IRAN: Iran is optimistic about scheduled talks with European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana to remove concerns over its disputed nuclear programme

Iran is optimistic about scheduled talks with European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana to remove concerns over its disputed nuclear programme, Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili says. Iran's chief nuclear negotiator said on Thursday (November 22) he will hold talks with the European Union foreign policy chief on Nov. 30 over the country's atomic work, which the West fears is a cover to build an atomic bomb. The outcome of such a meeting between Iran's Saeed Jalili and the EU's Javier Solana could help determine whether Iran will face new sanctions over its nuclear programme. "For removing the concerns, in a mutual activity, we announce that we are ready so we welcome all talks with different countries," Saeed Jalili told reporters on the sidelines of a conference called 'Iran's nuclear programme and ElBaradei's report'. The United States accuses Iran of seeking to build atomic bombs and says that if it succeeds it could threaten world peace. Iran says its nuclear programme is peaceful and designed for electricity generation. It has consistently refused to heed U.N. demands to halt its nuclear work. Jalili also said he was upbeat about talks with Solana. "In talks with Mr. Solana we have the same points of view and according to the last talks between our deputies, next Friday we will continue our talks in London," said Jalili. Solana is due to report on Iran's readiness or otherwise to suspend uranium enrichment and enter into negotiations on its nuclear programme before major powers take a decision on whether to impose further punitive measures on the Islamic Republic. Jalili on Thursday insisted that Iran will not yield to pressure but was ready to resolve the Islamic state's nuclear stand off with West diplomatically. "I have new ideas in this framework and I will talk about them later and based on these ideas that we are working on them. In future, we will certainly continue our talks. If the other side has the same view, we can make a good future based on cooperation," Jalili said. A meeting of governors at the U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is set to consider on Thursday and Friday an Iranian plan to offer more transparency in its nuclear activities. The IAEA's chief, Mohamed ElBaradei, is expected to urge backing for the plan. The U.N. Security Council has passed two mild sanctions resolutions against Tehran since December. Washington is now pushing for more measures but Russia and China have been reluctant. Washington says it is committed to finding a diplomatic solution to the nuclear row, but has not ruled out military action if that fails. Iran, the world's fourth-largest oil producer, says it wants nuclear-generated electricity in order to free up more oil for export.

ITN Source | November 23, 2007

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