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The suspected uranium-enrichment facility near Qom, southwest of Tehran.
(Reuters)
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Last update - 07:53 30/09/2009
White House: Iran must prove it is not developing nukes
By Natasha Mozgovaya, Haaretz Correspondent and News Agencies
Tags: Iran, Barak, Israel News 

Iran said on Tuesday it would not discuss a previously secret nuclear plant at international talks this week, but Washington vowed to bring it
up and demanded Tehran prove it is not developing an atomic weapon.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs, asked about Iran's insistence it would not discuss the facility in the Geneva talks, declared: "They may not, but we will."
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"What is undeniable is that a plant was constructed in violation of their obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, something they've signed with the IAEA, as well as UN Security Council resolutions," said Gibbs.

"We will demand that IAEA inspectors have unfettered access to the facility, to personnel, to documents surrounding the facility," he added.

I think it will show the world, and I think the onus is on the Iranians to show the world, that the program that they have is for - is a peaceful program to create energy, rather than a secret program for nuclear weapons," said Gibbs. "I think if the Iranians are unwilling to discuss something that should have been reported to the IAEA years ago, I think that's quite telling."

Iran meanwhile cautioned Western powers it could curb cooperation further if they repeated "past mistakes".

Iranian MP Mohammad Karami Rad suggested parliament might seek withdrawal from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) if Thursday's Geneva talks with major powers fail and "if the Zionists and America continue their pressure on Iran" - a reference to policies including economic sanctions.

The Islamic Republic's nuclear energy agency chief said on Tuesday that Iran would not discuss any issues related to its nuclear "rights" at its meeting with six world powers in Geneva on Thursday.

Ali Akbar Salehi, head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, made clear this included a newly disclosed uranium enrichment plant which has drawn Western condemnation.

His comments seemed certain to disappoint the United States which has called on Iran to come clean about its nuclear program. Israel, the U.S. and other Western nations suspect the program is aimed at making bombs; Tehran insists it is for purely civilian purposes.

"We are not going to discuss anything related to our nuclear rights, but we can discuss about disarmament, we can discuss about non-proliferation and other general issues," Salehi told a news conference.

"The new site is part of our rights and there is no need to discuss it," he said, adding Tehran would not abandon its nuclear activities "even for a second".

The United States and its Western allies have made clear they will focus on Iran's nuclear program at the Geneva meeting. Iran has offered wide-ranging security talks.

Nonetheless, an aide to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Tuesday that Iran wanted Thursday's talks to be successful.

"The Geneva talks are a golden and a unique opportunity for the American government," Ali Akbar Javanfekr, Ahmadinejad's press adviser, said in a statement to Reuters.

"These talks between Iran and world powers can open a new window of understanding and cooperation based on justice and peace for both sides," he said.

He also stressed that the West had to change its approach towards the Islamic Republic.

"These talks are a very precise test to prove the West's honesty and their commitment to change," Javanfekr said. "After these talks the ball will be in the West's, and especially America's, court."

Iran to set time soon for inspection of second nuke site

Salehi was earlier quoted as saying that Iran would soon inform the United Nations nuclear watchdog of a timetable for inspection of the new plant, its second uranium enrichment facility.

"Yes, the inspectors will come and inspect," Salehi said, adding Tehran was in constant contact with the UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

"We are working out a timetable for the inspection and we will soon be writing a letter to them about the location of the facility and others," he said, without elaborating.

The exposure of a second nuclear fuel facility, under construction south of Tehran, added urgency to the rare meeting in Geneva on Thursday.

Iran conducted missile tests on Sunday and Monday, further ratcheting up the tension with Western powers.

U.S. President Barack Obama has demanded that Iran come clean on its disputed nuclear program and a White House spokesman on Monday urged "immediate unfettered access" to the new site.

Iran has rejected Western condemnation of the new facility, saying it is legal and open to investigation to the UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Press TV, Iran's English-language state television, said Salehi had noted that the plant was under construction within the framework of IAEA regulations, saying, "Iran has taken all the precautionary steps to safeguard its nuclear facilities."

Citing its interview with Salehi, Press TV added: "Iran says it will soon inform the International Atomic Energy Agency of a timetable for inspection of its recently announced nuclear facility."

"Salehi said that his country will try to resolve the issue both politically and technically with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany (P5+1) and the IAEA," Press TV said on its website.

Ali Asghar Soltanieh, Iran's envoy to the IAEA, told the BBC on Monday he had had a couple of meetings with IAEA inspectors and it was agreed they would be given access to the site "in the near future". He gave no date.

