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TEHRAN: NK conflict could be resolved through regional talks: Larija

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  • TEHRAN: NK conflict could be resolved through regional talks: Larija

    Tehran Times
    July 1 2011


    Nagorno-Karabakh conflict could be resolved through regional talks: Larijani
    Tehran Times Political Desk


    TEHRAN - Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani has said that the
    Nagorno-Karabakh conflict could be resolved only through regional
    talks and without the intervention of major powers.


    The Majlis speaker made the remarks in an interview with the
    Azerbaijani news agency Trend, published on June 30, just ahead of his
    official visit to Azerbaijan.

    `We have previously stated and now repeat that regional conflicts
    should be resolved through negotiations inside the region,' Larijani
    said when asked about the possibility of Iran's mediation between
    Armenia and Azerbaijan to help settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

    According to Trend, the conflict between the two South Caucasus
    countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against
    Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in
    1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France, and the
    U.S. - are currently holding the peace negotiations.

    Following are excerpts of Larijani's interview with Trend regarding
    the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, role of Iran and Turkey in resolving
    regional conflicts, and Iran's nuclear program.

    Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

    We have previously stated and now repeat that the regional conflicts
    should be resolved through negotiations inside the region.

    Experience shows that when the major powers interfere in the process
    of achieving solutions for regional conflicts, the process becomes
    lengthy. They pursue their own goals in this regard.

    The OSCE Minsk Group has been holding talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh
    conflict settlement for several years. What results have been
    achieved? From this point of view, we reasonably believe that the
    negotiations to resolve such conflicts can be better held inside the
    region because regional countries can better understand each other.

    Role of Iran, Turkey in resolving regional conflicts

    Turkey is a very important country and Iran exchanges views with this
    country in various fields.

    A well-known fact is that the economic cooperation between Iran and
    Turkey is at a high level... we have friendly and good relations with
    this country. We closely and continuously exchange views on many
    regional issues.

    If the Muslim countries unite... they can prevent the interference of
    many countries in the region, which want to create problems there.

    We can demonstrate cooperation between Iran, Azerbaijan and Turkey as
    the exemplary cooperation in the region. All three countries well
    understand and communicate with each other and cooperate in many
    spheres.

    Iran nuclear program

    There are no `knots' in Iran's nuclear program, since there is
    IAEA-developed special legal system for peaceful nuclear activities.

    The countries that have signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
    operate under the control of this system. This organization should
    support the country that is a member of the IAEA in the field of
    peaceful nuclear activities, as well as help if it needs.

    I think that the problem in discussions regarding the peaceful nuclear
    activities of Iran is that the U.S. and Western countries adopt the
    policy of `restrictions' against Iran.

    The U.S. and Western countries want the Muslim country not to have
    knowledge in nuclear technology. They want to keep nuclear technology
    in their hands. They want the Muslim world to depend on them after the
    natural resources are used up. So, they oppress Muslim countries.

    Another important factor is that the new technologies create potential
    for the development of science in Muslim countries. The Western
    countries are concerned not only over the fact that Iran has gained
    access to nuclear technology, but also that Iran has succeeded in
    other new technologies.

    The main problem is that they do not want to reconcile themselves to
    the changes which are taking place in the contemporary world

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