ALGIERS - Iranian Vice-President for Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Ahmad Mousavi said in Rabat, Morocco, on Friday that Tehran will not give up its right to acquire nuclear technology and produce nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

Addressing reporters after a meeting with Moroccan Prime Minister Driss Jettou, the Iranian official reiterated the Islamic Republic of Iran's "readiness to hold talks in order to convince the world community that its nuclear activities are transparent and for peaceful purposes." He then gave a synopsis of latest developments in the Iran nuclear issue as well as Tehran's principled stance on its right as well as that of other countries to pursue nuclear energy under international law, rules and regulations and under the supervision of the UN nuclear watchdog. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's speech before the United Nations General Assembly last year which included an invitation for governments and private entities to participate in Iran's nuclear activities was aimed at building confidence and proving to the world the peaceful nature of Tehran's nuclear activities," Mousavi said. "Iran has so far been cooperating with pertinent bodies on its nuclear programs much more than it is legally committed," Mousavi added. Nevertheless, if need be, Tehran will continue its cooperation to further prove its transparency but will not in any way abandon its legal right under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)." The official defended Iran's decision to resume nuclear research announced on January 10, 2006, saying it was perfectly within its rights as "its decision to suspend nuclear activities two years ago was a purely voluntary measure." Mousavi, currently on a regional tour of Africa, has already been to Egypt, Libya and Algeria. PIN/IRNA
کد خبر 77690