The United States and its Western allies have made clear they will focus on Iran's nuclear program at the Geneva meeting. Iran has offered wide-ranging security talks but says it will not discuss its nuclear "rights."

Israel, the U.S. and other Western nations suspect Iran is trying to develop a nuclear bomb capability. Iran, a major oil producer, says its nuclear work is solely for generating electricity.

"It is against our tenets, it is against our religion to produce, use, hold or have nuclear weapons or arsenal, how can we more clearly state our position, since 1974 we have been saying this," Press TV quoted Salehi as saying.

Iran parliament warns against foreign pressure

Also on Tuesday, Iranian lawmakers warned the U.S. and other world powers against further pressures over Tehran's disputed nuclear program, just days ahead of the key international meeting.

Iran's parliament lashed out at criticism over the previously unknown uranium enrichment facility, but did not elaborate on what action would be taken if the pressure continued.

"If the 5+1 repeats the past mistakes, the parliament will put other decisions on agenda," lawmakers said in a statement, referring to the five members of the Security Council and Germany.

Parliament's warning could refer to a bill awaiting ratification in parliament that calls on the government to speed up its uranium enrichment activities.

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      1.   A pointless cat and mouse game 13:09  |  Mark Leaman 29/09/09
      2.   what a joke 14:05  |  Yaron 29/09/09
      3.   How Many Iranian Officials Does It Take To Tell The Truth? 14:51  |  Lavi 29/09/09
      4.   What a Joke? 14:54  |  US Taxpayer 29/09/09
      5.   Iran needs to be disarmed completely 14:56  |  Chaim Ben Kahan 29/09/09
      6.   If I were Obama .... 15:00  |  Tova M. 29/09/09
      7.   Masters for treachery 15:04  |  JHB 29/09/09
      8.   Rights 15:15  |  John 29/09/09
      9.   This is Iran`s only Rational Option 15:29  |  Milad 29/09/09
      10.   Iran is right & israel isnt a member of iaea so has no say 15:49  |  Ezra 29/09/09
      11.   who is holding the cards - who is in a position of strength? 15:49  |  Avi 29/09/09
      12.   Iran has every right to its national nuclear program... 16:03  |  bat yam 29/09/09
      13.   #4 What a Joke 16:06  |  Joshua 29/09/09
      14.   So, let Iran withdraw from NPT 16:08  |  Paul Freedman 29/09/09
      15.   Iran Learns from Israel 16:10  |  ARTH 29/09/09
      16.   If you continue pressing Iran...... 16:20  |  Siad 29/09/09
      17.   Obama is more concerned with 2016 Olympics 17:03  |  *BEN JABO 29/09/09
      18.   So, let Iran withdraw from NPT 17:19  |  Mark Lincoln 29/09/09
      19.   Disclosure of facilities under original NPT 17:26  |  Mark Lincoln 29/09/09
      20.   Israel needs to be held accountable 17:36  |  Kanwal 29/09/09
      21.   Obama will do NOTHING--Israel needs Russian help on Iran 17:44  |  Voice of Reason 29/09/09
      22.   Someone should give Ahmadinhejad a history book. 17:47  |  Murray of Montreal 29/09/09
      23.   what`s the issue? they are lying and hiding the nukes 17:51  |  pinocchio 29/09/09
      24.   Iran has learned Israels game 17:51  |  Darwin 29/09/09
      25.   No need to refuse 18:29  |  A TRUE American 29/09/09
      26.   Chaim Ben Kahan 18:32  |  Jim 29/09/09
      27.   Iran refuses, Israel refuses 18:50  |  John Austin 29/09/09
      28.   #15 Iran learns from Israel 19:04  |  Joshua 29/09/09
      29.   Excellent idea, let`s keep pressure... 19:11  |  17 29/09/09
      30.   Milad 19:33  |  Persian Kitty 29/09/09
      31.   Does`nt Israel have nukes? 19:37  |  Eli 29/09/09
      32.   To Siad # 16, 15 & 8 19:54  |  Andrei 29/09/09
      33.   Iran and Obama: to no 6 19:59  |  Rigoletto 29/09/09
