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Majlis Lays Down 3 Key Requirements for Nuclear Deal

Majlis Lays Down 3 Key Requirements for Nuclear Deal
Majlis Lays Down 3 Key Requirements for Nuclear Deal

The Majlis voted to pass a bill requiring the negotiating team to preserve nuclear achievements in negotiations with the major powers over Tehran's nuclear work, IRNA reported.

In Tuesday's open session of Parliament a total of 244 lawmakers cast votes, out of whom 233 voted for and ten against the legislation, with six parliamentarians abstaining.

The outlines of the bill had been approved by the Majlis on Sunday.

The chairman of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission hailed the bill's passage as a move to provide the negotiators with "new backing" and help strengthen their position in the talks.

 

"I believe the measure creates new backing for the negotiating team," Alaeddin Boroujerdi was quoted by ICANA as telling reporters after the session.

"To put it more clearly, the legislation not only provided an opportunity for the Supreme National Security Council to officially announce the redlines, which are binding on the negotiators, but made it possible for the Majlis to come to the negotiators' help so the other parties to negotiations know that this is a serious issue."  

 

Asked why the bill does not stipulate explicitly that any final nuclear deal requires Majlis approval before coming into effect, he said, "The point is explicitly stated in Articles 77 and 125 of the Constitution. So it was decided not to include it (in the bill) because it was redundant."

***Objection to Bill

Before the vote, Vice President for Parliamentary Affairs Majid Ansari made an objection which was dismissed by Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani.

Explaining the reason for the objection, government spokesperson Mohammad Baqer Nobakht said in a press conference, "The Majlis legislation is in contravention of Article 176 of the Constitution. That is why the government took an opposing position," IRNA reported.

"Based on (the article), the issue of nuclear talks falls within the purview of the Supreme National Security Council, not either of the legislative or executive branches," he was quoted by IRNA as saying.  

The text of the bill makes three points binding on the negotiating team to consider in nuclear talks with the P5+1 (the US, Britain, France, Russia and China plus Germany).

First, it should be stated in the deal that all sanctions must be completely lifted at once on the day the deal comes into force.

Second, the International Atomic Energy Agency would be allowed to conduct monitoring of nuclear sites only based on its conventional procedures and within the framework of the safeguards agreements and any access to military and security centers and sensitive non-nuclear facilities and to nuclear documents and scientists is prohibited. The relevant decisions of the SNSC must be complied with.

Third, Iran would not accept any restriction on its research and development program to enhance its nuclear knowledge and technology meant for peaceful purposes and the relevant decisions of the SNSC must be abided by.

Some members of the P5+1 have asked that Tehran allow inspection of its military sites and meetings with nuclear scientists for interview under the prospective deal, a demand vehemently ruled out by Iranian officials.

The bill would require Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to present biannual reports to the Majlis on the progress of implementing the accord.

Under the bill, the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission would also be bound to give the Majlis biannual reports assessing the process of implementing the deal.

The legislation needs to be approved by the Guardians Council before becoming law.

 

Financialtribune.com