- Title: IRAN: Cleric reiterates Iran nuclear rights
- Date: 29th November 2009
- Summary: TEHRAN, IRAN (NOVEMBER 28, 2009) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF WORSHIPPERS AT EID-AL-ADHA PRAYERS LED BY CLERIC AHMAD KHATAMI, MEMBER OF ASSEMBLY OF EXPERTS CLERIC AHMAD KHATAMI ENTERING PODIUM (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) CLERIC AHMAD KHATAMI MEMBER OF ASSEMBLY OF EXPERTS SAYING: "Islamic Iran has shown the world powers during 30 years that the Iran is a nation which does not withdraw from their rights even for a particle, neither through direct threats or indirect threats. " WORSHIPPERS CHANTING SLOGAN "Death to America, Death to Israel." CLERIC AHMAD KHATAMI LEAVING PODIUM
- Embargoed: 14th December 2009 12:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: Religion
- Reuters ID: LVAD89L8XB5X3RLAW15CAQXWTBEH
- Story Text: Cleric Ahmad Khatami insists Iran would never surrender their nuclear rights.
Cleric Ahmad Khatami said on Saturday (November 28) the Iranian nation does not withdraw of their rights, one day the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) voted a resolution on Iran's nuclear activities.
He delivered hits speech during Eid al-Adha prayers sermons held in Tehran University campus.
"Islamic Iran has shown the world powers during 30 years that the Iran is a nation which does not withdraw from their rights even for a particle, neither through direct threats or indirect threats. "
"Death to America, Death to Israel," said cleric Ahmad Khatami, who is a member of the Assembly of Experts.
U.N. nuclear watchdog governors voted overwhelmingly on Friday (November 27) to censure Iran for building a uranium enrichment plant secretly, a sign of growing alarm over Tehran's failure to dispel fears it seeks atomic bombs.
The resolution, passed by a 25-3 margin with six abstentions, was the first by the 35-nation governing board in almost four years. With rare Russian and Chinese backing, it sent a message of increasing international resolve to challenge Iran over its disputed nuclear ambitions.
But it was unclear whether the measure, sponsored by six world powers, would translate to crucial Russian-Chinese support for painful sanctions Western leaders will push for early next year if Iran does not embark on steps to defuse mistrust.
The measure got blanket Western backing. Cuba, Malaysia and Venezuela, prominent in a developing nation bloc that includes Iran, voted "no", while Afghanistan, Brazil, Egypt, Pakistan, South Africa and Turkey abstained. Azerbaijan missed the ballot.
Iran's IAEA envoy warned that the rebuke would "jeopardize mutual trust" between the IAEA's member states and its inspector division, but stopped short of threats to withhold cooperation.
Developing nations argued in pre-vote debate that the resolution would be provocative and counterproductive.
But supporters were provoked by the September revelation of a second Iranian enrichment site it had been building for at least two years, a subterfuge they said fanned suspicions of more secret sites that could be dedicated to making atom bombs.
The measure also signalled diminishing tolerance of Iran's reluctance to embrace an IAEA-brokered plan to provide it fuel for a nuclear medicine reactor if it parts with enriched uranium that could be turned into bomb material if further refined.
The draft resolution urged Iran to immediately halt construction of the Fordow enrichment plant in a mountain bunker, clarify its original purpose and confirm it has no more hidden atomic facilities or clandestine plans for any.
Iran has told the IAEA it developed the Fordow site in secret as a backup for other, known facilities in case they were bombed by Israel, which deems the Islamic Republic's expanding nuclear programme "an existential threat".
The last IAEA board resolution slapped on Iran was in February 2006 when governors referred Tehran's dossier to the U.N. Security Council over its refusal to suspend enrichment and open up completely to IAEA inspections and investigations.
Iran had assured the IAEA last year it was not hiding any nuclear-related activities in violation of transparency rules.
Friday's resolution voiced "serious concern" -- meaning alarm -- at the Fordow cover-up and said this blatantly defied U.N. Security Council demands dating to 2006 for a suspension of sensitive nuclear activity to foster trust and negotiations.
Russian and Chinese support was significant since the two, who have veto power in the Security Council, have often blocked a tough united front against Iran in global policy bodies and avoided direct criticism of Tehran.
Western powers will hope the disenchantment of Russia and China with Iran conveyed in Friday's resolution evolves into support for tougher sanctions if Iran does not drop demands for killer amendments to the fuel deal by the end of this year.
But Russian and Chinese officials have said in the past week that diplomatic chances to coax more Iranian cooperation were far from exhausted, counselling patience over punishment. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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