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Foreign Minister Says "Resistance" is Part of Iran's Nuclear Diplomacy

Posted on: Sunday, 5 February 2006, 09:00 CST

Text of report in English by Iranian news agency IRNA website

Tehran, 5 February: Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki said here Sunday [5 February] that Iran's nuclear diplomacy is based on a national social consensus and the nation's will.

Mottaki made the remark at a joint press conference with his Cuban counterpart.

"Iran's diplomacy is based on viewpoints of different groups in the country as well as final and majority decision of Majlis deputies and serious approach of the government.

"We regard such a policy as correct and will continue it," he said.

In response to a question [which] attributed reporting Iran's nuclear case to the UN Security Council to the country's weak diplomacy, he said: "This policy does not mean lack of international cooperation.

"We will continue our path within the framework of international regulations and the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to achieve our inalienable rights based on Article 4 of the NPT."

The minister added: "In final interaction with the European states and certain other countries, we faced two completely transparent options. We should either withdraw and ignore the Iranian nation's rights or resist to obtain our rights.

"Iran's negotiation strategy has been based on restoration of the Iranian nation's rights during the past three years under governments of former president Mohammad Khatami and President Mahmud Ahmadinezhad. It was the common aspect of the country's diplomatic efforts."

Mottaki stated: "There was another common view on the opposite side to the effect that Europe is influenced by the United States in not recognizing (nuclear) right in practice and preventing its materialization."

He said: "We chose the second option and it is a matter of our honour. We regard resistance as a means to achieve our rights through support of our nation and a logical analysis of conditions.

"Today, resistance is like a pearl oyster that can lead to restoration of rights in different parts of the world."

Source: BBC Monitoring Middle East

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