Supreme Leader: Iran will not give in to bullies on nuclear issue
Iran-European Union, Politics, 8/3/2005

Iran's Former President Mohammad Khatami said yesterday that "suspension of nuclear program had been a voluntary action from Iran for confidence building with international community and Iran does not need okay from any other country for operating in line with Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and safeguard agreement of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)."

IRNA reported Khatami saying "In reply to a letter from South African President Thabo Mbeki, former President Khatami said that enforcing international conventions does not need negotiations or agreement with other member states and no country can be expected to overlook its right enshrined by conventions. Khatami said that Iran has exercised maximum flexibility for confidence building and believes that the other party did not make good on Iranian flexibility."

"That's why Iran decided to resume work at Isfahan Uranium Conversion Facility (UCF) and at the same is prepared to proceed with negotiations with European Union (EU) in line with Paris Accord," Khatami said. President Mbeki had called for Iran to review decision on resumption of UCF until a proposal from EU expected within few days, IRNA reported.

Meantime, the US Department of State Acting Spokesman, Tom Casey, said yesterday that the department has nothing new to offer on US government's previous assessment that Iran was not likely to acquire a nuclear weapon before the beginning of the next decade.

The Washington Post reported yesterday that "A recent U.S. intelligence report, the National Intelligence Estimate, puts Iran about ten years away from having a key component needed for the manufacture of nuclear weapons. This estimate doubles the previous timetable of approximately five years, and broadens options for assessing Iran's motives and pursuing diplomatic avenues."

Speaking about Iran's rights for nuclear development, IRNA reported that Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamene today said "Iran will never give in to bullying powers particularly the United States the 'Great Satan.'" Talking at the confirmation ceremony of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Supreme Leader adding, "The Iranian people love peace and are not against other peoples.. We have never been aggressive toward a state or a nation. We have strongly defended our rights and will do it again."

Previous Stories:
  Iran proceeding with nuclear activities while it talks with Europeans   (8/2/2005)
  Iran restarts peaceful nuclear activities   (8/1/2005)
  EU had better avoid using language of threat against Iran - Asefi   (7/23/2005)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search