is given two weeks time to close Iran`s dossier, otherwise Iran will exit NPT.

Dr Assefi: The statements and movement of Majlis show that the Islamic Republic of Iran is sensitive to this issue and is paying due attention to it. This is indicative of the importance of Iran`s rights as well as the interests the country will have from gaining access to this technology and also it shows the attention Majlis is paying to the related concerns inside the country. However the respected deputies of Majlis are free to make their comments. They can pass laws.

It is natural that in case any law pass through its legal procedures and be approved by related authorities, like Council Guardians and the like and therefore be approved as a law, the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran is obliged to implement it. But as you also referred to, this issue is at the preliminary stages. We hope that our talks with the Europeans would proceed in a manner that we will not face any specific complexities.

Q: You said the Europeans` proposal is unbalanced. Could you please explain more about it?

Dr Assefi: I think unbalanced is a sufficient and comprehensive word to show that these proposals are not balanced, ie that their positive aspects should be become more and their negative aspects should be eliminated or become less.

Q: In response to the first question you said that the Europeans should assure us. What thing are they supposed to assure you about? About the undertakings that they didn't fulfill in the first stage? About their new undertakings that Iran suspend uranium enrichment for an indefinite time? What are they supposed to give in case they want to fulfill their commitments?

Dr Assefi: Well, they raised numerous proposals, but it is not proper to discuss them here. What I said was that the Europeans should assure us that when we reach an agreement, they are able to implement it.

Q: It was announced that apparently this Wednesday Iran's proposals to Europeans would be offered. Can you tell us what are the main points of these proposals?

Dr Assefi: No.

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