KHATAMI: IRAN'S ISSUES WITH IAEA BEING SOLVED
ISLAMIC REPUBLIC NEWS AGENCY
October 6, 2004
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.
