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Iranian FM: Zionist regime in Middle East constant threat
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Thursday that the "Zionist regime" in the Middle East has always proven to be a constant threat. In response to a question from the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on whether Iran fears an Israeli pre-emptive strike, Mottaki said that the officials of the "Zionist regime" has said that they are facing an earthquake in the occupied land, and therefore "we do not think it can carry out its threats".

Mottaki stressed in a new conference today that nuclear technology for peaceful uses is the inalienable right of the states adhering to the non-proliferation treaty (NPT) and that Iran has been a member for the past 36 years. The Iranian foreign minister did not see that the Security Council is the appropriate body to deal with the Iranian issue, and noted that deadlines are also not an appropriate idea. Mottaki stressed that Iran's drive to peaceful nuclear technology does not need the permission of any country. "We are ready to work towards the achievement of this right in the context of negotiations with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and that Iran's cooperation will continue with the agency," he stressed.

On the proposed talks between Iran and the US on Iraq and whether Iran is willing to start such talks after the Security-Council developments, Mottaki said that Iran supported the expansion of democracy inside Iraq. Mottaki added that Iran supported and supports the territorial integrity, national unity and nation building in Iraq. The Iranian foreign minister noted that the recent proposal by Iraqi leaders for Iran to talk with the US about issues relating to Iraq is viewed by Iran as a means of trying to help the Iraqi nation. He stressed that these negotiations will be only limited to the Iraqi issue, and that the venue and time is yet to be finalized. Mottaki held this press conference following his address to the Conference on Disarmament.
Posted by: Fred 2006-03-31
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=147024