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Iran says unlikely to accept U.N. statement on Iran's nuke program+(Japan Economic Newswire Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)TOKYO, March 31_(Kyodo) _ Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Friday during telephone talks with his Japanese counterpart, Taro Aso, that Iran's position remains unchanged and that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, a Japanese Foreign Ministry official said. Mottaki's remark indicates that Iran is unlikely to accept a draft presidential statement the full U.N. Security Council adopted recently, urging Iran to halt all enrichment-related activities and reprocessing activities including research and development. Mottaki made his remark in response to Aso's call that Iran accept the statement, which was adopted Wednesday. Aso was quoted by the official as telling Mottaki that there could be further developments on the Iranian nuclear issue if Iran fails to change its position, alluding to the possibility of economic sanctions on Tehran by the international community. The Japanese foreign minister said the international community is closely watching Iran's moves over 30 days and called on Iran to make a wise judgment during that time, the official said. Aso was referring to a clause in the statement that requests International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Mohamed ElBaradei report to the council and the IAEA Board of Governors on Iran's compliance in 30 days, asking Iran to stop uranium enrichment activities during that time. Mottaki said he regrets that the statement referred to its research activities but said he is open to negotiations with all countries on how to secure what he called Iran's right to peaceful use of nuclear technology, according to the official. Iran has insisted it has the right to have nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, but the United States and European nations are concerned that Tehran is seeking to develop nuclear weapons. |