ANKARA - Turkey can play an important role in a resolution to Iran`s nuclear program controversy, said International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) DG Mohamed El Baradei on Thursday.
In an exclusive interview with Turkish private NTV channel, El Baradei underlined that Turkey is Iran`s neighbor, and a Muslim country.
``You have close historical relations with the Middle East and Iran, and you also have close relations with the West and the USA. You are a NATO member. You can understand the position of these countries and have an important role in bringing them to the negotiation table,`` he stressed.
Pointing out that solution of this controversy can contribute to settlement of Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Lebanon and Palestine issues, Baradei said, ``we should also discuss international community`s concerns over terrorism and human rights with Iran. If we can do this in an early stage and if Turkey can help the parties get closer to a compromise, this will be in the best interests of not only Turkey but also the entire world.``
NUCLEAR REACTOR
Turkey`s energy consumption was up 8 percent in 2005, El Baradei said when commenting on Turkey`s nuclear program.
Baradei expressed thought that Turkey`s decision to build a nuclear reactor is reasonable.
According to Baradei, nuclear energy can serve growth and development targets for the following 15 years.
``We are laying the necessary groundwork for constructing a reactor in Turkey, and we train some people,`` said Baradei.
Baradei stressed that nuclear energy is a clean energy resource.
``Possessing nuclear energy is a free will of a country. But, some of your neighbors will not like it. I propose countries to take measures and establish dialogue with their neighbors in case of any mishap. In this context, it is Turkey`s decision, but my advice is to be frank and transparent to the neighbors,`` he said.
IRAN CONTROVERSY
The important thing (regarding the solution of Iran`s nuclear program controversy) is to make parties sit at negotiation table, El Baradei said and noted that he is still optimistic that this controversy can be solved through diplomacy and dialogue.
``Because, a lasting and final solution can be found through diplomacy. I am also optimistic because both parties have seen that they have to work together,`` he stated.
According to El Baradei, Iran is an important power in the region, and it can play both a positive and a negative role in the stability of the Middle East.
``Nobody is questioning Iran`s right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. The thing, being told to Iran is to suspend its uranium enrichment initiatives for a few years, at least until necessary confidence is built. In return, we promise you to offer the technology used in nuclear initiatives, make trade agreements, and offer you new civilian aircraft,`` he said.
El Baradei noted that the proposal submitted to Iran by five UN Security Council members and Germany envisages some opportunities for this country to normalize its relations with Europe and the USA.
IRAN`S NUCLEAR WEAPON PRODUCTION CAPACITY
El Baradei said it is hard to talk about some definite dates, when commenting on when Iran can start producing nuclear weapons.
``But, we know that Iran knows so much about nuclear fuel production. For instance, they know how to enrich uranium. If you know this, you are not so away from producing nuclear weapons. But, you should also now how to convert uranium into weapons, and have the necessary equipment. We don`t know at what point Iran regards these two. According to our estimations, there are still five to ten years ahead of Iran to generate a nuclear weapon, of course, if this is what they want. But, I can say that we don`t see Iran as a country which can produce nuclear weapons tomorrow. And, therefore I am optimistic that we still have time for negotiations and diplomacy,`` he stated.
PROPOSAL TO IRAN
According to El Baradei, Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadi-Nejad will give his final response to this proposal in August. However, G-8 countries want to get the response no later than July 12th, he said.
Quoting his Iranian colleagues as saying that there are some indefinite aspects in the proposal as well as some positive aspects, Baradei said, ``these indefinite aspects can be solved through dialogue. Here is the key point: Will they suspend these initiatives before negotiations are launched, or sit at negotiation table without putting forth any conditions and make this suspension a matter of discussion?``
When he was recalled that also India, Pakistan and Israel have nuclear programs but they are not asked to give up these programs, and asked in what point Iran differs from these countries, Baradei said, ``because the regime to prevent proliferation of nuclear weapons is not a perfectly implemented regime.``
India, Pakistan and Israel did not sign this treaty in 1970, showing their security needs as a reason, and thus remained out of this regime, he pointed out.
PEOPLE AREN`T BORN AS TERRORISTS
Baradei said that first USA, Russia, France, China and Britain should diminish their ammunition if they really want to be successful (in their efforts), and stressed that these countries should implement the NPT, ban production of materials used in nuclear weapon production, and refrain from underlining strategic role of nuclear weapons.
``We should do everything to bring India, Pakistan and Israel closer to this regime, as much as we can,`` he noted.
``If you want to improve the climate of security, you should work to improve the conditions of people who are trying to live with an income below 1 USD a day and try to end poverty, pressure, despair, civil wars, wars between countries and exert efforts to develop WMDs, and ensure good management. People are not born as terrorists, they become terrorists in an environment (they are living in),`` El Baradei stressed.