Iran`s issues with IAEA being solved: Khatami
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Khartoum, Oct 6, IRNA -- Visiting Iranian President Mohammad Khatami said here Wednesday that Iran`s issues with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are getting solved. Talking to reporters at Khartoum airport before leaving here for Oman, Khatami added Iran is a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and has accepted the addition protocol voluntarily and cooperated with IAEA inspectors as well. A report by IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei indicated the progress on the issue and the Iranian dossier was expected to be closed, he said, adding under US pressures and those of others the case was not announced closed while other pretexts were also raised. "We will not move towards possessing nuclear weapons. The issue is not in accordance with our rules. Moreover security cannot be safeguarded by nuclear weapons. "All signatories to the NPT have the right to use peaceful nuclear technology," Khatami stressed. "We will carry out our program to produce electricity and provide fuels for our nuclear power plant. If there is any problem, it relates to the agency and other states." Khatami reiterated, "We will insist on our right. Those who apply pressure seek to deprive us from a legal right. They act illogically to make us forego our right." "We will offer the international community every guarantee that we will not move toward getting access to a nuclear weapon and meanwhile we are trying to neutralize pressures and conspiracies," the president said. Pointing to the Iraqi developments, Khatami said continuation of the country`s occupation would be an insult to its people. "Iraq`s elections should be held in the earliest time," he said. He noted that the heavy bombardment by the occupiers and massacre of the defenseless Iraqi people would prepare grounds for further escalation of terrorism. "Iraq`s security and stability are very important for all neighboring states, including Iran, and the country`s neighbors are ready to support the government there with no interference in the country`s internal affairs," the president added. Sudan`s President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, for his part, expressed satisfaction over the visit by his Iranian counterpart to Khartoum and said the two sides discussed the Darfur crisis as the most important issue. He hoped Khatami`s visit would further boost bilateral relations in various fields. Iranian President Mohammad Khatami wrapped up an official visit to Sudan and left here for Muscat, the capital city of Oman, on Wednesday. During his visit to Sudan, three documents on bilateral cooperation in economic, agricultural and banking fields were signed. 2327/1432
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