WORLD / Middle East
Iran rejects face-to-face talks with US over nuclear issue
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-08-08 00:42
TEHRAN -- Iran on Tuesday rejected UN nuclear chief's proposal for direct
talks with the United States over Tehran's nuclear issue, the official
IRNA news agency reported.
Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, the deputy head of Iran's Supreme National
Security Council, made the remarks in an exclusive interview with IRNA.
"Minor talks can however be held within the G5+1 framework with the
United States as a member of the UN Security Council so as to solve the
nuclear issue speedily," Fazli said, referring the five permanent members
of the UN Security Council -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the
United States -- plus Germany.
Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA)
Mohamed ElBaradei has suggested that Tehran and Washington hold direct
talks on the nuclear crisis.
Fazli also rejected the West's suggestions on Iran's nuclear issue and
said, "Tehran does not accept any idea calling for suspension of uranium
enrichment."
He called on the West to put forward the ideas which could both honor
Iran's legitimate right and allay their real concerns.
The Unite States and Western countries accused Iran of developing atomic
weapons under a civilian cover, but Tehran said that it only wants to
generate electricity by nuclear power.
The UN Security Council has imposed two sanction resolutions against
Tehran's nuclear program since last December, demanding a halt to the
uranium enrichment program.
Iran's senior officials, however, have repeatedly denied the request.
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