Ayhan Simsek - The New Anatolian / Ankara
Ambassador Dowlatabadi tells TNA that Iran feels much more trust in Turkey and is ready to discuss suggested confidence-building measures aimed at easing concerns of the intl community
'We can discuss these suggestions as part of a package. As you know the discussion includes nuclear enrichment, developing nuclear fuel, but isn't limited to that. If any of this was done on Turkish soil, it would be better for us,' Dowlatabadi says, stressing that they favor Turkey's involvement.
Iranian ambassador underlines importance of security agreement between the 2 countries signed in 2004 and says since then Turkey's security is also Iran's. Saying that Iran paid in blood in struggle against PKK, Dowlatabadi adds that Iran and Turkey don't constitute threat to each other, on the contrary they provide mutual security
Dowlatabadi rules out competition between Turkey and Iran on Iraq and says both favor the unity, territorial integrity and stronger central govt in Iraq. Iranian ambassador accuses US, Israel of seeking a civil, sectarian war in Iraq
Iran has greater confidence in Turkey than Western actors and is ready to discuss carrying out some of its sensitive nuclear activity on Turkish soil, as part of a package aiming to create more confidence in the international community, Iranian Ambassador Firooz Dowlatabadi told The New Anatolian on Monday.
Talks between Russia and Iran on a proposal for joint uranium enrichment in Russian soil failed to produce an agreement on Monday. But the Iranian government said that they welcome any proposal that will preserve Iran's right to pursue peaceful nuclear energy and allay the concerns of certain Western states.
Iranian Ambassador Dowlatabadi, speaking exclusively with TNA, stressed that Iran is ready to discuss several suggestions for confidence-building on Iran's nuclear program and added:
"We have much more confidence in Turkey. We can discuss these suggestions as part of a package. As you know the discussion includes nuclear enrichment, developing nuclear fuel, but is not limited to that. If any of these would be on Turkish soil, it would be better for us. The issue has technical and legal aspects and can be further discussed in detail by the experts. But as I have said we are ready to discuss Turkey's involvement in this process."
Ambassador Dowlatabadi, before heading to Tehran on Monday for consultations, spoke with TNA about Iran's nuclear program, Turkish-Iranian relations and recent developments in Iraq.
Here's what Dowlatabadi had to tell us:
TNA: Mr. Ambassador, the Turkish government has been criticized by several U.S. and European Union officials for being "too soft" against Iran concerning its nuclear program, which they described also as a threat to Turkey's own security. How does Iran view the policy of the Turkish government so far on the Iranian nuclear program?
DOWLATABADI: Well, Turkey's policy so far has been an acceptable one. I can tell you that we expect our Turkish brothers and friends to double-check all the information that they receive either from the U.S., Israel or some other countries concerning our nuclear program. Because so far, much of the information they were given was distorted and manipulated. Especially the data delivered by the U.S. ambassador to the IAEA on his recent visit to Ankara.
TNA: Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, following a meeting with his German counterpart late last month, urged Iran to be more transparent and in full cooperation with the UN's watchdog on its nuclear program. How do you see these suggestions, are you going to consider them?
DOWLATABADI: This expectation to be more transparent on our nuclear program is in parallel with the expectations raised by various other countries. And we are doing our ut most to be as transparent as possible concerning our nuclear program. But we also expect others like the U.S. and Israel also to be transparent with their nuclear programs. We have called on the Turkish side, diplomats, parliamentarians, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the media to come and visit our nuclear facilities and learn about our program. Now we're waiting for a possible visit from Turkish parliamentarians and I hope that this visit will be realized soon.
TNA: Are there some guarantees given by Tehran to Ankara concerning the nuclear program, that it will by no means be a threat to Turkey?
DOWLATABADI: First of all, I have to recall that Iran's nuclear program has never had a military dimension. Indeed this fact has been accepted by IAEA head Mohamed ElBaradei several times. Secondly, our countries signed a very significant security agreement in 2004, during the visit of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. And accordingly, Iran views that Turkey's security is also Iran's security. As you know the Turkish-Iranian border has remained unchanged over the past 1,000 year. During the time of the founder of the Turkish Republic Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, Iran agreed to make some geopolitical territorial revisions on our border, which opened Turkey a sphere towards the Caucasus and Central Asia. Last but not least, don't forget our fight against the PKK (terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party). We Iranians gave martyrs in the struggle against the PKK. After all, can you tell me any other two countries in the world which have such strong bonds? This shows nothing but the very fact that Iran and Turkey are not a threat to each other, on the contrary they provide mutual security to each other. What can be a better guarantee for Turkey then that?
