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Iran's nuclear activities transparent, peaceful, monitored by IAEA: President Ahmadinejad

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

United Nations, Sept 20, IRNA
Ahmadinejad-UN-Speech

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad here on Tuesday said that all nuclear activities of Iran were peaceful, transparent and monitored by the UN nuclear watchdog.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran is a member of the IAEA and is committed to the NPT. All our nuclear activities are transparent, peaceful and under the watchful eyes of IAEA inspectors," said the president in his address to the UN General Assembly at its 61st annual session.

He pointedly asked: "Why should there be objections to our legally recognized rights?"

"And which governments object to these rights?" he further asked.

"Governments that themselves benefit from nuclear energy and the fuel cycle. Some of them have abused nuclear technology for non-peaceful ends, including the production of nuclear bombs, and some even have a bleak record of using them against humanity," he pointed out.

He said he was deeply concerned over the current trend of countries using the Security Council "as an instrument of threat and coercion."

Some permanent members of the Security Council conveniently threaten others with their veto power in the Council and decide against a member even before a consensus has been reached by the Council, he said.

President Ahmadinejad said he could find no justification whatsoever for such exploitation of the Security Council, and asked whether this unfair practice would not affect the credibility and effectiveness of the Council.

Can this behavior on the part of veto-wielding states contribute to the Council's ability to fulfill its mandate of defending global peace and security?" he asked.

The president regretted that justice has become a neglected goal because the use of force and aggression have become more expeditious.

"Many global arrangements have become unjust, discriminatory and irresponsible as a result of undue pressure from some of the powerful," he lamented.

"Threats of the use of nuclear weapons and other instruments of war by some powers have replaced respect for the rights of nations and defense of peace and tranquility," the president added.

He regretted that some powers, particularly the so-called champions of human rights and democracy, would justify the use of pressure or force for as long as they they succeed in achieving their objectives.

"It does not matter if people in Palestine are attacked, murdered, turned into refugees, kidnapped or imprisoned. These are probably not violatations of human rights," he said in a veiled criticism of Israeli crimes.

"Apparently the Security Council was created only to ensure the security and rights of some big powers," he said sarcastically.

1394/2321/1414