With the passage of a resolution by the International Atomic Energy Agency, giving Iran until the end of October 2003 to sign the additional resolution to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, our nation faces a critical crossroad. Etehade Jomhourikhahan, with a full understanding of the importance and critical reaction of the Islamic Republic of Iran toward signing of this proposal, declares that:

1. Canada, Japan, Australia and supported by the majority of European countries as well as the United States proposed this resolution. The uneasiness and sensitivity of these nations towards the possibility of production of nuclear weapons, stems from IRI's unwillingness to disclose its nuclear activities to the International Agency and it's ambiguous, adventurous activities in a region where Iran is at the center of it. It is the totality of all these reasons that has put our nation at a critical juncture where our national interest might be sacrificed by a minority.

2. In today's world, production of nuclear weapons not only is not a tool for security and deterrence; rather it's a source for danger and insecurity. Critical situation of the Middle East will also add to these dangers. In today's world, it is not nuclear programs but rather respect for human rights, governments reliance on democracy, having the political legitimacy, confidence of the people, evolution of culture, expansion of technology and economy, and creation of social welfare that will guarantee national defense and security. On these bases, we support non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in the region and a total nuclear free zone in the Middle East. We believe that all countries which posses such weapons must move toward destroying them and international community must control the growth and development of these weapons.

3. In today's situation, Islamic Republic of Iran's unwillingness to sign this treaty, knowing that Iran has been a signatory to the NPT, can lead to referral of the case to the Security Council which could lead to further embargo as well as military threat and "Iraqization" of the future of Iran. We seriously warn Islamic Republic of Iran to avoid further adventurous policies in the arena of nuclear activities. We also believe that full cooperation with IAEA, signing the proposal, and having a clear and open nuclear policy will be beneficial to Iran's national interest.

4. The deadline set by IAEA, must not be used, as a political tool by powerful nations against Iran and denial of our peoples basic human rights by the Islamic Republic of Iran must not be sacrificed in lieu of political deals. Following the signing of this proposal by IRI, additional monitoring and international pressure must continue against Iran to respect human rights as creation of political openness in our society.

October 1st 2003
Coordinating council