Greg Bruno at the Council on Foreign Relations snags an
interview with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki during his visit
to Washington and Mottaki lays out the Iranian thinking on a host of issues. Below are some excerpts.
Mottaki on the talks in Geneva:
By presenting a package
of proposals, we wanted to show that Iran is serious for these
negotiations. We have given three topics in the proposed package and that makes
it possible for all parties to enter into discussions even about the nuclear
program. That also includes political and security issues, economic matters, and
international cooperation. And in the international part, some matters can be
dedicated to the nuclear programs and nuclear issues. We are optimistic about
the talks tomorrow. Because the negotiations are taking place after a long
time, we should not have much expectation. Maybe that requires formation of
some committees to continue the process.
On the Iran's rights under the Non-Proliferation Treaty:
We are not going to compromise our
legal rights under any circumstances toward the enjoyment of legal activities.
And we have no plan at the moment to withdraw from the NPT.
On allowing access to the newly revealed facility near Qom:
The date will be discussed and
coordinated within the Atomic Energy Agency of Iran and the IAEA later on. They
would exchange letters. So from our side, there is no problem. Any date that is
agreed between the two sides would be respected and the visit or access will be
exercised.
On what happened during the G-20:
We think in Pittsburgh, President
Obama was misled based on wrong information and wrong analysis. The wrong
analysis was provided by the British. Wrong information by certain terrorist
groups ... It seems to me that President Obama should be very mindful of these
issues and statements.
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