Iranian Ambassador lashes out at western media [Archives:2006/915/Local News]
SANA'A, Jan. 24 – In a press conference Tuesday in Sana'a, Iranian Ambassador to Yemen, Hussein Kamalian, accused Western media of conveying false accounts about Iran's nuclear efforts. He said Western media covers the issue more than other media only to agitate the situation against Iran.
He pointed out that media in Western countries focuses on three points; most notably, that Iran seeks to own nuclear weapons, currently seeks uranium enrichment and does not cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Kamalian denied these allegations, asking media to distinguish between safe scientific nuclear research and uranium production.
Kamalian affirmed Iran's right to continue safe nuclear research, conducted under IAEA supervision. “The Western media knows full well that Iran cannot produce enriched uranium needed for nuclear fuel in our research laboratories, but despite this, they do not make things clear,” he commented.
World nations' recurrent aggressive stance toward Iran is due to Iranian citizens' steadfastness, Kamalian said, adding that threats will not frighten them. “We will not abandon our rights. The threatening language of great states is futile. Referring Iran's nuclear program to the UN Security Council is not the end and their dialog with us should not ignore Iranians' demands,” Kamalian stated.
Regarding foreign threats against Iran, Kamalian said Israeli threats toward Iran have become among the “tales and myths” Israelis repeat about Iran's nuclear program. Such threats, he stated, come in an American-Israeli scenario. “If they set up a foolish act against Iran, we will respond strongly,” he added.
Kamalian noted that Iran is now in a good position, which does not assist the U.S. to invade it. “Iranians are in favor of and side with the government, the economic situation is encouraging and so is the military situation. People inside and outside Iran stand on our side, while our relations with other countries are all the more intensified,” he added.
Kamalian affirmed that what happened to Iraq will not be repeated in Iran, the latter being in a better, more secure situation. Iraq was ruled by a dictator, whereas Iran is witnessing real democracy. “America thought the Islamic revolution would survive no more than six months, but now Iran is celebrating its 27th anniversary,” he noted.
Regarding Iraq, Kamalian said Iran's role is to help Iraqis reach safe situations. “Iraq is not a place to settle accounts with the Americans, but rather it is a holy place for Iraqis,” he commented.
Iran is a developing country in need of energy. Generating electricity by petroleum-powered stations cannot suffice cities' demand; therefore, using nuclear power is the alternative.
Kamalian expressed appreciation for the positive stance of Arab states toward Iran's nuclear efforts and thanked Yemen's President for his strong stance.
——
[archive-e:915-v:14-y:2006-d:2006-01-26-p:ln]
