Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Hassan Rowhani arrived in Tokyo Monday to discuss bilateral ties, Iran's nuclear issues, regional and international developments particularly Iraq.
During his three-day stay in Japan, Rowhani is to meet with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi and the speaker of the House of Representatives.
Speaking to reporters at the Mehrabad international airport, Rowhani played down the importance of talks with Japan's stance over Iran's case before the board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
"Although we were not satisfied with Japanese position vis-a-vis Iran's nuclear program in the last meeting of IAEA governing board, Tokyo's position changed in this session and its representative delivered a prudent speech."
On the nuclear issue, he said the questions on polonium and P2 centrifuge are technical and research oriented and "their resolution is not problematic."
Furthermore, the Secretary General of SNSC said the timing was not right for inspection by the IAEA of Iran's facilities, characterizing the cancellation as purely "a technical matter."
"We will definitely reach an agreement with the agency on the resumption of inspection," he was quoted by IRIB website.
He also brushed aside questions on the aim of the trip to bring Iran out of isolation, saying "on the contrary, the US is the one isolated as shown by the acceptance of Iran's position at the session, with the exception of one or two nations."
Rowhani further said Iran wants all the member of IAEA board to cooperate with Tehran. "We call for all the nations including Japan to cooperate with Iran to bring to a closure Iran's case before the governing board."
On a question of possibility of talks with the US to further international security he said "Iran has always taken constructive steps for promoting international security." "Iran's fostering security in the Persian Gulf is evident to all.
"At this time, there is no context to start talks with the US which continues to shown acrimony towards Iran. "The US itself has destroyed such grounds for rapprochement between the two nations," he noted.
"If and when the US refrains from its policies and a new atmosphere avails itself, then, Iran may change its views on the issue," Rowhani conveyed. (Albawaba.com)
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
