FIRST PRESS CONFERENCE OF MANOUCHEHR MOTTAKI
FOREIGN MINISTER
IRANIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
September 12, 2005
Iranian foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki said here sunday that iran has received no requests from the US to give it a part in nuclear negotiations.
Mottaki was answering a question on the possibility of us mediation in nuclear negotiations, during his first press since coming to office in late august.
In response to another question whether iran will quit the nuclear non-proliferation treaty in case its nuclear dossier is referred to the un security council, he said making political decisions on iran`s nuclear case would actually be a lose-lose game.
Pointing out that iran`s approach to nuclear issue has been based on a win-win game, he said, "based on this approach, through confidence-building iran will offer guarantees on the peaceful nature of its nuclear activities to the international community and the european countries which means the negotiators are considered as winners. On the other hand, iran too, will achieve its legal right."
Answering another question on iran`s nuclear case, he said that referral of iran`s nuclear dossier to the security council lacks any legal basis, arguing that such a decision would exhibit a political desire behind it.
Saying that he saw no strong reason for taking such a measure, the foreign minister noted that such a decision would definitely have its own outcome.
Asked to say whether the number of countries involved in nuclear negotiations might increase, he said a number of the member states of the board of governors of the international atomic energy agency (iaea) strongly advocated the idea that iran`s case should be dealt with within the iaea framework.
However, he added, iran held a favorable attitude toward the idea. "Any change in nuclear negotiating sides can be discussed."
"The issue of talks with certain member countries of the non-aligned movement or other states has been raised but iran has made no decision yet in this regard," he said.
Pointing to presence of the us delegations in talks on certain issues including afghanistan, he added, "we received no requests from the americans to attend the talks (on iran`s nuclear case)."
Mottaki stated talks with the european union has been stopped but "efforts are underway to resume the negotiations."
He stressed, "iran agrees and welcomes continuation of talks without any preconditions."
Asked about establishment of the strategic council on foreign relations at iran`s foreign ministry, the minister said the council is to review the country`s foreign relations based on comprehensive studies and research and help various executive branches of the diplomatic apparatus.
He said the council will help in drawing up strategies in iran`s foreign relations, adding management of the executive sectors of foreign ministry will play a key role in determining demands while the elites` presence will be effective in offering ideas and appropriate theories.
Asked about bilateral ties between iran and japan, Mottaki said the two sides enjoyed deep-rooted relations and extensive cooperation.
He expressed hope that friendly cooperation between the two countries would receive further boost in the future. questioned about tehran-beijing relations, Mottaki said that the ties between the two countries have always been based on mutual respect and interests he said iran has always welcomed expansion of ties with china.
On president ahmadinejad`s initiative regarding the nuclear negotiations, the foreign minister said that the plan was being worked on currently, adding that its details will be made known to the public in a few days.
Iran will not suspend nuclear activities at isfahan uranium conversion facility (ucf) as a precondition for continuation of negotiations (with europe), foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki said here sunday. Mottaki made the remark while talking to domestic and foreign reporters in his first press conference.
Mottaki received a vote of confidence from majlis as foreign minister on august 24. out of 284 deputies, 220 voted in his favor.
"talks with member states of the european union and the iaea board of governors are underway. Our emphasis is laid on the continuation of negotiations with respect to restoring our legal rights for having access to peaceful nuclear energy."
Asked about the possibility of referral of iran`s nuclear case to the un security council, he said, "there is no legal reason for such a measure. Iiran has offered the necessary cooperation with the international atomic energy agency and has not spared any cooperation with the agency towards confidence-build and transparency of its activities.
In response to a question on president mahmoud ahmadinejad`s proposed plan on iran`s nuclear case, the minister said, "as president ahmadinejad has announced, he is following a new idea on the nuclear issue aimed at preparing grounds for further cooperation. it is being codified at present."
"The president will bring forth his plan during his visit to new york when he attends the un summit of world leaders and in his bilateral and multilateral meetings with senior officials of the united nations, the european union and certain member states of the board of governors."
"Active political and diplomatic presence in various international arena is one of our main policies," he said.
"The president will attend the summit and will also deliver a speech," he added.
Mottaki said that visas have been issued for most of those accompanying the president in his un visit. "There are tiny issues and problems that will be resolved within a few days," he added.
Majlis speaker gholam-ali haddad-adel decided not to participate in the second world conference of speakers of parliaments following the us procrastination in issuing visa for him.
Parliament speakers of member states of the inter-parliamentary union, in a strong statement, condemned this us measure.
Foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki here sunday said efforts aimed to establish international peace, security and justice are among priorities of iran`s foreign policy.
"In reasonable and international interactions, avoidance from discriminatory, selective and political approaches should be taken into consideration," Mottaki told domestic and foreign reporters at his first press conference. "we intend to balance our relations with world countries," he added.
He assessed detente as an appropriate policy, saying, "we will follow the proper detente policy with a broad-based outlook to remove grounds for threat and intimidation in international relations.
"We will continue campaign against terrorism and discrimination as among our crucial and resolute policies. Certain problems in international arena stem from globalization," said the minister.
"International issues and problems call for international solutions and materialization of globalization requires participation of all world countries." Pointing to the un charter and the issue of "one nation, one vote," he said, "we will follow up a participation based on democracy in international relations."
Mottaki laid emphasis on necessity of mutual respect and non-interference in domestic affairs of other countries. "mutual respect and non-interference in the domestic affairs of others form the bases of our foreign policy in establishing and promoting ties with other countries," he said.