President Mohammad Khatami said here Wednesday a nuclear power plant will require production of nuclear fuel, which in turn calls for access to the related technology. Speaking to domestic and foreign reporters, the president said that given Iran is said to be entitled to set up nuclear power plants and access nuclear technology, it can produce its own required fuel.

"On the other hand, we are told that producers of nuclear fuel will supply Iran with the required fuel. However, we cannot rely on the world powers, since they may refrain from delivering such fuel any minute just to exert political pressure upon us. Then millions of dollars invested in such nuclear projects will be jeopardized," he added. The president pointed to the complicated technology and high investment required for development of atomic bomb and said that access to it is against our principles.

"What we are saying is that given Iran`s adequate progress in technological, technical and scientific fields and its potential to produce enriched uranium to be used as fuel, we expect our rights to be respected. Even in the process of fuel production, we can guarantee that relevant technology will not be used for any other purpose," he added.

Concerning suspension of enrichment process, he said that Iran volunteered to do so just to show its goodwill and added that even now there is no problem on that account, given that Iran implemented the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) before signing it. The chief executive said that though the EU members had pledged that Iran`s nuclear dossier would be closed in June, this did not happen.

President Khatami referred to the recent report of the head of the nuclear supervisory body, Mohamed ElBaradei, as the most positive one ever submitted to the IAEA Board of Governors and said, "Since they did not honor their commitments, we started producing the parts." He added, "Though the suspension of enrichment process is still underway, they call for complete suspension even that of the preliminary phases. If our right is recognized and they admit that Iran can have access to peaceful nuclear technology and all the required provisions are made for banning the production of atomic bomb in the world, the issue will be settled."

The president further said that Iran is expected to ignore its rights to this effect, which is out of question. "They should assure us that they do not aim to deprive Iran of its undeniable right to nuclear technology. In turn, we will assure them that we shall never turn to nuclear weapons," he concluded.

On the US presidential elections and the ongoing rivalry between Senator John Kerry and President George Bush, he said that he does not expect any major change in the US policies towards Iran, irrespective of the elections outcome, as was evident in case of former president Clinton and George Bush. The president turned to the US policies towards Europe, particularly in the economic field, as a shot into the heart of Europe by Washington and said that if they continue, Europe will be undermined to its worst possible position.

About the expected visit of the Russian President Vladimir Putin to Iran he said, "It has been on the agenda for a while. But even if the trip does not take place, my representatives and the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council will keep President Putin informed on the latest developments in Iran`s nuclear issue by telephone conversations," he added.