SA 'consulting' on Iran
2006-01-19 10:19
Johannesburg - South Africa has called for continued negotiations to resolve a dispute over Iran's nuclear programme following a US and European Union threat to hold Tehran to account before the UN Security Council.
"South Africa continues to consult with the concerned governments and members of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) board of governors to find concrete workable proposals that can assist in resolving this matter in a sustainable manner," a foreign ministry statement said late on Wednesday.
The communique, issued after talks between deputy foreign minister Aziz Pahad and acting Iranian foreign minister Mehdi Mostafavi, called for "continuing dialogue and negotiations to reach a long-term agreement."
It said that the talks between "all parties" should take "due consideration of the rights, obligations, concerns and aspirations of all parties involved".
Britain, France and Germany - who've been trying to obtain guarantees that Iran will not use its drive for atomic energy drive as a cover for weapons development - have called for an emergency meeting of the IAEA on February 2 in response to Iran's resumption earlier this month of uranium enrichment research.
Such research had been suspended as part of a 2003 and 2004 deal with the Europeans. Although Iran argues it only wants to make reactor fuel, the West fears Iran could extend the enrichment process to weapons making.
The EU-3, backed by the US, are hoping the IAEA's 35-nation board will refer the Islamic republic to the UN Security Council, rejecting Iran's call for a return to direct talks, unless there is a return to the moratorium on enrichment activities.
- AFP