Resume negotiations unconditionally: NAM on Iran

Havana, Sep 17 (UNI) The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) has called for resumption of negotiations without any pre-conditions to resolve Iran's standoff with the US over its nuclear programme.

In a statement adopted at their 14th summit here last evening, leaders of the 116-member grouping also stressed that diplomacy and dialogue through peaceful means must be continued to find a long-term solution to the issue.

The statement also called for enhanced cooperation with the involvement of all necessary parties to promote international confidence to facilitate the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'s efforts to resolve the outstanding issues in this regard.

The leaders reiterated their positions on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. They reaffirmed the basic right of all states to ''develop research, production and use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes, without any discrimination and in conformity with their legal obligations.'' ''States' choices and decisions in the field of peaceful uses of nuclear technology and its fuel cycle policies must be respected,'' the statement said.

It recognised the IAEA as the sole competent authority for verification of the safeguards obligations of member states and stressed that there should be no ''undue pressure or interference'' in the agency's activities, especially its verification process.

The summit welcomed the cooperation extended by Iran to the IAEA, including those voluntary confidence-building measures undertaken to resolve the remaining issues.

The leaders noted the assessment of the IAEA Director-General that all nuclear material declared by Iran had been accounted for. They noted, at the same time, that the process for drawing a conclusion with regard to the absence of undeclared material and activities in Iran is an ongoing and time-consuming process.

In this regard, the summit encouraged Iran to urgently continue to cooperate actively and fully with the IAEA to resolve outstanding issues.

They stressed the distinction between legal obligations of states and voluntary confidence building measures undertaken to resolve difficult issues and said such voluntary undertakings were not legal safeguards obligations.

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