Khatami: Iran entitled to peaceful use of nuclear energy

Tokyo, NU Online
Iran's former president Mohammad Khatami on Friday stressed Iran's right of access to nuclear energy and fuel for peaceful purposes.

After an address to a seminar at the United Nation University in Tokyo, Khatami told the audience that Iran had no desire to build nuclear weapons and does not need to do so.

Khatami emphasized that Tehran has the legitimate right to produce energy from nuclear technology as other countries do.

"Concerning wide application of nuclear energy worldwide, Iran is entitled to having the energy and its fuel and to this end, Iranian scientists have tried to attain the technology despite sanctions," said Khatami.

"If they are very much concerned about nuclear weapons, we are a member of NPT (Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty); though not having signed the additional protocol, it was fully implemented on voluntary basis during my presidency; and Iran is under supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency," said Khatami.

the cleric also suggested that "what is observed in the world is this double-standard logic; and we should in fact move into the world wherein we will be able to meet our needs by relying on our own power and on God."

"Therefore, Iran's nuclear program is fully peaceful and in its primitive state; it has been gained without reliance on foreigners and solely through reliance on the domestic might and will be preserved," he added.

He said that however, Iran does its best to ensure settlement of issues within framework of international regulations so as not to lead to any crisis, though there are some people trying to turn such an ordinary and simple issue into a crisis and that in a region where escalation of tension is like pouring gasoline on fire.

"We are facing big crises in the Middle East; and I hope that mankind's wisdom and sense will come to the conclusion that creation of another crisis in the region, which is opt for escalation of the crisis, will not be wise."

The Iranian cleric supported dialogue as the best option for settlement of the nuclear dispute.
"The issue can be solved through dialogue and logic and Iranian government too has announced that is ready for talks under any condition and in any form," he said.

Khatami is in Japan to take part in a Conference on Religion and Peace in Kyoto. (irn/dar)