For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 21, 2003
Press Gaggle with Scott McClellan to the Travel Pool
Shangri-La Hotel
Singapore
11:19 P.M. (Local)
MR. McCLELLAN: Okay, as promised, I'm here to follow up on the
questions about Iran. A couple of points, first of all. We have been
in close contact with the Europeans all along, so we very much welcome
the efforts by the British, German and French Foreign Ministers to
obtain a commitment of full compliance by Iran with its IAEA and
non-proliferation obligations.
If Iran does sign and implement the additional protocol, cooperate
fully with the IAEA, and end its uranium enrichment and reprocessing
activities, it would be a positive step in the right direction. Full
compliance by Iran will now be essential. As British Foreign Secretary
Jack Straw said, the proof of the value of today's agreement will
depend not just on the words in the communique, but above all, on the
implementation of what's agreed.
Q So you sound a little skeptical.
MR. McCLELLAN: Sorry?
Q You sound a little skeptical.
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we welcome the efforts to obtain a
commitment. But, again, as I said, full compliance and implementation
will now be essential by Iran -- full compliance by Iran will now be
essential.
Q You seem to be indicating that the crisis hasn't passed, but
you're hopeful that with Iran --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think the British Secretary -- Foreign
Secretary summed it up very well in his comments.
Q Do you think Iran needs a civilian nuclear program?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think we've addressed that issue
previously. What's important about today's announcement is the
commitment by Iran, but what's most important is that Iran fully comply
and now implement what they've committed to. And again, those three
things I think are key -- signing and implementing the additional
protocol, cooperating fully with the IAEA, and ending its uranium
enrichment and reprocessing activities. That's essential. Those steps
are essential.
Q So you seem to be indicating the White House is still puzzled
as to why Iran, with all of the oil it has, needs a civilian nuclear
program.
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think, again, we have spoken to that issue
in the past. I think today's focus is on what has been achieved by the
efforts of the Foreign Ministers from those three countries.
Q So even though the Foreign Ministers ever talks about
assistance, outside assistance --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, look, if Iran does those three things, it
will be a positive step in the right direction. That's what's
important.
Q If Iran does those three things, will you tolerate a civilian
nuclear program?
MR. McCLELLAN: What Iran needs to do is act on the three things I
mentioned.
Q Step in the right direction towards what?
MR. McCLELLAN: What?
Q You said it was a step -- if they comply it's a step in the
right direction. Right direction towards what?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we've expressed a number of concerns about
Iran and that's why I said it would be a step in the right direction.
Q Where do you want it to lead?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, change in their behavior.
Q And what about relations with the U.S.?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, again, I think the issue here today is what's
been achieved by the Europeans. And again, we've been in close contact
with the Europeans all along on this issue.
Q So this would enable them to maintain a civilian nuclear
program -- signing a protocol, cooperating fully, ending the uranium
enrichment -- if they do those three things, then they're okay --
MR. McCLELLAN: Keep in mind that the President has called
attention to the issue of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction
and the concerns related to proliferation. So the IAEA took some
serious steps and today's actions by today's agreement that was
obtained by the British, French and Germans is something that is very
welcome.
Q Okay. Thanks.
MR. McCLELLAN: Thank you.
END 11:27 P.M. (Local)
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