Iran ready to produce, sell nuclear fuel, says foreign minister

The Hindustan Times ^ | 2/14/04

[Rams82]

Iran ready to produce, sell nuclear fuel, says foreign minister Agence France-Presse Tehran, February 14

Iran's Foreign Minister said on Saturday that his country had the capacity to produce nuclear fuel and was ready to sell it to foreign buyers, the official news agency IRNA reported.

"As a country that is capable of producing nuclear fuel, the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to sell it on the international market," Kamal Kharazi said on return from a two-day visit to Rome.

While the minister repeated his denials that Iran was seeking to develop nuclear weapons, his comments appeared to suggest Tehran would no longer be honouring a pledge to suspend the enrichment of uranium.

"We have no programme to produce nuclear weapons," Kharazi was quoted as saying.

"The Iranian people are not ready to compromise on their national interests. No government can relinquish an issue that has gained it national pride, but we are ready to cooperate internationally," he added.

Iran is currently working on a bid to generate atomic energy, seen by the United States as a cover for the secret development of nuclear weapons.

However, the state of Iran's effort to produce its own nuclear fuel, let alone export it, had been considered limited given the country's effort to acquire such fuel from Russia.

Iran only announced in early 2003 that it was beginning to mine its own uranium. In October, it agreed to suspend its work on the nuclear fuel cycle and allow tougher inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

[samtheman]

Time to invade Iran? We will be welcomed by the anti-clerical majority there.

[Rams82]

I just wonder if Moscow would oppose us with words only..

[Prodigal Son]

This is not a serious issue. Kerry can deal with this /sarcasm

[samtheman]

You're right. We've let the Russians down terribly by not supporting them 100% in their fight against the filthy Chechen rebels. So why should they help us?

[Rams82]

Maybe this embarrasment of the EU agreement will finally cause the E.U. to wake up to the dishonesty and danger of these kind of regimes...but i doubt it.

[meenie]

Uranium is produced all over the world. It is used in all sorts of medical equipment as well as industrial uses. The big test is whether it is being refined to the weapons grade purity. I seriously doubt if Iran has an equivalent of the TVA. If it does, it would be hard to conceal.
After the recent revelations of our intelligence capabilities, who knows?

[Rams82]

The Russians fully support the Iranian Nuclear program. Its one of their top cash cows...

[Prodigal Son]

Hey, if it would just wake up democrats I would be happy.

[Rams82]

Democrats, E.U. same thing...

[Prodigal Son]

No, not the same thing. The UK, Spain, Italy, Netherlands are helping us in Iraq. The dems are constantly undermining our efforts there.

[cardinal4]

No, not the same thing. The UK, Spain, Italy, Netherlands are helping us in Iraq. The dems are constantly undermining our efforts there.

Dont forget the Bulgarians, the Poles and the Hungarians. Yes I know they are not in the club yet. But European contribution cannot be discussed without including them. Rumsfeld was right; New Europe is where we should be concentrating our efforts. Having felt the yoke, they know when and what to fight for. During the war, France was the only country to have a subservient government (Vichy). Their capitulation is evident still today with their efforts to derail us, and appease dictators. The rest of Europe fought as best they could. France embodies all of Rumsfelds statement. IMHO, Old Europe is too far gone to be saved..

[Prodigal Son]

Yeah, I only left them out because of the technicality. I think it's important to be clear when talking about Europe, the EU and the ECU. They too often get confused. I am fully aware of the contributions Poland and other nations who are standing in line to become part of the EU have made.

[Rams82]

If only the power of the EU wasn't centered around France and Germany...

[Prodigal Son]

And the UK...

Freepers too often leave this out. The UK is just as involved in the inner workings of the UK as Germany and France.

[LS]

See, this is the MORTAL DANGER that the Dems are now posing to this country. We may very well be forced to deal with Iran---what if, for ex., we find that the WMDs were moved there?---but the Dems are on the "credibility offensive," and with Kay framing his stupid testimony the way he did, the Dems are making it impossible to respond to ANY new threat, no matter how eminent. Disturbing.

[Rams82]

The UK is still very skeptical about the E.U. They havent even joined the Euro.

[EEDUDE]

"I seriously doubt if Iran has an equivalent of the TVA. If it does, it would be hard to conceal.
After the recent revelations of our intelligence capabilities, who knows?"

You might be right, but what happens if you're wrong?

This is the danger of dismissing anything our intelligence agencies say. It seems they are under attack as "liars" too, as has been the case in most Democratic administrations.

[EEDUDE]

"No, not the same thing. The UK, Spain, Italy, Netherlands are helping us in Iraq. The dems are constantly undermining our efforts there."

You are DEAD right buddy. If we get JFK ....we get terrorism here at home.

[Rams82]

I have heard the opinion this charade that Iran pulled with the E.U. is just help world opinion for the Russians to build the Bushehr Reactor.