Iranian diplomat: Iranians call for access to nuclear technology
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Kuala Lumpur, Feb 12, IRNA
Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Philippines Jalal Kalantari said that access to nuclear technology for peaceful purposes is the will of Iranian people.
Speaking to reporters in Manila on the occasion of the 27th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution on February 10, he elaborated on the history and achievements of the Islamic Revolution in the past 27 years in areas such as politics, culture, economy and trade.
Briefing the media on the achievements of the Islamic Revolution he said, "February 11 named as our National Day is a sweet reminiscent of rejecting internal dictatorship and foreign dominance and achieving the goals set for the Islamic revolution as Freedom, Independence, and Islamic Republic."
Turning to peaceful nuclear activities of Iran, he said, "During the past two and a half years Iran has fully cooperated with IAEA, granting unrestricted access during more than 1400 man-day inspection since 2003, which is unprecedented in the history of IAEA.
"Voluntary and non-legally binding suspension of nuclear activities and enrichment of uranium pursued during this period aimed at confidence building.
Despite Western propaganda, Iran's nuclear program is not ambitious and is by no means a threat against the world peace and security, nor against the regional peace.
All Iran wants to enjoy its right under the NPT and in line with the IAEA stature, the right which has been denied to it for more than two decades," he added.
Replying to a question about Iran's reaction to the recent resolution adopted by the IAEA Board of Governors, the ambassador said,"Our government had to implement the bill ratified by the Parliament of Iran, stating that in case of reporting Iran's dossier to the UN Security Council the government shall stop all voluntary and non legally binding cooperation with IAEA."
Responding to the question that what would be the future course of Iranian nuclear dossier as far as the government of Iran is concerned, Kalantari said, "We are of the view that solving differences and coming up with an acceptable solution is only possible through sincere negotiation in an atmosphere free from pressure and intimidation.
"Intimidation is counterproductive and will not serve the purpose of those who initiated. Recognizing inalienable rights of our nation to enrichment and possession of nuclear fuel cycle should be taken into account in any future negotiation with all the concerned parties within a definite frame, goal and time.
In response to another question about the reaction of Iran to any Israeli attack on the country's nuclear facilities similar to what they did in Iraq in the past, the ambassador elaborated on the major distinction between Iran and Iraq, adding that, "our nation is fully determined to defend the country and I hope that the opponents of our people would think twice about the consequences of their actions against Iran."
Responding to another question about the stance of Iran on the cartoons controversy, Kalantari said that freedom of speech should not be mixed with insult to divine values and beliefs of the people.
"The act of Danish newspaper and some others is blatant insult to the beliefs of over one billion Muslim population on the Earth. Islam calls on Muslims to respect the divine values and you will find no single case in the Muslim world insulting the divine prophets.
"Protests of Muslims throughout the world indicate their sincere sentiments vis-a-vis the acts of those newspapers," he added.
Concerning his evaluation of the rallies of Filipino Muslims against the cartoon controversy, the ambassador said, "Similar to other Muslims worldwide, the Filipino Muslims are expressing their sentiments and anger toward the insult against their sacred values and beliefs."
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