ID :
156122
Thu, 01/06/2011 - 13:37
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/156122
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Iran to open Arak nuclear site to foreign visitors
TEHRAN, Jan. 6 (MNA) --Iran invited some members of the UN Security Council, the European Union, the Group of 77, and Non-aligned Movement to visit Natanz nuclear enrichment plant and Arak heavy water reactor between January 15 and 16.
Ali Asghar Soltanieh, Iran’s envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency, also announced on Tuesday that ten countries’ ambassadors to the Vienna-based agency will tour Iranian nuclear facilities.
Allowing a tour of Arak heavy water reactor is a significant move because even based on the safeguards of the IAEA, Iran is not required to allow the inspection of this site.
“The invitation is in line with the Islamic Republic’s transparent nuclear policy,” Soltanieh said.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast, in his weekly press briefing on Tuesday, also said that the initiative was part of the Islamic Republic’s attempt to demonstrate “cooperation with the IAEA” and show “the goodwill of our country and the peaceful and cooperative nature of our (nuclear) activities.”
Invitations had gone out to Russia, China, Egypt and Cuba as well as to Hungary as rotating president of the European Union, but Britain, France, Germany and the United States were not on the list of countries invited to see the sites.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei announced on Tuesday that Beijing has received the invitation from Iran and that China is “communicating with Iran on this issue.”
The European Union on Wednesday said in reply to Tehran’s invitation that it was up to IAEA to carry out the visits.
A spokesman for the EU’s foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said the 27-nation bloc had received a letter of invitation to visit the sites.
“There is a process going on,” said Michael Mann. “It is for the IAEA to visit.”
An informed source told the Tehran Times that talks between Iran and the major powers will probably be held on January 21 and 22 in Istanbul, and it means that the tour of the nuclear sites will come one week before the talks, and it will certainly affect the talks.
Pundits have described Iran’s initiative as a constructive step to build confidence.
They also say it proves the truthfulness of the Iranian officials’ assertion that Tehran’s nuclear program is meant for peaceful applications.
Diplomatic sources believe that the move shows Iran does not want to limit its negotiations only with the 5+1 group and seeks to involve other countries in the talks.
Ali Asghar Soltanieh, Iran’s envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency, also announced on Tuesday that ten countries’ ambassadors to the Vienna-based agency will tour Iranian nuclear facilities.
Allowing a tour of Arak heavy water reactor is a significant move because even based on the safeguards of the IAEA, Iran is not required to allow the inspection of this site.
“The invitation is in line with the Islamic Republic’s transparent nuclear policy,” Soltanieh said.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast, in his weekly press briefing on Tuesday, also said that the initiative was part of the Islamic Republic’s attempt to demonstrate “cooperation with the IAEA” and show “the goodwill of our country and the peaceful and cooperative nature of our (nuclear) activities.”
Invitations had gone out to Russia, China, Egypt and Cuba as well as to Hungary as rotating president of the European Union, but Britain, France, Germany and the United States were not on the list of countries invited to see the sites.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei announced on Tuesday that Beijing has received the invitation from Iran and that China is “communicating with Iran on this issue.”
The European Union on Wednesday said in reply to Tehran’s invitation that it was up to IAEA to carry out the visits.
A spokesman for the EU’s foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said the 27-nation bloc had received a letter of invitation to visit the sites.
“There is a process going on,” said Michael Mann. “It is for the IAEA to visit.”
An informed source told the Tehran Times that talks between Iran and the major powers will probably be held on January 21 and 22 in Istanbul, and it means that the tour of the nuclear sites will come one week before the talks, and it will certainly affect the talks.
Pundits have described Iran’s initiative as a constructive step to build confidence.
They also say it proves the truthfulness of the Iranian officials’ assertion that Tehran’s nuclear program is meant for peaceful applications.
Diplomatic sources believe that the move shows Iran does not want to limit its negotiations only with the 5+1 group and seeks to involve other countries in the talks.
