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Iranian ambassador exposes U.S.
double standards
• Before the Islamic Revolution,
Washington proposed the idea of developing nuclear
energy to produce electricity, and now it is
condemning Iran for doing just that, stresses Ahmad
Edrisian
BY ELSON CONCEPCION PEREZ—Special for Granma
International—
THE
Islamic Republic of Iran celebrates the 28th
anniversary of the triumph of its revolution on
February 11, and is preparing to do so with
significant advances in its economic development,
its nuclear program for peaceful ends, its
democracy, and an expansion in terms of meeting the
needs of its people.
Ahmad Edrisian, the Iranian ambassador to Cuba,
stated in an exclusive interview with Granma
International that that date will see the
inauguration of 3,000 centrifuges for the production
of enriched uranium, a nuclear fuel to be utilized
for the generation of electrical energy and other
peaceful ends.
He
also noted that, in three month’s time, the country
will begin to produce the first 1,000 megavolts of
electricity generated by nuclear energy, the first
phase of a planned program that is opposed by the
Western powers headed by the United States.
The
diplomat assured that the entire process – as is the
case to date – is to be inspected by the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and will
be within the framework of the Non-Proliferation
Treaty (NPT), of which Iran is a signatory.
Why
is Iran insisting on thermonuclear energy?
As a
signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, Iran has
the right to produce that energy for peaceful ends.
One
has to take into account that, in the not-so-distant
future, resources like oil and gas will be
exhausted, and for our country, which is on the road
to development, the utilization of nuclear energy
for those ends is essential.
According to analyses and studies undertaken by
certain countries, including the United States, the
resources of the Republic of Iran will be exhausted
in 10 years and will have to depend, to a large
extent, on nuclear energy.
Obviously, considering our right as a member country
of the NPT, we are obliged to utilize that energy
for our development programs.
All
the Western countries, including the United States,
acknowledged prior to the Islamic Revolution that
Iran would have to depend on nuclear energy for
public use.
It
was precisely the Americans who proposed the
development of nuclear energy in Iran 30 years ago.
For that reason the Persian country established
nuclear cooperation relations with certain Western
countries like Germany and France, and an agreement
was even signed with the Germans to build the Bucher
plant which, at the triumph of the Revolution, was
70% executed.
This
explains that the Iranian nuclear issue is nothing
new; its antecedents date back to before the triumph
of the Islamic Revolution.
What
area would be developed with that energy?
The
proposal that we received from the Americans was to
produce 20,000 megavolts of electricity with nuclear
energy, and that was when Iran had 35 million
inhabitants; so now, when it has more than 70
million, the need would logically be greater.
On
this basis the Iranian Parliament approved a plan to
produce 20,000 megavolts of electrical energy by
nuclear fission in the next 20 years.
The
problems?
This
is all happening while the Western countries have
halted any type of nuclear cooperation with Iran,
the reason why the completion of the Bucher plant,
paralyzed for many years, is now being executed via
a contract with the Russians.
In
the next few months electricity generated via that
plant will be in the national network.
I
should explain that that both Iran and Russia have
come under a lot of pressure from the West for that
cooperation.
Before yes, now no?
This
is the best example of the double standards of the
United States and the West. Before the Islamic
Revolution they made plans for Iran to develop
nuclear energy and reach a production of 20,000
megavolts of electricity and now they are condemning
Iran because it is developing those plans.
And
the case of Israel with its 200 nuclear warheads?
In
this instance, the international community knows
that even the Prime Minister of Israel himself has
acknowledged that that country possesses nuclear
weapons; however, that has produced no reaction
either in the UN Security Council or in the West.
However, and according to the Non-Proliferation
Treaty, the Middle East region should be a territory
free of nuclear weapons.
In
this case what the Israeli premier confessed is a
serious and genuine threat to the security of the
region and the world.
Nevertheless, the Security Council condemned Iran¼
Yes,
the Security Council resolution against Iran was
achieved by pressure from the United States and
other Western countries. It is a resolution contrary
to the UN Charter. It is an extra-judicial and
illegal document and the Islamic Republic of Iran
rejects it in its totality.
The
solution to this problem cannot be via resolutions
or condemnations, but only via dialogue, and our
country is disposed to continue dialogue with all
the Western countries, without prior conditions.
We
do not want confrontation in any way. Iran is
disposed to strictly comply with its international
obligations within the framework of the
Non-Proliferation Treaty and under the supervision
of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
What
is the United States threatening?
The
United States and the West should definitely know
that sanctions and embargoes do not solve anything
because the Islamic Republic of Iran is a country
that has never threatened or invaded anyone in the
last 200 years, and we are highly interested in
participating in efforts to secure international
peace and, naturally, we defend our right to
development and hope that the Western countries will
understand our position for once and for all.
The
Iranian nuclear issue is a national matter and not a
threat to anyone.
The
same thing is now happening with the Iranian nuclear
issue as when Iran nationalized its oil and was
taken before the Security Council for that measure.
In
both cases our country has defended its rights and
will not renounce them.
And
the municipal elections?
Another issue that has recently been distorted by
the West is that of the recently concluded
elections. Despite all the anti-propaganda, the
Iranian people en masse went to the polls to elect
the municipal councils.
More
than 60% of the population participated. That mass
presence showed the world their support for the
government and the Iranian program.
All
the tendencies and groups were present at these
elections and had access to the municipal councils.
That demonstrates the absolute freedom and democracy
existing in Iran; totally contrary to what Western
propaganda is saying.
We
also had elections for the Councils of Experts,
which are responsible for electing the leader of the
Revolution.
In
terms of the municipal councils 5,000 women were
candidates and in certain cities it was the women
who occupied the top posts.
How
are relations with Cuba going?
I
would also like to mention friendly relations with
Cuba. We are sister nations with very good relations
of economic cooperation.
The
Cuban presidency of the Non-Aligned movement is very
important and I am sure that it will advance a very
important and favorable development within that
movement.
It
should be highlighted that the role of the NAM is
much more important given that the United States
wants to impose unilateralism.
How
did 2006 end in Iran?
During the year that recently ended Iran has
attained considerable development. We have produced
one million automobiles; 15 million tons of
petrochemical products and 11 million tons of steel.
When we celebrate our 28th
anniversary of the Islamic Revolution we shall do so
with all these positive indicators and in spite of
Western pressure and propaganda.
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