Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani said on Thursday that
the country would continue its disputed nuclear activities,
promising to respond to the six-nation package aimed at resolving
the current standoff on Aug. 22.
"We have adopted a scheme to generate 20,000 megawatts of atomic
energy over the next 20 years, Iran determined to depend on itself
to make some nuclear fuel inside the country," Larijani said in a
statement read by the state-run television.
Meanwhile, the top official warned the United Nations Security
Council (UNSC) against taking compulsive measures to force Iran to
suspend nuclear works.
"We are ready to find a diplomatic solution for the two sides,
and we are serious in this path, they (the UNSC) should choose a
track of dialogue, but if they choose confrontation and want to
restrict and threaten the legal right of the Iranian people, Iran
will have no choice but to revise its current policy," said
Larijani in the statement.
"Iran is not after tension, but if others push things toward
tension and create problems, then all will face problems," he
added.
Larijani also promised Iran would formally respond six-nation
package on Aug. 22.
"Iran welcome the package of proposals, but it demands a logical
time to be examined, we have determined to declare (our) views on
Aug. 22," he said.
Echoing with Larijani's comments of "revising policy", a top
Iranian lawmaker also said on Thursday that the Majlis (Iran's
parliament) was ready to debate withdrawal from the
Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) if the Security Council adopts a
resolution demanding a suspension of Iran's nuclear activities.
On June 6, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana presented Iran
with a package agreed on by the five permanent members of the UN
Security Council plus Germany concerning the Iranian nuclear
issue.
The proposal includes both incentives aimed at persuading Iran
to suspend uranium enrichment and possible sanctions if Iran does
not comply.
Western countries have been pressing Tehran to respond to the
six-nation package before Saturday, but Iran has rejected the
request.
The six countries agreed on last Wednesday to return Iran's
nuclear issue to the UN Security Council.
The move drew a strong reaction from the Iranian government.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned last Thursday that his country
would revise cooperation with IAEA and may quit the NPT if the West
is not sincere on the nuclear issue.
The United States and European countries claim that Iran is
using its civilian nuclear program as a cover to produce nuclear
weapons.
Tehran has repeatedly denied the charge, saying its nuclear
program is merely to generate electricity, not bombs.
(Xinhua News Agency July 21, 2006)
