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Khatami defends Iran`s nuclear performance

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Nov 17, IRNA -- President Mohammad Khatami here on Wednesday 
decisively defended Iran`s nuclear performance and termed the recent 
agreement signed between Iran and the European big trio on Iran`s 
nuclear programs as a "great victory". 
Talking to reporters at the end of a cabinet session, he said, "we
have gained access to peaceful nuclear technology, thanks to our own 
efforts". 
"Iran`s nuclear achievement is a source of glory for my 
government," the president noted. 
He urged the European states to show good will reaction towards 
Iran`s good will attitude. If the Europeans did not keep their 
promises and did not fulfill their commitments, Tehran would 
not keep its words either, he added. 
He further assured the Iranian nation that he would insist on 
the country`s national interest. 
Stressing that the measures taken so far have been accepted by 
the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali 
Khamenei, the president said, "We never seek to build nuclear 
weapons. However, we will defend our rights in the area of nuclear 
issues". 
As to recent Iran-EU agreement, he said the Europeans explicitly 
and officially admitted Iran`s rights (to gain access to peaceful 
nuclear energy) and that was a great victory. 
"Today, China, Non-Aligned Movement member states, our friends 
and the European countries have admitted such a right for Iran and 
the right is confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency 
(IAEA), Khatami said. 
"We are committed to red lines," he said adding, "we by no means 
welcome threats". 
On the possibility of Iran`s nuclear case being referred to the 
UN Security Council, the Iranian president said "Referring Iran`s 
nuclear dossier to the Security Council is not at all desirable for 
us." 
"If Iran`s nuclear dossier is sent to the Security Council, the 
council has the right to deprive Iran of its rights and that is an 
oppression and we should not accept such an oppression," he further 
stressed. 
"Uranium production for nuclear fuel which is our legitimate 
right has been successfully achieved. Different stages of the process 
should be completed and we will not ignore such a right," the Iranian 
president announced. 
Uranium enrichment is permitted under the nuclear Non- 
Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to which Iran is a signatory and which 
is being enforced by the IAEA, he said. 
Tehran has repeatedly announced that it will not seek nuclear 
weapons, he said stressing, "however, we will defend our legitimate 
rights." 
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