Iran offers to bring foreign firms in program
(AFP)
Updated: 2005-09-18 08:52

"This represents the most far-reaching step, outside all requirements of the NPT (Non Proliferation Treaty), being proposed by Iran as a further confidence building measure," he noted.

He also suggested that South Africa join the negotiations to resolve the crisis over Tehran's nuclear program, noting Pretoria's active role in the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA's) board of governors.

Iran agreed to suspend sensitive uranium enrichment activities last November under the so-called Paris agreement, but Tehran resumed its fuel-cycle work in August after angrily rejecting the latest offer by Britain, France and Germany.

The three EU countries want to wean Tehran off its suspected nuclear arms ambitions with economic and security incentives.

Ahmadinejad told reporters here that the negotiations should involve other countries, specifically mentioning South Africa. "It is not going to be limited to a few countries," he said.

Taking the podium after Ahmadinejad, South African President Thabo Mbeki told the General Assembly: "With regard to the issue of Iran, we firmly believe that negotiations should resume, and the matter settled within the context of the provisions of the NPT and with the full participation of the IAEA."

Mbeki made no reference to the Iranian proposal.

Ahmadinejad, who met with the British, French and German foreign ministers on Thursday, unveiled his new proposals two days before the IAEA was to meet in Vienna to consider a US and European Union push to haul Tehran before the UN Security Council for possible sanctions for resuming sensitive fuel cycle work.

He said that the UN General Assembly should also create an ad hoc committee to study and report on "possible practical measures and strategies for complete disarmament."

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