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Iranian foreign minister stresses plan to produce nuclear fuel+(Japan Economic Newswire Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)BRUSSELS, Feb. 20_(Kyodo) _ Iran should have the right to produce nuclear fuel, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki stressed Monday as talks between Iran and Russia were held in Moscow. "Nuclear research and development will be continued," Mottaki told reporters after a meeting with European Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner and Belgian Foreign Minister Karel de Gucht. "Whether or not we can accept the proposal by Russia depends on different criteria," Motakki said. "It depends on the place of the enrichment, the period of the implementation of the project, who would participate in the project and whether or not the West will accept the right of Iran to pursue peaceful nuclear activities," Mottaki said, referring to the Moscow talks. Mottaki also said that trust is something that should come from two sides as well as "also from the side that has the experience of using nuclear bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and (which is) less effective in Iraq," referring to the United States. He expressed confidence that there would be a compromise before the International Atomic Energy Agency meets again in early March. The IAEA board will decide March 6 whether or not Iran should be reported to the U.N. Security Council over its nuclear program. Mottaki will also hold talks with EU security chief Javier Solana on Monday afternoon. |