Poll shows majority support extension of N-talks

Tehran, Dec 1, IRNA – According to a recent poll conducted by the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), 81 percent of Tehranis are in favor and 19 percent against the extension of Iran's nuclear talks with Group 5+1. The IRNA poll was carried out by random telephone calls made in all 22 neighborhoods of Tehran on November 25 and 26. 59.1 percent of the respondents were men. The youngest respondent was 19 years old while the oldest one was a 83-year-old man. The average age of the respondents was 40.5 years. Majority of the questioned believed that the latest agreement made by the negotiating teams of Iran and the six big powers (US, Britain, France, Russia and China plus Germany) to continue nuclear talks for another seven months 'would benefit Iran.' Only 19 percent of those questioned said the agreement 'will not benefit' the country. 79 percent of those questioned said they believed prospects of the future nuclear talks were 'positive' while 21 percent were against it. 33.6 percent said extension of the nuclear talks would give both sides more opportunity to reach a win-win situation. 17.3 percent said they believed continuation of the talks will benefit Iran as the West needed Tehran's economic and security cooperation. 8.2 percent said they supported extension of the talks as they believed Iran was moving in line with restoring its nuclear rights. Among other positive views held by the respondents were as follows: 5.5 percent in favor of gradual release of Iran's blocked assets 5.5 percent for economic stability in Iran 3.6 percent for improving Iran's international image 2.7 percent for growing foreign investment. Meanwhile, those who held a negative outlook about extension of the nuclear negotiations included: 10.9 percent for lack of West's cooperation for complete and lasting removal of sanctions which could block a final agreement. 6.3 percent considered the victory of the Republicans and pressures exerted by the Zionists lobby as main obstacles on the way of the nuclear talks while 2.7 percent said holding nuclear talks was totally a mistake. The respondents' suggestions for the Iranian negotiating team included: 29.6 percent called on them to defend rights of the nation 25.9 percent asked them to continue their efforts 23.1 percent prayed for the success and health of the Iranian negotiating team 9.3 percent called on them to show more flexibility in talks to the extent that will not threaten national interests 2.8 percent reiterated Iranians will always support the negotiating team 1.9 percent asked them to halt the negotiations as they were useless and 0.9 percent urged the nuclear negotiating team to be independent and transparent./end