Statement by Iran’s Permanent Representative before the Security Council

Statement by Iran’s Permanent Representative before the Security Council

by Dr Javad Zarif (source: Iran's UN Representative's site )
Saturday, December 23, 2006

(This is the introduction of the text. For the full version of the speech see attached file)

In the name of God, theCompassionate, the Merciful

Mr. President,
Today is a sad day for the non-proliferation regime. Only a few days ago, the Prime Minister of the Israeli regime boasted about his regime’s nuclear weapons. But instead of even raising an eyebrow -- let alone addressing -- that serious threat to international peace and security and the non-proliferation regime, the Security Council is imposing sanctions on a member of the NPT that -- unlike Israel:
· has never attacked or threatened to use force against any member of the United Nations,
· has categorically rejected development, stockpiling and use of nuclear weapons on ideological and strategic grounds,[1]
· was prepared to provide guarantees that it would never withdraw from the NPT,[2]
· has placed all its nuclear facilities under IAEA Safeguards,[3]
· fully implemented the Additional Protocol for over two years[4] and stated its readiness to resume its implementation,[5]
· allowed over 2000 person days of IAEA scrutiny of all its related -- and even unrelated – facilities,[6] resulting in repeated statements by the Agency on the absence of any evidence of diversion,[7]
· voluntarily suspended its lawful enrichment activities for over two years, verified by the IAEA,[8] in order to build confidence and provide ample opportunity to find a mutually acceptable solution – if that ever were the intention of its negotiating partners,
· presented various far-reaching proposals to ensure permanent non-diversion, and
· has consistently called for time-bound and unconditional negotiations to find a mutually acceptable solution; a call that was repeated on Thursday by the Iranian Foreign Minister.

Full Version of the Speech: http://www.un.int/iran/statements/securitycouncil/articles/Dr. Zarif Statement befor the Security Council. Dec. 23.2006.pdf

[1] Religious Fatwa by the Leader of the Islamic Republic reflected in Kayhan, 6 November 2004. Also see the Iranian Reply of August 22, 2006 to the 5+1 Package, S/2006/806, P. 2 and 12.
[2] See the Iranian Reply of August 22, 2006 to the 5+1 Package, S/2006/806, P. 14.
[3] See, inter alia, GOV/2006/64, Para 20.
[4] IAEA- GOV/2006/15, Para 30: “until 6 February 2006, implemented the Additional Protocol as if it were in force, including by providing, in a timely manner, the requisite declarations and access to locations.”
[5] See the Iranian Reply of August 22, 2006 to the 5+1 Package, S/2006/806, P. 13.
[6] See, inter alia, IAEA – GOV/2006/15, paragraph 30, IAEA – GOV/2004/83, paragraph 6, IAEA – GOV/2005/67, paragraph 56 and IAEA - GOV/OR.1119* Issued: April 2005, paragraph 103..
[7] See, inter alia, IAEA - GOV/2003/75, paragraph 52 and IAEA - GOV/2006/15, paragraph 53
[8] See, inter alia, Statement of the IAEA's Director General at the Board of Governors on March 8, 2004, IAEA - GOV/2004/11, paragraphs 72-73, IAEA - GOV/2004/34, paragraphs 40 and 43, , IAEA - GOV/2004/60 paragraphs 55 and 60, , IAEA - GOV/2005/67 paragraphs 53 and 55, IAEA - GOV/2005/87 paragraph 17.