Khatami urges Europe to guarantee Iran`s peaceful nuclear activity
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Tehran, Feb 23, IRNA -- President Mohammad Khatami on Wednesday called on Europeans to secure guarantees for Iran`s continued peaceful nuclear technology and activities. Speaking at a press conference at the end of a cabinet session, Khatami said Iran would in return guarantee that would not deviate from the path for peaceful use of nuclear energy. Khatami said as the one closely following the nuclear case and informed of the case in detail, he could say Europeans have had no ill-intention, feeling that they too favor settlement of the issue. The president stressed that Iran has voluntarily accepted the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and has been abiding by its commitments. He said that he did not however mean that Europeans had not been faithful to their commitment, neither he wished to say they had the intention to refuse to stick to their commitments. He called on Europe to consider the ongoing realities in Iran and the world and be more serious in dialogue with Iran with the hope of reaching an agreement. Asked about Iran`s reaction in case Europe followed the US stance on the nuclear related issues, Khatami said he hoped no such a thing would happen and Iran would continue following its way. TEHRAN WOULD BE DISPLEASED WITH ACTION ON NUCLEAR FACILITIES President Mohammad Khatami said any action on its nuclear facilities would displease Tehran. Khatami said that in case of any such attack, Iranian technicians would be able to restore the facilities after a while. "Even if they like to take any action against our nuclear resources, they can be sure that we would be displeased with any such action; but our technicians would not fall short of regaining the achievements after a while," said Khatami. The president said Iranian nation has successfully passed the test repeatedly and if it decides no one would be able to divert it from its right course at any cost. WARNS EUROPEANS OF ANY DECISION UNDER US INFLUENCE President Khatami warned Europeans against any decision under American influence and said they would suffer the most rather than Iran. He said any counter action would bring disgrace for Europeans worldwide, harming their position in the Middle East, including Iran. US TRAPPED IN IRAQ QUAGMIRE The president said Americans are today trapped in Iraq due to their false and poor information and defying Iran`s advices. He said that he was confident Americans would never adopt any measures that would bring them more disadvantage since they have gained more experience though this poor logic. IRAN SINCERE WITH EUROPE, IAEA The president said Iran has been sincere with Europe and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). "We have sincerely raised our words with the International Atomic Energy Agency and Europeans and have also told them we would not compromise our rights," said Khatami. Khatami added that Iran has told them that if they favor understanding, it would be ready for understanding too and act according to its rights within the framework welcomed by them. But if they do not want (this), said Khatami, Iran would continue its course. He said that in case of failure in the process, others would suffer the most though Iran would also suffer. RELIEF DONATION GOOD, SWIFT President Khatami hailed `good and speedy` relief aid services to the victims and survivors of the huge earthquake, measuring 6.4 on the open-ended Richter scale, which struck the southeastern province of Kerman early Tuesday morning. The chief executive regretted for the quake in Kerman and said his cabinet had in its recent meeting diverted a fund for relief donation. He hoped that with Majlis assistance, the problems of the quake survivors would be removed. He added that the military forces and police had had close cooperation in rushing aid to the victims and survivors. CRITICIZES AL-ALAM FOR COVERING BLAST IN DAILAM Elsewhere in the interview, President Khatami criticized the al-Alam TV for covering report on an explosion in Dailam in the southern province of Bushehr. He said based on investigations, the blast had occurred due to maintenance operations. He added that al-Alam TV`s wrong move had initiated a false wave worldwide and the TV should avoid repetition of such action. BRIGHT OBJECTS ON IRANIAN SKIES ARE SURVEILLANCE EQUIPMENT Asked to comment on the bright objects seen on Iranian skies, the president said they are most probably espionage and surveillance systems. He said Pentagon`s denial that the systems are not for espionage purposes would solve nothing and `our friends believe those are espionage devices`. On the US threats against Iran, Khatami said the US wants to deal a blow on Iran. He added that he believed if Americans were the least wise, they should know that cannot deal a blow on Iran and if they do, the cost they pay would be dearer than Iran`s. He stressed Tehran is not for tension and war and would continue striving for understanding with different countries irrespective of hues and cries. NO WAY BUT DEMOCRACY Elsewhere in the press conference, President Khatami said he believed there is no way but establishment of democracy in Iran based on religion. He said any success in implementing both and democracy and religion in Iranian society would be both in favor of religion and the society, otherwise the situation would be tantamount of a row between religion and democracy. The president referred to two camps: one advising abandoning religion to gain freedom and the other saying to give up freedom to gain religion. He added that he however was in favor of both religion and freedom. Khatami said he guessed there were historical, psychological and social barriers impeding implementation of a democratic system and that was something getting more evident to him during eight years of his tenure. He stressed that as long as he is alive, he would continue to defend freedom, independence, development and science based on Islam. CANDIDATES SHOULD GIVE REAL PROMISES In a segment of the interview, President Khatami called on the candidates for the upcoming presidential elections not to give the electorates false promises. President Khatami said there should be guarantees that the winning ideology would with the least barriers and more support by the systems implement its platform. 1420/2322/1432
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