Ahmadinejad: enrichment basis of nuclear energy

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, in reaction to the remarks of the IAEA Chief Mohamed ElBaradei that "Iran has the right to access nuclear technology, but does not need to enrich uranium" said Thursday that the essence of nuclear energy was the same as enrichment.

It was not clear why ElBaradei would make such a non-treaty related statement, when Iran has such a right in the nuclear non proliferation treaty.

Talking after the IAEA Board of Governors' extraordinary meeting on Thursday, ElBaradei said the Board of Governors had decided to call on Iran to restore full suspension of enrichment until a final decision was reached on the extent and nature of the process.

Speaking at a gathering of people in the town of Tangestan to the south of Bushehr province on the second day of his provincial visit on Thursday, the president added that the enemies intend to deprive Iran of its legitimate right.

"Today, an IAEA official said there is no need for uranium enrichment in Iran. They are determined to deprive us of our legal rights to access nuclear technology so that they would sell the same to us at a very high price," he added.

As if demonstrated that all would-be suppliers of nuclear fuel to Iran are very unreliable, including Russia, as has just been demonstrated by their their weak stands and being subject to US demands and/or other interests, the Iranian president asked "How can we trust" these countries?

Addressing Iran's antagonists and opponents, the president said as an independent nation, the Iranians will continue their efforts to restore their legitimate rights and will not yield.