On the other hand, look at what the U.S. and Israel are doing. The Americans are, despite their strength in Iraq, doing nothing against the PKK but supporting them. It is the Americans and Israel who also aim for a civil and sectarian war in Iraq. These are the things which constitute real threats to Turkey's national security. Israel's national security paper, which has been kept secret, foresees that Turkey should be kept weak in the region. Because Israel believes that its existence today is due to the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and today they fear Turkey becoming stronger in the region. They try to be nice to Turkey on the outside, but behind closed doors they develop sinister plots against Turkey.
The U.S. doesn't want any strong Muslim country in the region and aims for division of Turkey, Iran, and Saudi Arabia in the long run, through well-developed plans.
TNA: It's not only the U.S. and Israel but also several other European countries who express concern that Iran's real aim might be to develop a nuclear bomb. But you're saying that it is totally out of the question. So what do you think that the real aim of the Western pressure on Iran's nuclear program aims for?
DOWLATABADI: I believe that behind that there is the strong tendency in the Islamic world towards stronger economic and scientific capacity which raises concern among them. They know that no country can achieve success in the highly competitive global world without achieving nuclear technology. Nuclear technology is becoming more and more important in the fields of energy, health and even agriculture. And they're trying to prevent us from reaching that technology.
TNA: Without a doubt, there is a large gap of confidence with the Western states and Iran on this nuclear program issue. Don't you think some formulas can be found, such as Iran temporarily doing this nuclear enrichment outside its borders, under an international guarantee, also with the involvement of several reliable countries? And also, what do you think about Turkey's involvement?
DOWLATABADI: Yes there is a problem of a lack of confidence, but this is not because of us, but because of the U.S. and Israel. The UN has all the means for inspection of the nuclear sites and the activities in Iran. But look at the U.S., it is the only country which has used a nuclear weapon so far and it still continues violating its commitments by doing nothing to reduce the number of its nuclear weapons. Israel moreover has no cooperation with the UN, it has nuclear weapons and continues its nuclear activities without any inspection by the UN at all. It continues aggressive policies against its neighbors. And we're talking about confidence-building, so why doesn't Israel have such a responsibility?
Now, we are part of international agreements and we will continue to fulfill our responsibilities. And we still think that some of the suggestions for confidence-building can be further discussed. We have much more confidence in Turkey. We can discuss these suggestions as part of a package. As you know, the discussion includes nuclear enrichment, developing nuclear fuel, but is not limited to that. If any of this would be on Turkish soil, it would be better for us. The issue has technical and legal aspects and can be further discussed in detail by the experts. But as I have said we are ready to discuss Turkey's involvement in this process. We are also calling on the Turkish side and companies to enter into nuclear projects inside Iran.
TNA: Another important issue in our region is Iraq, and recently Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul was quoted by his Czech counterpart as saying that if the U.S.-led coalition forces were to leave Iraq, then an Iranian-type radical Islam would be strengthened in Iraq and then Tehran would also be able to export this to Turkey. Have you asked for a clarification from the Turkish side? Is there really a competition between Ankara and Tehran on the Iraq issue?
DOWLATABADI: No, we haven't sought any clarification. We already knew that these supposed statements had no foundation and Mr. Gul already denied it. I have to tell you that today between Iran and Turkey today the very best cooperation is on Iraq. We favor the unity and territorial integrity of Iraq, and so does Turkey. We want all ethnic and religious groups to be represented in the government, which is also what Turkey wants. We are supporting Kurds taking part in the central government and we want this central government to be strengthened, and Turkey also is advocating that. Last but not least, we want the withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq, and Turkey with some reservations supports this idea. How can we talk about disagreements after all that?
TNA: Mr. Ambassador, today you are leaving Ankara for regular consultations with Tehran. Lastly, I want to ask you this: What main impressions and ideas will you convey to Tehran?
