IRAN PRESS/NUCLEAR - NOVEMBER 23 - SUPREME COUNCIL FOR

UNCLAS RPO DUBAI 000506 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: IR PGOV PREL PARM SUBJECT: IRAN PRESS/NUCLEAR - NOVEMBER 23 - SUPREME COUNCIL FOR NATIONAL SECURITY DEPUTY HEAD ALI BAQERI TITLE: NSC Deputy: The West Isn't Ready to Continue Discussions SUMMARY: In an extensive November 23 IRNA story ( IRNA, official, pro-Ahmadinejad),covering remarks made by National Security Deputy Head Ali Baqeri in a meeting concerning Iran's nuclear positions at Shahid Beheshti University, Baqeri said [unless otherwise noted, all comments are direct quotes]: - Despite the expression of satisfaction by Solana in the October 28 communication with Mr. Jalili and the agreements carried out at the Geneva 2 negotiations, apparently the other side doesn't have the necessary readiness for continuing discussions~ The main issue is internal problems with the other side [i.e. the West] and the Friday Brussels meeting showed that the other side doesn't view the continuation of discussions as in its interest. -[on Iran producing 20 percent fuel]: From a technical viewpoint we have no problems producing this fuel and if other countries don't give us this fuel we ourselves can produce it. From a legal viewpoint we don't have any problems providing fuel for the Tehran Research Reactor (TRR) because there is no barrier for any country enriching above 5 percent or 20 percent and if the IAEA can't provide IAEA fuel we'll produce it domestically. - From a technical viewpoint we have no problems producing fuel, based on the Security Council agreement import and export of materials is forbidden but the request of these countries shows that they have retreated from their position. We have reached the position where Iran's performance has changed a field of opposition to one of interaction. - Iran has no problem transferring 3.5 percent fuel but on the condition that provision of TRR fuel is 100 percent guaranteed and definitely if there are any doubts or uncertainties we won't enter the deal/exchange and this is the Islamic Republic of Iran's position. - The only way is that this exchange occur on Iranian soil and in this case the guarantee is definite. - [student question: if Iran gives its fuel and doesn't get TRR fuel back?]: Who said it was arranged for Iran to send out its fuel? One of the ways of a 100 percent guarantee of getting TRR fuel is conducting the exchange of 3.5 percent fuel for 20 percent fuel inside Iran. - Western countries don't live up to their commitments. For example we bought 60 tons of UF6 from France but it didn't give it to us and despite the fact that a French court ruled in Iran's favor France still refrained from giving it to Iran. Also, the Germans, Canadians and the Brits have repeatedly violated their commitments in relation to Bushehr. - [Question re Russian obstructionism re Bushehr]: Up to the present the Russians have delivered 80 tons of fuel for the Bushehr power plant to us, but we have not signed a brotherhood pact with anyone. - All countries pursue their own interests. Nonetheless Russia's non-fulfillment of their commitments is definite, although there have been problems in the process of meeting the needs of the Bushehr reactor. EYREAE