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Turkish PM to Tehran in bid to seal nuclear swap
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1 of 2. EDITORS' NOTE: Reuters and other foreign media are subject to Iranian restrictions on leaving the office to report, film or take pictures in Tehran. Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (R) welcomes his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva during an official meeting in Tehran May 16, 2010.
Credit: Reuters/Raheb Homavandi
TEHRAN/ISTANBUL |
TEHRAN/ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan flew to Tehran on Sunday seeking to seal a deal with Iran on a nuclear fuel swap that could help end a stand-off with the West over its atomic programme.
Erdogan will join Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva who has been in Tehran negotiating with Iranian officials in what Western and Russian authorities have said is probably the last chance to avoid new U.N. sanctions against Iran.
A U.N.-backed deal offered Iran last October to ship 1,200 kg (2,646 lb) of its low enriched uranium -- enough for a single bomb if purified to a high enough level -- to Russia and France to make into fuel for a Tehran research reactor.
Iran later said it would only swap its LEU for higher grade material and only on its own soil, conditions other parties in the deal said were unacceptable.
"I am going to Iran because a clause will be added to the proposal which says the swap will take place in Turkey," he said.
"We will have the opportunity to start the process regarding the swap," he said. "I guarantee that we will find the opportunity to overcome these problems, god willing."
Lula also told reporters after holding talks with Iranians that "the level of hope (to reach an agreement) has increased."
SANCTIONS LOOM
Lula has met President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Iran's most powerful authority Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the last say on all state matters like Iran's nuclear activities.
"America is angry over the proximity of independent countries like Iran and Brazil...That is why they made a fuss ahead of your (Lula) trip to Iran," state television quoted Khamenei as saying.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Friday that Lula's mediation effort would fail.
Iran has denied Western accusations it is developing nuclear weapons under cover of a civilian nuclear programme.
Turkey and Brazil, both non-permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, have offered to mediate to find a resolution to the impasse at a time when world powers are in talks to impose a fourth round of U.N. sanctions on Iran.
Iran had said it viewed the mediation positively.
The Islamic state started higher enrichment in February to create fuel for the research reactor itself, after the failure of talks with major powers over the nuclear swap. The step brings Iran's enrichment closer to levels needed for making weapons-grade material -- uranium refined to 90 percent purity.
(Additional reporting by Fernando Exman, Tulay Karadeniz and Pinar Aydinli; Writing by Parisa Hafezi, Editing by Ralph Boulton)
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DOES TYPING IN ALL CAPS MAKE ME SOUND INTELLIGENT? No….
THERE IS NO SINGLE CREDITABLE EVIDENCE THAT IRAN FLOUTS THE NPT RULES OR DEVELOPS NUKES.
US AND ZIONIST MEDIA USING PROPAGANDA LIES TO CREATE ILLUSION AND MAKE BELIEVE THAT IRAN IS TO DEVELOP NUKES.
With more than 200 nuclear weapons and the capacity to deliver them against its enemies or use them to buttress its policies, Israel refuses to join the Non-Proliferation Treaty or to open its nuclear facilities for International Atomic Energy Agency inspection. On the other hand, Israel and the United States insist on applying the harshest possible sanctions against Iran, which they fear may be developing nuclear weapons. The United States furthermore is responding to a regional initiative to make the Middle East a zone free of weapons of mass destruction by linking it to progress in the peace process, which means a peace customized by and suited especially to meet Israel’s interests, naturally, because Israel is the sole nuclear power in the region. In promoting this deal, imposed by a nuclear Israel on a much weaker region, the United States is affirming that it certainly pays to be a nuclear power — you get things done on your terms — It is making mockery of other nations when the white house spokesman says Iran must assure THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. In fact more than hundred countries support Iran’s right to nuclear technology UNDER NPT but the white house spokesman and the media do not consider that number of countries as international community. Only the bullies are entitled speak for other countries.
INDONESIA CERTAIN IRAN’S NUCLEAR PROGRAMME NOT FOR DEFENCE PURPOSES.
JOINT DECLARATION BY IRAN, TURKEY AND BRAZIL
(17 May 2010)
Having met in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, the undersigned have agreed on the following Declaration:
1) We reaffirm our commitment to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and in accordance with the related articles of the NPT, recall the right of all State Parties, including the Islamic Republic of Iran, to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy (as well as nuclear fuel cycle including enrichment activities) for peaceful purposes without discrimination.
2) We express our strong conviction that we have the opportunity now to begin a forwardlooking process that will create a positive, constructive, non-confrontational atmosphere leading to an era of interaction and cooperation.
3) We believe that the nuclear fuel exchange is instrumental in initiating cooperation in different areas, especially with regard to peaceful nuclear cooperation including nuclear power plant and research reactors construction.
4) Based on this point the nuclear fuel exchange is a starting point to begin cooperation and a positive constructive move forward among nations. Such a move should lead to positive interaction and cooperation in the field of peaceful nuclear activities replacing and avoiding all kinds of confrontation through refraining from measures, actions and rhetorical statements that would jeopardize Iran’s rights and obligations under the NPT.
5) Based on the above, in order to facilitate the nuclear cooperation mentioned above, the Islamic Republic of Iran agrees to deposit 1200 kg LEU in Turkey. While in Turkey this LEU will continue to be the property of Iran. Iran and the IAEA may station observers to monitor the safekeeping of the LEU in Turkey.
6) Iran will notify the IAEA in writing through official channels of its agreement with the above within seven days following the date of this declaration. Upon the positive response of the Vienna Group (US, Russia, France and the IAEA) further details of the exchange will be elaborated through a written agreement and proper arrangement between Iran and the Vienna Group that specifically committed themselves to deliver 120 kg of fuel needed for the Tehran Research Reactor (TRR).
7) When the Vienna Group declares its commitment to this provision, then both parties would commit themselves to the implementation of the agreement mentioned in item 6. Islamic Republic of Iran expressed its readiness to deposit its LEU (1200 kg) within one month. On the basis of the same agreement the Vienna Group should deliver 120 kg fuel required for TRR in no later than one year.
8) In case the provisions of this Declaration are not respected Turkey, upon the request of Iran, will return swiftly and unconditionally Iran’s LEU to Iran.
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