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Iran's president shrugs off sanctions
(AP)
Updated: 2006-01-15 08:57
Iran's president stood fast Saturday behind his decision to resume uranium
enrichment research, shrugging off threats of international sanctions while his
Foreign Ministry invited Europe and the U.N. nuclear watchdog back to the
negotiating table.
Iranian President
Mahmoud Ahamdinejad, answers a question during a news conference in
Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2006. The news conference by Ahmadinejad
comes after efforts by European countries on Friday to build international
support for bringing Iran before the UN Security Council, over its nuclear
programme. Iran meanwhile, has vowed to end all voluntary co-operation
with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) if it is referred to
the UN Security Council for restarting its nuclear
programme.[AP] |
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In a ringing defense of his government's move, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
said Tehran had not violated the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, which he said
allows signatories to produce nuclear fuel.
On Tuesday, Iran removed some U.N. seals from its main uranium enrichment
facility in Natanz, central Iran, and resumed research on nuclear fuel —
including small-scale enrichment — after a 2 1/2-year freeze.
The shift alarmed Western nations that suspect Iran may be trying to produce
nuclear weapons. Uranium enrichment can produce fuel for nuclear reactors to
generate electricity or, if sufficiently processed, the material for nuclear
warheads.
Tehran claims it is only conducting research and says uranium enrichment
remains suspended.
But its decision drew fierce international condemnation and threats to seek
U.N. sanctions.
"The time of using language of bullying and coercion ... is over,"
Ahmadinejad said at a news. "There is no evidence to prove Iran's diversion
(toward nuclear weapons)."
What's more, he said, Iran had no use for such weapons.
"Our nation doesn't need nuclear weapons. You can use nuclear technology in
several ways, and we want to do so peacefully," he said, claiming that such
weaponry violated the tenets of Islam.
Iran insists its nuclear program is intended only for electricity generation.
Ahmadinejad's news conference came on the second day of a tough public
relations offensive by Tehran. On Friday, it threatened to end surprise
inspections by and cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency if
the country is referred to the Security Council for possible imposition of
sanctions.
Europe and the United States have been trying to build support for the move.
They say more than two years of acrimonious negotiations between Iran and the
European powers Britain, France and Germany reached a dead end when Iran resumed
work at the enrichment facility.
But they face resistance from China, which warned the move could only
escalate the confrontation.
Russia, which like China holds a veto on the Security Council, is a question
mark as well. It is deeply involved in building Iranian reactors for power
generation and has in the past indicated it would not support sanctions.
"The world public opinion knows that Iran has not violated the
Nonproliferation Treaty," Ahmadinejad said. "There are no restrictions for
nuclear research activities under the NPT protocol, and Iran has not accepted
any obligation (not to carry out research). How is it possible to prevent the
scientific development of a nation?"
But Iran's foreign ministry made an apparent attempt to calm tensions,
calling for resuming talks with the European Union and cooperation with the U.N.
nuclear watchdog.
"Iran is ready to cooperate with the IAEA to clear ambiguities," a foreign
ministry statement quoted on state television said.
And Ahmadinejad said: "We have always wanted dialogue."
"I recommend to them (the West) to try to understand the Iranian nation and
government. Otherwise you may do something that will make you regret it," he
added.
Ahmadinejad charged that the threats of sanctions and Security Council action
were the true dangers to world stability, not Iran's nuclear program.
"Why are you employing the Security Council? Doesn't that endanger world
security?" he said.
Ahmadinejad said the presence of IAEA surveillance equipment at Iranian
nuclear facilities is proof that Iran has nothing to hide.
"How will world public opinion accept their propaganda campaign against Iran
when IAEA cameras are installed on all nuclear sites?" he asked.
He said Iran had spent 2 1/2 years trying to win the trust of the
international community, citing its agreement to seal some research sites, allow
surprise IAEA inspections and impose a moratorium on uranium enrichment.
"Now, it is the turn of the European countries to apply trust-building
measures," he said.
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