By Vestnik Kavkaza
On March 5, a round-table took place in the Embassy of Kazakhstan, after talks between six international mediators and Iran on the nuclear problem.
Yulia Yakusheva, deputy executive general of the political scientific center “North-South”, told Vestnik Kavkaza that “what is common in appraisals of different countries is moderate optimism which is shown by experts from different countries of the world – Israel, the USA, the EU, Kazakhstan, and Russia. This moderate optimism is connected with the Iranian flexible position during negotiations, and the position appeared to be even more positive than it was expected. I believe the experts are right as they think that the position confirms optimism which is demonstrated by analysts from various countries. Was Iran sincere when it showed a flexible position during the talks? Was it a part of the game? Anyway, we have no answer to these questions, but the result of negotiations is not virtual. The talks will continue in April. I think it is a serious reason for optimism, even though it is moderate.”
“In late February experts, diplomats, nuclear experts gathered, and I can say the talk was clear. Various views and opinion on future development of the nuclear program were expressed, what has to be done to make it be peaceful only and to follow interests of all sides interested in this,” Leonid Gusev, senior scientist of the Analysis Center of MGIMO, told Vestnik Kavkaza. “Problems of six international mediators and their talks with Iran were touched on. It was noted that next agreements and talks will take place in Istanbul and Alma-Ata again in April 2013. Experts predicted that ahead of the presidential elections in Iran Tehran wouldn’t give an exact answer to the question of future development of its nuclear program. When the government will be formed in autumn 2013, we will wait for new proposals and development of the process.”
According to Gusev, “it is important that Kazakhstan became a platform of discussion of the Iranian nuclear program because Kazakhstan has always stated that it is against any nuclear armament tests, its creating and proliferation. As far as I know representatives of the Iranian side trust Kazakhstan, that is why they agreed to conduct negotiations in Alma-Ata. I think it is right and positive, and it should develop in this course. Some Western representatives state that Iran is in a moment to create a nuclear bomb. I think it is not so. At this level of its nuclear technologies it cannot do it. 7-8 years should pass for Iran could come to its appearance. Even if Iran had 90% enriched uranium, great efforts would be needed for making the bomb and use additional technologies.”
