Wednesday, March 05, 2008

Ahmadinejad: We won't discuss our nuclear program with anyone

Dudi Cohen

UN decision on new sanctions 'unlawful and unimportant,' Iranian leader says, adding ' If the world powers believe that the Iranian nation will conduct negotiations in an atmosphere of force and pressure - then they are mistaken'

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Wednesday that Iran would not hold negotiations with regards to its nuclear program with anyone, according to a report by the IRNA news agency.


Ahmadinejad referred to the recent UN Security Council decision to toughen sanctions on the Islamic state, saying that "it is clear that this decision is unlawful and unimportant. This decision will not harm the Iranian nation at all.


"It is clear that there are people outside the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) who believe Iran is obligated to negotiate - but this isn't the case," he said following a cabinet meeting. "Iran is willing to discuss with other countries issues such as disarmament, global security and the world's economy because Iran is a strong country."


'New reality on the ground'

According to the Iranian leader the UN resolution "will not harm the Iranian nation at all, but will rather damage the credibility of the Security Council.


"From here on end, the Iranian issue will be dealt with solely by the IAEA in accordance with the mutual commitments and the Non-Proliferation Agreement. We have repeatedly announced that the (Iranian) nuclear issue has been resolved and that the agency's report is proof of this," Ahmadinejad said.


"If they (world powers) believe that the Iranian nation will conduct negotiations in an atmosphere of force and pressure - then they are mistaken. We suggest that they change their behavior because they will be the ones to suffer from it."


On Tuesday Russia called on Iran to study the incentives the world's key powers are offering - including improved relations with the United States - and suspend uranium enrichment as the Security Council is demanding.



Russia's UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said there is broader consensus among the world's powers today on how to deal with Iran and a new reality on the ground that will hopefully create the right conditions for Tehran to halt enrichment.

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