Original source URL: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/HAF374684.htm Excerpts of Reuters interview with Iranian president 23 Apr 2007 21:14:09 GMT Source: Reuters April 23 (Reuters) - President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Iran would not halt its disputed atomic activities under any circumstances in an interview with Reuters and an Iranian television station on Monday. Following are excerpts from the interview conducted in Persian and translated into English by Reuters: Q: Mr President, Iran has so far refused to suspend its uranium enrichment work, what would be the basis of Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani's talks with EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana in Turkey on Wednesday? A: The dispute over Iran's nuclear work is completely a political issue, without any legal or technical aspects. Iran has never violated international laws ... A few (Western) countries that have maximum use of nuclear technology do not want other countries to have the technology. We are among nuclear fuel producer countries ... and there is no reason to move backwards. The negotiations between Larijani and Solana are very important and will be useful ... to remove ambiguities and to reach an understanding. Q: Will Iran accept double suspension of enrichment and sanctions? A: This issue (double suspension) is meaningless and has no legal basis. Our atomic work is legal ... You cannot ask a country to suspend its legal activities in return for a suspension of an illegal (U.N. resolution) ... The term 'double-suspension' is a wrong term. Q: Why does Iran want to produce nuclear fuel? A: Iran's aim is clear ... Based on our experiences, if any country wants to use nuclear technology for various peaceful purposes it should produce the fuel itself. Iran is a member of the nuclear club and all the countries should accept it. Q: If international pressure mounts on Iran to suspend its nuclear work, what would be Iran's practical steps considering the authority given to you by parliament to review the level of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency? And also in case of wider U.N. sanctions, will Iran use its oil exports as a weapon? A: Iran's history shows that the Iranian nation can resist pressures and has the power to transform threats to opportunities. So far Iran's peaceful atomic work has always been in the framework of law and we like to continue so. We are the only country whose atomic work is directly under IAEA supervision ... We are reluctant to enter such atmosphere ... ambiguities can be removed through talks. Our nation has learned to defend itself. Of course we are not interested in using oil as a weapon. Q: What do you think about possible talks between Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki and his American counterpart Condoleezza Rice? Iran says America has changed its tone towards Iran, is Tehran ready to hold direct talks with the United States to resolve those international issues it faces? A: We have always expressed our readiness for talks ... We are ready to hold talks but under one condition which is the presence of international media and the talks should be broadcast live. We do not have good memories of those negotiations that the nation was not informed about. Q: Is this a decision made by the Iranian establishment? Is there a consensus on this issue? A: This has always been Iran's view and it is not something new. It is not a personal decision and there is a consensus about it. Q: How can Iran help the United States to resolve Iraq's problems and is Iran ready to participate in the meeting of Iraq's neigbouring countries which is going to be held in Egypt? A: America's problem in Iraq is America itself ... their point of view towards regional issues is wrong because American authorities think they can solve problems by using military force and missiles ... If America changes its behaviour those problems will be solved ... we have previously said it, publicly and through messages, right now also we are ready to show the way to resolve Iraq's problem ... the solution is that the American government should have a humanitarian view towards Iraq. Q: What would be Iran's reaction if attacked by the United States? A: The era of threatening other countries with bombings and missiles has past ... especially those who think they can pressure Iran by using the language of threat, are mistaken ...I doubt there is such will in America (to attack Iran) ... but anyway under any circumstances, we will defend our rights ... as an independent nation we can protect our integrity. Naturally, when a nation becomes under attack it will use appropriate measures to respond ... and like any other nation we have various ways to respond. Iran's foreign policy is based on peace and friendship, Iran will not attack any country but if attacked we would defend ourselves with full power. Q: I would like to repeat my question, will Iran attend the meeting for Iraq's neighbouring countries? A: We are reviewing it, we are in talks with our Iraqi friends over this issue. Q: Is Iran prepared for further U.N. sanctions Which can push the country towards isolation. Do you not think it will put more economic pressure on the nation? A: Sanctions are meaningless today. Nations will not accept such pressures anymore ... being isolated is irrelevant ... our nation's path is clear, we believe those who want to isolate us will be isolated themselves. Q: Is there any possible proposal that may persuade Tehran to suspend its nuclear activities even for a short period of time? A: Why this suspension issue is so important and why there is such pressure to achieve it ... which advantages it might bring that they want to reach it under any circumstances even for a short term... suspension of legal activities does not exist in any international law ... There must be a political reason behind this demand ... We have doubts about the West's intentions ... The best proposal is to accept the Iranian nation's rights. We are honest when we say our nuclear work is peaceful ... and when we say we will preserve it, we are serious about it. Q: What does Iran exactly want from the United States? What can the United States do to persuade Tehran to hold direct talks? A: They cannot use the language of threat against a nation ... and use U.N. resolutions as a stick to force us to abandon our nuclear work. It cannot be accepted by any nation. They should act honestly. In that case, the Iranian nation will have no problem (for direct talks) about international issues ... in presence of international media. AlertNet news is provided by Reuters. -- -------------------------------------------------------- Escaping the Matrix website: http://escapingthematrix.org/ cyberjournal website: http://cyberjournal.org Community Democracy Framework: http://cyberjournal.org/DemocracyFramework.html Subscribe cyberjournal list: •••@••.••• (send blank message) Posting archives: http://cyberjournal.org/show_archives/ Moderator: •••@••.••• (comments welcome)