DOWLATABADI: Without a doubt, Turkey is willing to further develop relations with Iran. Turkey wants a peaceful and democratic solution to the nuclear standoff. And Turkey shares with us the desire to further continue our mutual high-level visits.
http://www.thenewanatolian.com/tna-2267.html
Ambassador Dowlatabadi tells TNA that Iran feels much more trust in Turkey and is ready to discuss suggested confidence-building measures aimed at easing concerns of the intl community
'We can discuss these suggestions as part of a package. As you know the discussion includes nuclear enrichment, developing nuclear fuel, but isn't limited to that. If any of this was done on Turkish soil, it would be better for us,' Dowlatabadi says, stressing that they favor Turkey's involvement.
Iranian ambassador underlines importance of security agreement between the 2 countries signed in 2004 and says since then Turkey's security is also Iran's. Saying that Iran paid in blood in struggle against PKK, Dowlatabadi adds that Iran and Turkey don't constitute threat to each other, on the contrary they provide mutual security
Dowlatabadi rules out competition between Turkey and Iran on Iraq and says both favor the unity, territorial integrity and stronger central govt in Iraq. Iranian ambassador accuses US, Israel of seeking a civil, sectarian war in Iraq
Iran has greater confidence in Turkey than Western actors and is ready to discuss carrying out some of its sensitive nuclear activity on Turkish soil, as part of a package aiming to create more confidence in the international community, Iranian Ambassador Firooz Dowlatabadi told The New Anatolian on Monday.
Talks between Russia and Iran on a proposal for joint uranium enrichment in Russian soil failed to produce an agreement on Monday. But the Iranian government said that they welcome any proposal that will preserve Iran's right to pursue peaceful nuclear energy and allay the concerns of certain Western states.
Iranian Ambassador Dowlatabadi, speaking exclusively with TNA, stressed that Iran is ready to discuss several suggestions for confidence-building on Iran's nuclear program and added:
"We have much more confidence in Turkey. We can discuss these suggestions as part of a package. As you know the discussion includes nuclear enrichment, developing nuclear fuel, but is not limited to that. If any of these would be on Turkish soil, it would be better for us. The issue has technical and legal aspects and can be further discussed in detail by the experts. But as I have said we are ready to discuss Turkey's involvement in this process."
Ambassador Dowlatabadi, before heading to Tehran on Monday for consultations, spoke with TNA about Iran's nuclear program, Turkish-Iranian relations and recent developments in Iraq.
Here's what Dowlatabadi had to tell us:
TNA: Mr. Ambassador, the Turkish government has been criticized by several U.S. and European Union officials for being "too soft" against Iran concerning its nuclear program, which they described also as a threat to Turkey's own security. How does Iran view the policy of the Turkish government so far on the Iranian nuclear program?
DOWLATABADI: Well, Turkey's policy so far has been an acceptable one. I can tell you that we expect our Turkish brothers and friends to double-check all the information that they receive either from the U.S., Israel or some other countries concerning our nuclear program. Because so far, much of the information they were given was distorted and manipulated. Especially the data delivered by the U.S. ambassador to the IAEA on his recent visit to Ankara.
TNA: Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, following a meeting with his German counterpart late last month, urged Iran to be more transparent and in full cooperation with the UN's watchdog on its nuclear program. How do you see these suggestions, are you going to consider them?
DOWLATABADI: This expectation to be more transparent on our nuclear program is in parallel with the expectations raised by various other countries. And we are doing our ut most to be as transparent as possible concerning our nuclear program. But we also expect others like the U.S. and Israel also to be transparent with their nuclear programs. We have called on the Turkish side, diplomats, parliamentarians, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the media to come and visit our nuclear facilities and learn about our program. Now we're waiting for a possible visit from Turkish parliamentarians and I hope that this visit will be realized soon.
TNA: Are there some guarantees given by Tehran to Ankara concerning the nuclear program, that it will by no means be a threat to Turkey?
DOWLATABADI: First of all, I have to recall that Iran's nuclear program has never had a military dimension. Indeed this fact has been accepted by IAEA head Mohamed ElBaradei several times. Secondly, our countries signed a very significant security agreement in 2004, during the visit of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. And accordingly, Iran views that Turkey's security is also Iran's security. As you know the Turkish-Iranian border has remained unchanged over the past 1,000 year. During the time of the founder of the Turkish Republic Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, Iran agreed to make some geopolitical territorial revisions on our border, which opened Turkey a sphere towards the Caucasus and Central Asia. Last but not least, don't forget our fight against the PKK (terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party). We Iranians gave martyrs in the struggle against the PKK. After all, can you tell me any other two countries in the world which have such strong bonds? This shows nothing but the very fact that Iran and Turkey are not a threat to each other, on the contrary they provide mutual security to each other. What can be a better guarantee for Turkey then that?
