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Khatami meets Solana says nuclear program is peaceful

IRNA

Tehran, Aug 30, IRNA -- Visiting EU Foreign Policy Chief Javier 
Solana met with president Mohammad Khatami here Saturday. 
Khatami referred to an unstable and precarious world and voiced 
his concern on the prevailing extremism and violent trends. 
"We clamour for a secure and stable democratic Iraq, but violence 
has gripped the country," he said. 
He cited his deep contempt for last week bombing of the UN 
headquarters and killing of its representative to Iraq as well as the 
Friday`s martyrdom of Ayatollah Mohammad Baqer Hakim in Najaf. 
These events sap the confidence of the people in the expressed 
neutrality of the occupying forces. He called on EU to play its role 
in this issue. 
Elsewhere in his statements, he alluded to the oppression of the 
Palestinian people by Israel, adding "we like to see more involvement 
by the EU and the UN in Middle East affairs. 
The people do not regard the US as neutral arbitrator of the 
regional issues, Khatami underlined." 
He praised convening of the Iraqi Governing Council as "positive" 
and expressed hope that a popular-based government will soon be 
established in Iraq and the people will be entrusted with the right 
of self-determination of their affairs. 
He lamented lack of attention given to the problems in 
Afghanistan and the drug cultivation in the country. "Over 3,000 of 
Iranian youth have lost their lives fighting drug-trafficking to 
Europe." 
On Iran`s nuclear program, he said above the politically-motivated
objection on behalf of some powers to our nuclear program, "Iran 
accepts some concerns voiced regarding its nuclear program. 
But, reassure the world that nuclear weapons do not have any 
palace in Iran defense strategy." 
Khatami cited intense pressure on Iran over its nuclear program. 
We will strive to placate those who raise real concern on the nuclear 
issue through confidence building, "but will not succumb to hollow 
political hue and cry." 
He also criticized double standards on some countries that possess
nuclear power. 
Iran likes to see a democratic government that is based on 
religious and cultural norms, which exudes morality and attains 
advanced scientific and technical know-how. 
"We are proponents of establishing a just peace and fostering the 
proposal of dialogue among civilization"The Iranian president said 
adding "We call for a middle east free of nuclear weapons." 
Khatami further rejected stockpiling of weapons of mass 
destruction (WMD) as contrary to Islamic principles and moral 
values. 
But, added "Use of peaceful nuclear energy is Iran`s inalienable 
right and our people demand it from us." 
He said the reform movement is what the people and government 
want. Our people have determined to remove obstacles on the way of 
progress and have chosen to tread the path of reforms. 
Solana stressed on continuation of Iran-EU consultations and 
exchange of views between the two sides. 
He described the martyrdom of Ayatollah Hakim as a "tragedy" and 
expressed hope that with assistance by the UN National Security 
Council, the body will play a more active role in Iraq. 
"Iran, despite some difference of views with EU can play an 
influential role in the cease fire in the Middle East." 
He also touched on concerns raised on Afghanistan, adding "I hope 
that Iran`s voice on the issue of peace will be heard around the 
world. 
He pointed to the issues of human rights, nuclear power saying 
that "these issues should not adversely influence the bilateral ties."
The EU is keen to hear Iran`s position on the signing of the 
Additional Protocol to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and 
believes that the resolution of the issue will be an impetus for 
strengthening of cooperation between the two sides. 
Solana said in Tehran on Saturday that the EU recommends Iran to 
sign the Additional Protocol to NPT. 
He told reporters that the EU recommendation to Iran is "just 
like what a friend advises other friend to do". 
Asked whether the EU will honor its obligation envisaged in the 
charter of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to extend 
echnological assistance to Iran to go ahead with its nuclear program, 
he said that for the time being there is no place for what to do next.
"I hope Iranian leaders will heed a bit of advice from a friend," 
Solana said in the joint press conference with Foreign Minister 
Kamal Kharrazi. 
"We are willing to deepen relations with the Islamic Republic of 
Iran," the EU foreign policy chief said. 
NB/214 
End