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Iran Will Never Give Up Nuke Plans

June 11, 2004
Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting
IRIB News

Tehran -- Chairman of the Expediency Council (EC) Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said here on Friday that Iran will never give up its right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

"No official in a country like Iran will ever dare deprive his own people from the benefits of this decisive technology and, more significantly, from an important science to which they have a right," Rafsanjani said in his Tehran Friday Prayer sermon.

"The Islamic Republic has never been guilty of blackmail or made concessions on minor issues and with more reason will not be compelled to give concessions on the more important issue of technology to produce nuclear energy."

Rafsanjani said Iran will continue its pursuit of technology to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

"We are against using this science for military affairs and we will continue in our path," he told worshipers at the campus of Tehran University.

"If the world cooperates with us on the peaceful use of nuclear technology, we will be able to resolve the issue. And if they try to bully us, then each will carry out his perceived duties."

Rafsanjani said the draft of a recent anti-Iran resolution that was sponsored by France, Germany and the UK as well as the final statement of the G-8 summit reveals that the US and Europe have formed a partnership to deprive Iran of the benefits of nuclear technology to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

"If, indeed, the US and Europe have made the decision and continue in this path, they should know that it is a decision they will definitely regret," he said.

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