On the other hand, look at what the U.S. and Israel are doing. The Americans are, despite their strength in Iraq, doing nothing against the PKK but supporting them. It is the Americans and Israel who also aim for a civil and sectarian war in Iraq. These are the things which constitute real threats to Turkey's national security. Israel's national security paper, which has been kept secret, foresees that Turkey should be kept weak in the region. Because Israel believes that its existence today is due to the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and today they fear Turkey becoming stronger in the region. They try to be nice to Turkey on the outside, but behind closed doors they develop sinister plots against Turkey.
The U.S. doesn't want any strong Muslim country in the region and aims for division of Turkey, Iran, and Saudi Arabia in the long run, through well-developed plans.
TNA: It's not only the U.S. and Israel but also several other European countries who express concern that Iran's real aim might be to develop a nuclear bomb. But you're saying that it is totally out of the question. So what do you think that the real aim of the Western pressure on Iran's nuclear program aims for?
DOWLATABADI: I believe that behind that there is the strong tendency in the Islamic world towards stronger economic and scientific capacity which raises concern among them. They know that no country can achieve success in the highly competitive global world without achieving nuclear technology. Nuclear technology is becoming more and more important in the fields of energy, health and even agriculture. And they're trying to prevent us from reaching that technology.
TNA: Without a doubt, there is a large gap of confidence with the Western states and Iran on this nuclear program issue. Don't you think some formulas can be found, such as Iran temporarily doing this nuclear enrichment outside its borders, under an international guarantee, also with the involvement of several reliable countries? And also, what do you think about Turkey's involvement?
DOWLATABADI: Yes there is a problem of a lack of confidence, but this is not because of us, but because of the U.S. and Israel. The UN has all the means for inspection of the nuclear sites and the activities in Iran. But look at the U.S., it is the only country which has used a nuclear weapon so far and it still continues violating its commitments by doing nothing to reduce the number of its nuclear weapons. Israel moreover has no cooperation with the UN, it has nuclear weapons and continues its nuclear activities without any inspection by the UN at all. It continues aggressive policies against its neighbors. And we're talking about confidence-building, so why doesn't Israel have such a responsibility?
Now, we are part of international agreements and we will continue to fulfill our responsibilities. And we still think that some of the suggestions for confidence-building can be further discussed. We have much more confidence in Turkey. We can discuss these suggestions as part of a package. As you know, the discussion includes nuclear enrichment, developing nuclear fuel, but is not limited to that. If any of this would be on Turkish soil, it would be better for us. The issue has technical and legal aspects and can be further discussed in detail by the experts. But as I have said we are ready to discuss Turkey's involvement in this process. We are also calling on the Turkish side and companies to enter into nuclear projects inside Iran.
TNA: Another important issue in our region is Iraq, and recently Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul was quoted by his Czech counterpart as saying that if the U.S.-led coalition forces were to leave Iraq, then an Iranian-type radical Islam would be strengthened in Iraq and then Tehran would also be able to export this to Turkey. Have you asked for a clarification from the Turkish side? Is there really a competition between Ankara and Tehran on the Iraq issue?
DOWLATABADI: No, we haven't sought any clarification. We already knew that these supposed statements had no foundation and Mr. Gul already denied it. I have to tell you that today between Iran and Turkey today the very best cooperation is on Iraq. We favor the unity and territorial integrity of Iraq, and so does Turkey. We want all ethnic and religious groups to be represented in the government, which is also what Turkey wants. We are supporting Kurds taking part in the central government and we want this central government to be strengthened, and Turkey also is advocating that. Last but not least, we want the withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq, and Turkey with some reservations supports this idea. How can we talk about disagreements after all that?
TNA: Mr. Ambassador, today you are leaving Ankara for regular consultations with Tehran. Lastly, I want to ask you this: What main impressions and ideas will you convey to Tehran?
DOWLATABADI: Without a doubt, Turkey is willing to further develop relations with Iran. Turkey wants a peaceful and democratic solution to the nuclear standoff. And Turkey shares with us the desire to further continue our mutual high-level visits.
http://www.thenewanatolian.com/tna-2267.html
Perhaps you haven't been reading what Chirac has been saying regarding Iran?
Canavar, you disappoint.
