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Iran says it's not afraid of Security Council
(AP)
Updated: 2005-11-08 01:38
Threats to refer Iran's nuclear case to the U.N. Security Council, where
Tehran could face sanctions, will not scare it into scrapping its nuclear
program, Iran's chief atomic negotiator said on Tuesday.
"Iran cannot be
intimidated by the Security Council. We do not take such threats seriously," Ali
Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, told reporters.
"Iran cannot be threatened with the (Security) Council in order to abandon
its right."
Tehran denies U.S. accusations that its nuclear program will be used to make
atomic bombs.
Washington and the European Union have repeatedly warned Iran it will be sent
to the Security Council unless it abides by a September resolution of the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) urging it to improve cooperation with
U.N. inspectors and to freeze all nuclear fuel work.
The IAEA board is due to meet again to discuss Iran's case later this month.
Tehran has been praised by the IAEA for improved cooperation in recent weeks,
including allowing inspectors to visit a military complex near Tehran.
Larijani has also formally written to Britain, France and Germany requesting
a resumption of nuclear negotiations which broke down in August. The EU says it
is studying Iran's offer.
"We want to show that we have gone through all peaceful
channels to protect the Iranian nation's right," Larijani told reporters after
addressing a conference in Tehran. "It would be wise if the Europeans use all
diplomatic channels to solve Iran's nuclear issue," he said.
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