Russian Security Council chief Igor Ivanov on Sunday gave a
thinly-veiled warning to any country attempting to cover
interference in Iran's internal affairs by using Iran's nuclear
program as cover.
"We oppose attempts to use this issue as an instrument of
pressure or interference in Iran's internal affairs," Ivanov told
the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy, a Russian think-tank
regrouping politicians, officials, experts and business
leaders.?
Nuclear nonproliferation is an issue which touches the whole world
not just Iran, said Ivanov, while calling Iran to meet the world's
worries with honest answers.?
"We insist that these concerns be removed. Should this issue be
closed, Iran will maintain every right to develop peaceful nuclear
programs," Ivanov said.
Western accusations have flown, blaming Iran for using civilian
nuclear programs as a cover for developing nuclear weaponry which
Tehran has met with claims that it is enriching uranium as a
peaceful, alternative energy source.
Thursday saw the five permanent members of the UN Security
Council -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States --
plus Germany finish a draft resolution which will mete stronger
sanctions against Tehran for blithely pursuing uranium
enrichment.
"Iran must freeze uranium enrichment. The UN Security Council
will then take a break, too, and the parties can gather at the
negotiating table," he said.
Ivanov also sought to dispel any potential links between Iran's
nuclear program and its Bushehr nuclear power plant, being built
with Russian help.
"It is a separate issue. All the work being done is under the
International Atomic Energy Agency's strict control," he said.
(Xinhua News Agency March 19, 2007)
