No backdown on uranium: Iran

AFP: THE UN nuclear watchdog must accept Iran’s right to enrich uranium as part of its civil nuclear program, Iranian President Mohammad Khatami said today.
“We are still hoping that with the negotiations we have had, we will arrive at a logical solution that they recognise our right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes and accept us into the club,” the president said. AFP

From correspondents in Tehran

THE UN nuclear watchdog must accept Iran’s right to enrich uranium as part of its civil nuclear program, Iranian President Mohammad Khatami said today.

“We are still hoping that with the negotiations we have had, we will arrive at a logical solution that they recognise our right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes and accept us into the club,” the president said.

“After that there will be no problem between the Islamic republic and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),” he said.

Under pressure from the IAEA, Iran agreed last year to suspend enriching uranium – one of the most sensitive parts of the nuclear fuel cycle that can provide

fuel for both power stations or for nuclear bombs.