Nuclear Energy for All, Nuclear Weapon for No One
The goals of Tehran nuclear disarmament conference in an interview with Ramin Mehmanparast, speaker for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Iran will be holding a nuclear disarmament conference with the motto “nuclear energy for all, nuclear weapon for no one” on 17-18 April. Iranian Diplomacy has interviewed Ramin Mehmanparast, speaker for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ask him about the objectives of the conference.
You have told the press that UN Secretary General and IAEA chief have also been invited to Tehran’s nuclear disarmament conference. How likely is their attendance?
Tehran has invited delegations from all over the world. In a few days we will know at what level this delegations will attend the conference. As you said, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and IAEA chief Mr. Amano have also been invited. They may have other plans so we are waiting to see if they visit personally or send representatives.
Diversity has been observed in our invitations. There are high-ranking officials, well-known disarmament scholars and NGOs specializing in nuclear disarmament. The level of delegations will become clear in the next few days.
Exactly how many countries have been invited for the Tehran conference and how many have accepted the invitation?
Nearly seventy countries have been invited, of which we think about fifty will send envoys to Tehran.
What about China? Any clear response?
A Chinese delegation will certainly attend the conference but we don’t know yet about its level. Typically, these procedures continue until the days leading to the conference.
An Egyptian delegation will also come to Tehran. Do you also think this could be another step towards normalization of Tehran-Cairo ties?
Definitely. We believe there are common grounds which call for serious cooperation between Iran and Egypt. Nuclear disarmament is one case. Egypt, as a member of the Non-Aligned Movement and current president of the organization has taken exemplary stance over this matter. Our similar position over the nuclear issue can help us encourage other countries take actual steps towards this goal [nuclear disarmament].
Tehran conference will be held a few days before a similar conference in Washington on nuclear security. How do you see the coincidence?
Tehran believes any nuclear conference, wherever held, is a constructive measure. But to be taken serious by global public opinion it needs practicality more than anything else.
How can the Tehran conference demonstrate Iran’s peaceful goals in pursuing a nuclear program?
Tehran believes every country is entitled to enjoy the use of nuclear technology as much as it is responsible not to move towards production and use of nuclear weapons and as much as it is committed to nuclear disarmament. In fact, Iran supports peaceful use of nuclear know-how, while strongly opposes any application of this technology in non-peaceful, military field.
You have told the press that UN Secretary General and IAEA chief have also been invited to Tehran’s nuclear disarmament conference. How likely is their attendance?
Tehran has invited delegations from all over the world. In a few days we will know at what level this delegations will attend the conference. As you said, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and IAEA chief Mr. Amano have also been invited. They may have other plans so we are waiting to see if they visit personally or send representatives.
Diversity has been observed in our invitations. There are high-ranking officials, well-known disarmament scholars and NGOs specializing in nuclear disarmament. The level of delegations will become clear in the next few days.
Exactly how many countries have been invited for the Tehran conference and how many have accepted the invitation?
Nearly seventy countries have been invited, of which we think about fifty will send envoys to Tehran.
What about China? Any clear response?
A Chinese delegation will certainly attend the conference but we don’t know yet about its level. Typically, these procedures continue until the days leading to the conference.
An Egyptian delegation will also come to Tehran. Do you also think this could be another step towards normalization of Tehran-Cairo ties?
Definitely. We believe there are common grounds which call for serious cooperation between Iran and Egypt. Nuclear disarmament is one case. Egypt, as a member of the Non-Aligned Movement and current president of the organization has taken exemplary stance over this matter. Our similar position over the nuclear issue can help us encourage other countries take actual steps towards this goal [nuclear disarmament].
Tehran conference will be held a few days before a similar conference in Washington on nuclear security. How do you see the coincidence?
Tehran believes any nuclear conference, wherever held, is a constructive measure. But to be taken serious by global public opinion it needs practicality more than anything else.
How can the Tehran conference demonstrate Iran’s peaceful goals in pursuing a nuclear program?
Tehran believes every country is entitled to enjoy the use of nuclear technology as much as it is responsible not to move towards production and use of nuclear weapons and as much as it is committed to nuclear disarmament. In fact, Iran supports peaceful use of nuclear know-how, while strongly opposes any application of this technology in non-peaceful, military field.