ID :
13875
Sat, 07/26/2008 - 13:32
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/13875
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Rafsanjani: Iran's nuclear issue showcases country's innocence
Tehran, July 26, IRNA - Iran's former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said Friday that Iran's nuclear issue has now turned into the show of the country's innocence and bullying of the western powers.
"Acquiring peaceful nuclear technology is first of all an absolute and undeniable right that has been accorded to Iran and all countries based on the international treaties endorsed by the International Atomic Energy Agency," said Ayatollah Rafsanjani in his second Fridayprayers sermon.
Ayatollah Rafsanjani, the substitute Friday prayers leader of Tehran, also told the worshipers at Tehran University campus that the capability Iranians have gained in the nuclear domain is result of 30years of their endeavors without seeking foreign assistance.
He warned that the world bullying powers are now trying to deprive the Iranian nation of the absolute right through making mischiefs andissuing threats and intimidation.
He criticized the US and the western powers for their extremism and bullying and said, "Today, as always Iran is ready for talks on theissue and preliminaries for the purpose are also arranged.
Unfortunately, tough and extremist claims of the officials of the US and the usurper regime of Israel pose problems in the way and Americans launch maneuvers for controlling Hormuz Strait. It is well clear that a trend is now underway trying to obstruct efforts for restoration of calm and security in the region." Advising the parties negotiating with Iran over its nuclear rogramme, Ayatollah Rafsanjani, who is also the Experts Assembly and the Expediency Council head, said, "When we are in talks, what can deadline mean then? we should sit and raise our calls in a logical atmosphere free from any hue and cry." Announcing that Iranian nation is entitled to peaceful nuclear energy, Rafsanjani said, "You say you do not trust us; we too say in response that we do not wish to seek nuclear arms because no such an issuereserves a room in our religion.
"We have never been after production of nuclear arms and campaign against people. We well proved it and defended ourselves within framework of the law during the (1980-88Iraqi) imposed war and under conditions when chemical bombs were applied against us." He went on to say, "We believe observation of morals and human rightsis part of our Islamic system and are ready to prove that in action.
The only way to prove it is holding talks and one cannot run affairs through threats and intimidation." On presence of the US and NATO forces in Afghanistan and Iraq, Rafsanjani said, "There are yet real problems in Iraq and Afghanistan and the goal of the (US and NATO) forces' presence in Afghanistan under the guise of campaign against terrorism and drugs has not yet been addressed at all. Today, terrorists have got more powerful in the country and poppy cultivation too has increased." The Friday prayers preacher said Americans are looking for a base and foothold in Iraq and waged war perhaps due to the same reason becausethey had no problem with former Iraqi ruler Saddam Hussein.
"They (Americans) stepped in Iraq to have a permanent base and secure their vital interests in a country that is important in terms ofwealth and geographical location," he added.
He hoped that Iraqi ulima, officials and people will be vigilant enough to prevent conclusion of a security pact with Washington andthe US' long-term presence in the country.
Concluding his sermon, Ayatollah Rafsanjani said Iraqi people shouldbe let decide their fate.
End
"Acquiring peaceful nuclear technology is first of all an absolute and undeniable right that has been accorded to Iran and all countries based on the international treaties endorsed by the International Atomic Energy Agency," said Ayatollah Rafsanjani in his second Fridayprayers sermon.
Ayatollah Rafsanjani, the substitute Friday prayers leader of Tehran, also told the worshipers at Tehran University campus that the capability Iranians have gained in the nuclear domain is result of 30years of their endeavors without seeking foreign assistance.
He warned that the world bullying powers are now trying to deprive the Iranian nation of the absolute right through making mischiefs andissuing threats and intimidation.
He criticized the US and the western powers for their extremism and bullying and said, "Today, as always Iran is ready for talks on theissue and preliminaries for the purpose are also arranged.
Unfortunately, tough and extremist claims of the officials of the US and the usurper regime of Israel pose problems in the way and Americans launch maneuvers for controlling Hormuz Strait. It is well clear that a trend is now underway trying to obstruct efforts for restoration of calm and security in the region." Advising the parties negotiating with Iran over its nuclear rogramme, Ayatollah Rafsanjani, who is also the Experts Assembly and the Expediency Council head, said, "When we are in talks, what can deadline mean then? we should sit and raise our calls in a logical atmosphere free from any hue and cry." Announcing that Iranian nation is entitled to peaceful nuclear energy, Rafsanjani said, "You say you do not trust us; we too say in response that we do not wish to seek nuclear arms because no such an issuereserves a room in our religion.
"We have never been after production of nuclear arms and campaign against people. We well proved it and defended ourselves within framework of the law during the (1980-88Iraqi) imposed war and under conditions when chemical bombs were applied against us." He went on to say, "We believe observation of morals and human rightsis part of our Islamic system and are ready to prove that in action.
The only way to prove it is holding talks and one cannot run affairs through threats and intimidation." On presence of the US and NATO forces in Afghanistan and Iraq, Rafsanjani said, "There are yet real problems in Iraq and Afghanistan and the goal of the (US and NATO) forces' presence in Afghanistan under the guise of campaign against terrorism and drugs has not yet been addressed at all. Today, terrorists have got more powerful in the country and poppy cultivation too has increased." The Friday prayers preacher said Americans are looking for a base and foothold in Iraq and waged war perhaps due to the same reason becausethey had no problem with former Iraqi ruler Saddam Hussein.
"They (Americans) stepped in Iraq to have a permanent base and secure their vital interests in a country that is important in terms ofwealth and geographical location," he added.
He hoped that Iraqi ulima, officials and people will be vigilant enough to prevent conclusion of a security pact with Washington andthe US' long-term presence in the country.
Concluding his sermon, Ayatollah Rafsanjani said Iraqi people shouldbe let decide their fate.
End
