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KUALA LUMPUR: As ministers of D8 developing Muslim countries met in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, the West waited impatiently for Iran's response to a UN proposal to diffuse tension over its nuclear programme.
Iran said that it has not rejected the proposal, but wants it reviewed by a committee set up by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
"The details should be considered by the technical committee, those are in the areas of technical and economic," said Iranian Foreign Minister Manoucher Mottaki.
The UN plan calls for Iran to send its uranium to Russia and France for conversion into fuel. It would then go back to a reactor in Tehran, monitored by the UN nuclear watchdog.
Iran has claimed that it is not against the idea of shipping uranium abroad for enrichment, but said that sending all 1.2 tons was out of the question.
The UN plan has already been rejected by many Iranian lawmakers, who see it as an attempt by the West to deny Iran its means to nuclear enrichment, which it claims is for peaceful purposes.
However, Iran's nuclear programme is certainly not an issue here, plaguing its relations with the other D8 developing Islamic countries. Tehran has, in fact, committed US$20 million to jointly develop fertilisers and seed banks for D8's 900 million population.
Malaysia, Turkey and Indonesia have openly defended Iran's rights to peaceful nuclear energy.
"As long as for peaceful purposes, I don't see why we should be against it," said Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman.
"Every country of the NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty) should be able to benefit from nuclear energy for peaceful purposes," said Dr Rezlan Ishar Jenie, director-general for Multilateral Affairs, Indonesia.
D8 countries also pledged to boost trade, from its current level of 6 per cent of global trade to 15 per cent by 2020.
Leaders also held extensive discussions on food security. They pledged to deepen cooperation in five key areas - in particular agriculture, transportation, oil and gas.
A D8 charter that is currently in final drafting stages will be ready for endorsement in January 2010.
- CNA/sc
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