Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Hassan Rowhani said in Semnan on Wednesday that there is no sign for resuming ties with the United States of America, IRNA reported.

Addressing university students and officials in Semnan province, he said, "It is the Americans who should adopt a policy to enable us to resume ties with them.

"America is now considered as our enemy which threatens the Islamic Republic of Iran," he pointed out.

He said that the US should accept the reality of the Islamic Revolution in Iran and should be aware that the former atmosphere in Iran is not retractable.

"Whenever the Islamic Republic of Iran is assured that the US does not pursue a policy of hegemony and plunder and instead favors logical relations to secure mutual interests, Iran can decide on the matter," he declared.

On Iran-Europe relations, he said, "Our relations with Europe is totally different from that with America. We have no serious problems with Europe and the two sides enjoy relatively suitable ties."

Europe meets fifty percent of Iran's economic and commercial needs, he pointed out adding, "We are on the verge of forging suitable ties with the European Union and have already taken effective steps to broaden ties with Europe which could be considered as an exemplary model for other measures."

To further broaden ties 'we need to put an end to the issue of nuclear program and as soon as the issue is resolved we can go ahead with other programs', he underlined.

On Iran's success in nuclear science, he said, "We have had a scientific breakthrough in enriching uranium in the country.

Suspension of enriching uranium was a voluntary measure taken to gain the trust of the global community. We did not stop the enriching process but we have suspended it and this will not last long. We will resume activities whenever needed."

On signing additional protocol to the NPT, he said the official formalities for signing the additional protocol has not yet been completed and should be accomplished in due time, he pointed out.

On speculations about his intention to run in the next presidential elections, he said, "It is too early to discuss this issue and I have not made any decision on it."

He placed emphasis on the upcoming parliamentary elections at this sensitive juncture.

... Payvand News - 1/29/04 ... --