IRAN TO NAM: ISRAEL PREVENTING GLOBAL IMPLEMENTATION OF NPT  http://www.namnewsnetwork.org/v3/read.php?id=193708 SHARM EL-SHEIKH, May 10 (NNN-MNA): Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has said that the Zionist regime’s refusal to sign the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is preventing the agreement from being implemented worldwide. Salehi made the remarks during a speech at a Ministerial Meeting of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement, which opened in the city of Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on May 9 and closes May 10, the Mehr News Agency reporter said. The meeting is meant to make preparations for the 16th summit of heads of state and government of NAM, which is scheduled to be held in Tehran in late summer.NAM is the largest grouping of countries outside of the United Nations and has 120 member states.In his speech, Salehi stated, “The Zionist regime’s obstinate refusal to join the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is still the main impediment to the global implementation of the treaty. Therefore, on the regional stage, the initiative to establish a nuclear-weapons-free zone in the Middle East region, which was introduced by Iran in 1974, has not been implemented yet. And we believe that every effort should be made to oblige the Zionist regime to provide the conditions necessary for the realization of this goal.”Salehi also expressed regret over the fact that Article VI of the NPT has not been implemented yet, saying, “Nothing should divert our attention from serious threats against humanity posed by tactical and strategic nuclear weapons and the constant modernization of them and new military doctrines to use them.” Article VI reads, “Each of the Parties to the Treaty undertakes to pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating to cessation of the nuclear arms race at an early date and to nuclear disarmament, and on a treaty on general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control.” The Iranian foreign minister stated, “In our view, the deadline proposed by the Non-Aligned Movement for the abolition of nuclear weapons, 2025, can only be met if we, as a movement, pursue it determinedly and vigorously.” He went on to say that Iran fully abides by its commitments to the terms of international agreements, adding, “We are determined to use our rights within the framework of these agreements. In this regard, we thank the Non-Aligned Movement’s continued support for Iran’s peaceful nuclear activities.” 

NAM has always condemned Israeli atrocities

Elsewhere in his remarks, Salehi condemned the atrocities being committed by the Zionist regime in the occupied Palestinian territories.

“In the movement’s documents, we have always condemned the occupation of the Palestinian territories and the Golan Heights and the deprivation of the Palestinian people from their fundamental rights. And the movement’s principles require us to denounce the arrogant attitude of the powers which support the violation of human rights in the occupied territories,” he added.

On the pro-democracy uprisings occurring in the Arab world, Salehi said, “We believe that, at this juncture, holding negotiations, respecting the people’s fundamental rights, and fulfilling their fundamental needs more than before is the only way out of the impasse created by authoritarian governments.”

The Iranian foreign minister held separate talks with a number of his counterparts and senior officials on Tuesday.

NAM summit in Tehran will elevate Iran’s intl. status

Earlier in the day, Salehi told reporters that the NAM summit, which is scheduled to be held in Tehran in late summer, is much more significant than the conferences held in the country since the victory of the Islamic Revolution of 1979.

“The holding of the conference will help elevate Iran’s status in the international arena,” he added.