Former AEOI Chief: Resolving Nuclear Dispute With West Requires Serious Talks

Tehran, July 3, IRNA – Former head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Gholam-Reza Aqazadeh said Tuesday that resolving the present dispute with the West over Iranˈs peaceful nuclear program requires ˈserious talks.ˈ He suggested Iranˈs president-elect Hassan Rohani to ˈenter serious and scientific talks with the Westˈ in order to settle the existing nuclear dispute. Speaking to reporters, Aqazadeh said imposing further and tougher sanctions on Iran would have no effect on the settlement of the nuclear issue. He stressed that the main issue currently existed between the two sides is ˈconfidence-building.ˈ ˈWe and the West should attract the trust of each other as it is a two-sided issue,ˈ Aqazadeh, the AEOIˈs chief for 12 years (1997-2009) told reporters. He is currently a member of Iranˈs Expediency Council which plays an advisory role for the Supreme Leader. He advised western states to think of more practical and agreeable solutions to the problem instead of using threats. ˈSuch solutions would certainly have positive answers,ˈ said Aqazadeh./end