Posted on 07/13/2006 3:32:00 AM PDT by Aussie Dasher
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says Iran will not abandon its right to nuclear technology.
His country's nuclear dispute with the West has been referred back to the United Nations Security Council.
The five permanent Security Council members - the United States, France, Britain, Russia and China - plus Germany had backed a nuclear package aimed at ending the stand-off.
But they have asked the Security Council to intervene after Iran failed to reply by their deadline.
"Our answer to the P5+1 package is clear," state television quoted Mr Ahmadinejad as saying.
"The Iranian nation abides by international laws and regulations but will not abandon its obvious right to obtain nuclear technology."
The package offers Iran economic and diplomatic incentives if it suspends uranium enrichment, a process the West believes Iran is using to develop an atomic bomb.
Iran has refused to halt the work, saying it has the right to carry it out.
It insists its aims are purely for civilian purposes.
Mr Ahmadinejad says Iran is ready for talks and has repeated that the country will give its final answer to the package by August 22, despite mounting pressure for a quicker response.
"You should know that if the Iranian nation reaches a conclusion that this package is not in its interest, it will review its policies," he was quoted as saying, but television did not specify which policies would be reviewed.
In the past, Iran has threatened to reconsider its adherence to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
"Europeans will be responsible for any event in the region and they will be harmed first," Mr Ahmadinejad said without giving details.
"The Iranian nation abides by international laws and regulations but will not abandon its obvious right to obtain nuclear technology."
he is so noble
That'll make things easier for the Israeli Air Force.
L
Diplomacy = wasting time
I thought his name was "Ahmafoolforjihad".
In any case, I share your sentiments exactly. They were the first thing that came to my mind.
I'd like to wager a little bet with Mahmoud.
LOL
It's kinda cool when they get all bunched up together . . . saves on cordite.
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