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Khatami: Access to nuclear technology Iran`s legitimate right

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Orumiyeh, West Azarbaijan, Sept 20, IRNA -- President Mohammad 
Khatami stressed here Sunday that access to nuclear technology was 
a natural and legitimate right of the Iranian nation. 
Speaking at a gathering of prominent residents of this 
northwestern city, he said big powers were trying to exert pressure 
on the Iranian nation in order to hinder its progress. 
He said he believes the current controversy over Iran`s nuclear 
program was an offshoot of the moral corruption and hypocrisy that 
characterizes today`s global community and the desire of a few 
to realize their hegemonic ambitions. 
The president, moreover, said he could not find the reason why 
Iran should be denied the use of nuclear technology when it has 
enough talented scientists to carry on the work. 
Criticizing the IAEA`s focus on its nuclear activities, he said 
the only conclusion that can be gleaned is that pressure is being made
to bear on Iran because it pursues independent policies and has 
managed to achieve progress while demonstrating to the world that its 
system of religious democracy can work. 
He also dismissed the purported concerns of big powers for a 
nuclear safeguards regime to prevent the possible spread of nuclear 
material to the wrong hands, saying all these are rhetoric because 
they not only support but also refuse to clamp down on Israel which 
to date refuses to disclose information on its nuclear activities and 
refuses to sign the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). 
Khatami also referred to the birth anniversary of Imam Hossein 
(AS), the third Imam of Shiite Muslims, saying in this contemporary 
world, where people are intensely searching for freedom, justice, 
peace, tranquility and dignity, the need to refocus on Imam Hossein 
and his thoughts has become all the more imperative. Imam Hossein, 
he added, taught people to safeguard their dignity and freedom. 
He went on to express his pride over the fact that those who have 
tried to portray Islam as a violent religion have failed and those 
who preach the real Islam are gaining adherents. 
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