BEIJING, February 2 (RIA Novosti, Alexei Yefimov) - The Iranian Foreign Ministry said Thursday that it was still possible to reach a comprehensive understanding with the international community over its controversial nuclear research.
In a statement from the Iranian Embassy in China that was notable for its lack of belligerence in comparison with recent comments made by the Islamic Republic's leadership, the ministry suggested that the "understanding" might include postponing an emergency session of the UN's nuclear watchdog, which starts today.
"This understanding could mean postponing the second emergency session of the International Atomic Energy Agency's board of governors from February 2 until March 6," the statement said.
A Monday meeting of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany all but decided to refer the Iranian "nuclear file" to the UN after a scheduled meeting of its nuclear watchdog in March. The foreign ministers of the six nations opted to keep the Council informed about the matter up until that point, but the International Atomic Energy Agency's 35-member board of governors is still set to discuss the escalating crisis when it meets in Vienna today.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad responded Wednesday by condemning the West's motives. After arriving in the southern town of Bushehr, where Russia is building a $800-million nuclear power plant, Ahmadinejad told journalists: "The West has been living with its colonial dreams throughout the last 200 years, and its decisions on Iran's 'nuclear file' will not influence the decisions of the Iranian people."
The Iranian Foreign Ministry's statement contended that the move to refer the issue to New York was down to "ill will", which meant there was no need to hold the emergency session on February 2.
"We are not concerned about the Security Council", but a "discussion of the Iranian dossier in any organizations other than the IAEA will not solve the problem," the ministry said, adding that formulas that would suit all sides could still be found.
Many countries suspect Iran of pursuing a secret weapons program under the cover of research into peaceful nuclear energy, a point that was underscored by U.S. President George Bush in his State of the Union on Tuesday night. In particular, he charged Tehran with "defying the world" with its nuclear ambitions, and said "the nations of the world must not permit the Iranian regime to gain nuclear weapons".
Tehran has consistently rejected such claims and had taken a firm line on the referral of its nuclear programs to the UN Security Council, which has the power to impose sanctions if Tehran is found to be in breach of its international commitments. A top negotiator recently said that it would mark the "end to diplomacy" if it happened.
Iran will accept no term beyond the Non-Proliferation Treaty and if the Iranian dossier is submitted to the Security Council, the West will see an adequate reaction, the document said.
"All of our European friends and the board of governors are aware that if the problem is referred to the Security Council, Iran will end any kind of cooperation with the UN nuclear office," Tehran said.
"The Additional Protocol [to Nuclear Safeguards Agreements] will become the first victim," Iran continued, meaning that nuclear inspections in the country would be ended completely.
In a considerably less confrontational tone, Iran said a Russian proposal to enrich Iranian uranium on its own territory still needed consideration.
"We can study the Russian proposal and it could be a good idea, but it includes important points which need comprehensive consideration," the ministry said insisting on additional talks. Some figures in the West have interpreted this as an attempt to play for time.
Iran called on other states to participate in this plan, saying that China and other countries could contribute to Iran's nuclear activity. However, it continued, no proposals have been made about China, which, along with Russia, could use its veto at the UN to block any resolution on Iran.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry mentioned that Ali Larijani, Iran's secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, said during his recent visit to China, which has commercial interests in the Islamic Republic, that there were no obstacles to the country's participation.
