Ahmadi-Nejad: Nothing can stop Iran from nuclear right
Iran-European Union, Politics, 5/17/2006

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad said today that nothing can stop the Iranian nation from its legal right to access nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.

He said that the nation will not accept any suspension, given that unfortunately its acceptance three years ago resulted in a bitter memory, which was recorded in the national history. "We have so far been complying with all relevant laws and those accusing us of violating laws should themselves act according to laws as a first step."

He called on the global arrogance not to behave in such a manner as to make other governments and nations which have signed NPT as well as those intending to access peaceful nuclear energy stop joining and cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi yesterday said "If Europe seeks diplomatic and peaceful solutions, it should not impose demands that are outside the scope of international treaties," saying that at the outset of negotiations with the Europeans, Iran had said that it was seeking production of nuclear fuel for peaceful purposes and asks nothing beyond what it is entitled under international treaties. Iran had also clearly stated that it will never accept commitments beyond those it is legally bound under international regulations, he added.

Asefi said "It seems the EU foreign policy chief (Javier Solana) has not settled his doubts about Iran's rights under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) after three years of talks and despite measures adopted by the country to ensure transparency in its peaceful use of nuclear energy. This is very surprising." Citing Article 4 of the NPT, Asefi argued that "research, production and use of nuclear energy is an inevitable right of countries" which are signatories to the treaty.

Iran's president Ahmadi-Nejad today also said "The enemies believe that the Iranian nation needs them to make progress in scientific, industrial and agricultural fields, while this is not true." He said that the Iranians call for nothing beyond their legal rights, adding that according to NPT, Iran just expects extension of its rights.

"The enemies should know that any decision disregarding the right of the Iranian nation will not be officially recognized. They should be aware that their call for suspension of the country's enrichment process will be dismissed," the president said.

Speaking about the incentives the Europeans and the USA have indicated they want to offer Iran to abandon exercising its rights to produce nuclear fuel domestically, Ahmadi-Nejad said the Iranian nation will insist on their legal rights and will not submit to threats or "worthless incentives" added that the West should learn a lesson from the history, given that the prospect of disregard for the nations' rights is not promising.

"They expect us to suspend our nuclear fuel cycle to enable them find out whether there has been any deviation from peaceful path in our nuclear activities. In response to such a call, we have told them to suspend the fuel cycles of all other countries having access to it... and stop their nuclear activities." Iran's president said "Iran will not withdraw an iota from its rights under the Non-Proliferation Treaty."

Previous Stories:
  Europeans to offer Iran advanced nuclear technology as incentive   (5/16/2006)
  Iran's national interest not subject to Europeans and their supporter's gamesmanship   (2/21/2006)
  Iran ending diplomacy on nuclear issue   (2/6/2006)

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