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Iran Reaffirms Its "Inalienable Right" to Nuclear Energy

Posted on: Sunday, 18 September 2005, 09:00 CDT

Iran reaffirms its "inalienable right" to nuclear energy

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Saturday reaffirmed his country's "inalienable right" to nuclear energy and invited other nations to join Iran to ensure that Teheran is not producing nuclear weapons.

He told a press conference after delivering his speech to the 60th UN General Assembly that it is the "inalienable right" of Iran to peaceful use of nuclear energy, citing the relevant articles of Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT).

He said though the country has rich oil resources, Iran's fossil fuel may run out sooner or later. Therefore, it is only right for Teheran to turn to nuclear energy, he argued, noting some countries with oil output four times as much as Iran still have nuclear energy.

When asked if the Iranian government would allow foreign journalist to tour its nuclear facilities, the president said Iran 's nuclear activities are among the most transparent in the world, claiming that even ordinary people can see and tour its nuclear facilities "day in and day out."

Ahmadinejad said his country does not care much about Washington's threat to refer Iran' nuclear issue to the UN Security Council, but he said the Security Council, as an important forum in providing security to different countries and defend their rights, "must not allow itself to be turned into an instrument in denying a nation of its inalienable right."

While vowing not to give up to what he called "bullying in international relations," the president said diplomacy and other efforts will continue.

He also denied media report that Iran will share nuclear technology with other Islamic countries, saying his remarks were quoted out of context.

The president said the negotiations between Iran and the three European Union powers -- Britain, France and Germany -- should be open to other countries and he singled out South Africa for its constructive stance.

"I thanked South Africa. They can potentially be a negotiating partner," Ahmadinejad said, adding that Iran will not limit the negotiation to only some countries.

Earlier on Saturday, the Iranian president said in his speech to the UN General Assembly that Iran will not pursue nuclear weapons, but turned down an offered by the European Union, backed by the United States, to halt uranium enrichment in exchange for economic and other incentives.

Iran also offered to involve foreign firm in its uranium- enrichment program in a bid to end a standoff over its suspended nuclear program.

Source: Xinhua News Agency - CEIS

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