Iran proposes live TV coverage of nuclear talks with West

USPA News - Iran has proposed live television coverage of its talks with western powers, saying the government has nothing to hide regarding its controversial nuclear program which many countries contend is intended to develop nuclear weapons, a foreign ministry spokesman said on Saturday. Ramin Mehman-Parast, a spokesman for Iran`s foreign ministry, told the semi-official Fars News Agency that the country has been transparent during talks with the Group of 5+1 (the five permanent United Nations Security Council members plus Germany) but that remaining issues are political in nature, not technical or legal.

"Iran`s nuclear issue has a specific framework. The talks that we have pursued have been so transparent and our proposals have been so specific that the Iranian side has even proposed a live TV coverage of the whole talks," Mehman-Parast was quoted as saying. "We have nothing to hide and we are proposing our ideas transparently." The spokesman also insisted the country intends to continue its nuclear program and will not give up its nuclear rights as a result of pressure from western countries. "Our disputes with the other party are neither technical nor legal but political," Mehman-Parast said on Saturday. International concerns regarding Iran`s nuclear activities have been increasing for decades. And while Iran has repeatedly stated that its nuclear program is for the peaceful purpose of providing energy, many countries contend it is seeking to develop nuclear weapons and may be close to obtain them. Earlier this year, allegations were made that the Iranian government may be attempting to destroy evidence of its nuclear activities. Satellite images obtained by the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) showed sanitation activity at the Parchin nuclear facility site where Iran is suspected to have conducted high explosives tests pertinent to the development of nuclear weapons. The DigitalGlobe satellite imagery from late May showed that two buildings at the same site as the suspected testing chamber have been demolished. The satellite images also show clear evidence of tracks likely made by heavy machinery during the demolition process and extensive evidence of earth displacement. The revelations came after news of activity at the site`s suspected explosives testing chamber building in early April. Satellite images then showed unidentified items lined up outside the building and a stream of water emanating nearby. This raised allegations that Iran is attempting to cleanse the site, using the stream of water to wash the inside of the building or the items outside. "The newest image raises concerns that Iran is attempting to raze the site prior to allowing an IAEA visit," the think thank`s founder David Albright wrote in a report in May. "The razing of the two buildings may also indicate that Iran has no intention to allow inspectors access soon. In 2004, Iran razed the Lavisan-Shian site, which held the Physics Research Center (PHRC), interfering with the ability of the IAEA to investigate allegations that the PHRC was involved in military nuclear activities."