West Must Recognize Iran’s Right To Enrichment: Pak. Analyst

Islamabad, Feb 26, IRNA -- A former Pakistani diplomat said here Monday western states must recognize Iran’s right to enrichment and resolve all issues with Islamic Republic through dialogue. Talking to IRNA, Asif Ezdi said that talk between Iran and 5+1 group must continue and they should be result-orientated. He added that Iran is enriching uranium upto 20 percent and wants to use the nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. The analyst agreed with the statement of Secretary of Iranˈs Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Saˈeid Jalili that there should be a proposal about trust-building in upcoming talks of Iran and 5+1 Group. The Iranian team of negotiators is scheduled to meet with 5+1G representatives, including Russia, China, US, France, UK and Germany on Tuesday in Almaty, Kazakhstan. P5+1 team of negotiators is headed by the European Union Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton. Iran has held three rounds of talks with the P5+1 in Geneva, two terms in Istanbul and one round of talks in Baghdad and Moscow in the past. Asif Ezdi said that the success of talks would depend on the attitude of both sides. He said that the lack of trust is real problem in the talks between Iran and 5+1 Group. The analyst said that despite all problems the talks are the only way to settle issues. Washington and its Western allies accuse Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian nuclear program, while they have never presented any corroborative evidence to substantiate their allegations. Iran denies the charges and insists that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only. Asif Ezdi was of the view that the West is trying to impose pressure against Iran by intensifying sanctions. “The 5+1 Group wants Iran to come on its terms which the Islamic Republic is resisting,” he said. The analyst said talks between Iran and western powers must continue. The former diplomat said that Iran will not step down from their position over peaceful nuclear program. He said that there is no justification for questioning the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program. The analyst said that the US is not in a position to start any new military conflict. “Their economy cannot bear the burden of a new war,” he noted. Giving his opinion about the double standards of West on Iran, former diplomat said that nobody should expect balanced policy from western states. “Yes there are clear double standards against Iran,” said the analyst. Asif Ezdi is the former Pakistan Ambassador to Germany and a very famous columnist in Pakistan./end