|
Iran for Peaceful End of Nuclear Crisis, Refuses
Bullying
![]() |
|
"We have repeatedly said the
Iranian nation does not need nuclear weapons. We are a civilized
nation," said Ahmadinejad.
(Reuters).
|
TEHRAN , January 14, 2006 (IslamOnline.net
& News Agencies) - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad asserted on
Saturday, January 14, that his country wants a peaceful solution to the
current nuclear standoff with the West as it has no intention to acquire
nuclear weapons, but reiterated Tehran 's right to possess nuclear
technology for peaceful purposes.
"We have repeatedly said the Iranian nation does not
need nuclear weapons. We are a civilized nation," Agence France-Presse
(AFP) quoted Ahmadinejad as telling a news conference.
"The people who are seeking to solve all equations
with force and bullying are the people who want weapons," added the
Iranian leader.
He warned that his country would not limit its nuclear
program even if ordered to do so by the UN Security Council.
"Even if the Security Council becomes involved, it
will not help resolve the issue. We are not interested in going down this
path, but if some people insist on depriving the Iranian people of their
rights they should know that such a thing will not happen," a determined
Ahmadinejad told reporters.
Western nations are threatening to haul the Islamic
republic before the UN Security Council over suspicions of seeking nuclear
weapons, a claim Tehran categorically denies.
Tehran has raised the stakes in the
dispute by removing UN seals on equipment that purifies uranium, which can
be used for power or, if highly enriched, in bombs.
Representatives of the EU countries and the
United States are to
meet with counterparts from Russia and China on
Monday, January 16, to discuss how to proceed at the International Atomic
Energy Agency and the Security Council.
European ministers have said the question of sanctions
is premature, while British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said
military action was "not conceivable."
No Bullying
![]() |
|
A satellite image of Natanz
uranium enrichment complex in Iran
. (Reuters)
|
|
|
Ahmadinejad said Iran will
not be "bullied" by the West.
"Despite the technological progress in the world, a
few Western countries are mentally living in medieval times and say you
don't have the right to scientific progress," he fumed.
"I tell those few Western countries that today it is
time for you to create confidence. The time has passed for the language of
bullying, domination and relying on your nuclear, chemical and biological
weapons."
Ahmadinejad reiterated the Iranian right to develop
peaceful nuclear program as enshrined in relevant international
treaties.
"According to agency regulations and the NPT (nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty), all member nations can have nuclear technology
and no excuses or strategies can infringe on these rights, even
inspections must not stop them from having their rights," he said.
"A few Western countries who have nuclear weapons are
questioning Iran , even
though with unprecedented inspections and supervision there is not the
slightest evidence against Iran ," he maintained.
IAEA chief and Nobel laureate Mohamed ElBaradei had
underlined that there was no evidence Iran was
developing nuclear weapons.
War Criminals
Ahmadinejad launched a fresh diatribe against
Israel , branding Western
supporters of Tel Aviv as "war criminals" and vowing they would soon be
tried in Palestinian courts.
"The ones who openly support the occupying regime of
Al-Quds (east Jerusalem ) must know their names will be
on the list of war criminals and in the near future will be put on trial
in Palestinian courts," the firebrand president told the news
conference.
"Why have you equipped the occupying regime of Al-Quds
with atomic weapons?" he asked.
The UN nuclear watchdog had asked Israel to give up its secret arsenal of
nuclear weapons to head off an arms race in the Middle East .
"It is us who should inspect the arsenals of you, seal
and destroy them," Ahmadinejad said, specifically responding to comments
made on Friday, January 13, by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and
US
President George W. Bush.
"If the two of them (Merkel and Bush) are supporting
the occupiers of Al-Quds, they should explicitly admit it and this means
that they are taking part in the crimes being committed there,"
Ahmadinejad said.
"If you allow a free referendum take place you will
see what will happen -- a map back to 70 years ago when there was no
Israel ."
| 
