| The UN instepctors of the IAEA arrived in Iran on Saturday on a reguralr visit within the framework of Iran's cooperation with the UN watchdog. "From the very begining our approach to the IAEA has been transparent," Assefi said adding Iran hopes that the agency's policies too will be transparent. Foregin Minister Kamal Kharrazi said on Sunday that the Islamic Republic's security doctorine is void of nuclear arms and Iran's use of nuclear technology is merely for peaceful intentions. A capable Iran cannot be talked to with the language of force and threats and cannot be pressured to give up nuclear know-how, a capable Iran must be apprached with understanding and cooperation, he said in a clear response to U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell's remarks couple of days ago when he once again repeated charges against Iran. Chief of IAEA Mohamed ElBaradei told the CNN last month that Iran's nuclear program is not a "weapons program". The UN watchdog is under pressure by the U.S. to report violation by Iran of the conventions of Nuclear-Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The report is due in mid-June. The UN body has asked Iran to sign an additional protocol to the NPT allowing more inspections. Iran says is ready to sign the additional protocol provided the developed countries abide by their commitments of assisting Tehran to develop its nculear facilities which are for peaceful purposes. Russis is Iran's main partner in developing its nuclear programs. Shortly after the G8 summit in Evian, France, Russia announced that it will supply nuclear fuel to Iran even if it decided not to sign the additional protocol to the NPT. Iran is a signatory to the NPT. MS/SM MNA
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Publish Date: 9 June 2003 - 14:58
TEHRAN, June 9 (Mehr News Agency) -- The visit of Internatioanl Atomic Energy Ageny's (IAEA) inspectors to Iran had already been planned and are within the framework of Iran's continuous cooperation with the IAEA, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hamid Reza Assefi said here Monday in a meet-the-press briefing.