      34.   hahaha #5 Chaim...you need a pill!! lol 20:20  |  Ice 29/09/09
      35.   #6 Tova-- 20:21  |  Ice 29/09/09
      36.   #13 JJoshua re to #4 20:31  |  Ice 29/09/09
      37.   its all inthe money 20:33  |  yakub 29/09/09
      38.   what a joke 20:36  |  Bedouin 29/09/09
      39.   #4 20:39  |  Harold 29/09/09
      40.   A lot of Israelis on this thread telling 21:03  |  Chris Linthwaite 29/09/09
      41.   to US tax payer 21:13  |  another US tax payer 29/09/09
      42.   to # 17 21:18  |  ross 29/09/09
      43.   The US/Israel advocate War/Occupation - Are those Moral Values? 21:27  |  Marc Leb 29/09/09
      44.   28 21:30  |  zionist forever 29/09/09
      45.   Israel will have to do the worlds dirty work again. 21:35  |  4:20 29/09/09
      46.   There you go Israel, Iran pondering another Israel precedence. 21:35  |  Maureen Ann 29/09/09
      47.   #5 that`s rich coming from a Israeli - Israel should be at Hague 21:35  |  Marc Leb 29/09/09
      48.   #30 21:48  |  Ice 29/09/09
      49.   To Persian Kitty: But does the R.G. know where you live??? 21:59  |  Voice of Reason 29/09/09
      50.   quit npt = legitimacy to attack Iran 22:02  |  Joey 29/09/09
      51.   Israel`s direct pressure may hurt more than help, work quitely 22:05  |  Bloodyscot 29/09/09
      52.   making demands to the world 22:18  |  Brazen 29/09/09
      53.   # 30. get some education, but not on my taxes 22:29  |  joshua 29/09/09
      54.   #13. Don`t fake my name please 22:33  |  joshua 29/09/09
      55.   True Colors/Intentions 22:34  |  Brazen 29/09/09
      56.   White House nut case 22:38  |  Brod 29/09/09
      57.   #29 Linthwaite - Then there a lot on this thread 22:38  |  *BEN JABO 29/09/09
      58.   #30, Instead of watching TV & drinking bad bear... 22:42  |  joshua 29/09/09
      59.   US Taxpayer - Detroit 22:42  |  *BEN JABO 29/09/09
      60.   Mark Leaman - Agreed, Australia should INVADE 22:45  |  Mark of Lewiston 29/09/09
      61.   # 25 Swiss Dino "Everyone knows the truth." 22:58  |  Evan of Oz trail ya 29/09/09
      62.   THE USA? 23:00  |  billy jack 29/09/09
      63.   Illogical! How do you prove a negative? 23:03  |  Logic 29/09/09
      64.   #31 - another us taxpayor 23:08  |  Ice 29/09/09
      65.   BROD - just wanna make sure you read this.. 23:17  |  Ice 29/09/09
      66.   #38 are you joking?????? 23:28  |  Siad 29/09/09
      67.   Can`t deal with N.Korea, why threaten Iran? 00:11  |  Natalia Kempinsky 30/09/09
      68.   It will not work. 00:14  |  YU KIM 30/09/09
      69.   By December Iran will break the Western camp 00:18  |  Vasi Kremper 30/09/09
      70.   White House -----Iran 00:34  |  The Teacher/Instruct 30/09/09
      71.   re bedouin 00:36  |  billy jack 30/09/09
      72.   IAEA Has to prove it, and they have found no evidence 01:07  |  Marc Leb 30/09/09
      73.   Correction for #41: Response Message Meant for # 31 01:57  |  joshua 30/09/09
      74.   Correction for #46: Response Message Meant for # 31 01:59  |  joshua 30/09/09
      75.   #47 02:07  |  Joshua 30/09/09
      76.   that mean the two solutions will fail 02:13  |  avi 30/09/09
      77.   It`s impossible to prove a negative. 02:49  |  peacelover 30/09/09
      78.   demand??? 03:05  |  Jim 30/09/09
      79.   where the onus lies 03:08  |  Jim 30/09/09
      80.   yell all you want 03:15  |  Jim 30/09/09
      81.   blame game 03:38  |  Jim 30/09/09
      82.   the accuser wants iran to prove it...lol 04:03  |  VIPER 30/09/09
      83.   Person impersonating Swiss (Dino) 04:47  |  David Israel 30/09/09
      84.   blame game 04:52  |  Jim 30/09/09
      85.   #34 Maureeen Ann 05:27  |  Jim 30/09/09
      86.   #8 Dear John 08:16  |  Ed 30/09/09
      87.   #80 Jim - Yes, yell all you want 20:39  |  *BEN JABO 30/09/09
      88.   answer to Joshua 21:22  |  flora 30/09/09
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