Monday, July 7, 2008

Ahmadinejad: No Suspension

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad today insisted Iran would not suspend its uranium enrichment program. Speaking from Malaysia, where he is attending a D-8 Summit, Ahmadinejad called the latest proposals by world’s major power to settle the nuclear dispute a “repetitive scenario.”

“On one side they (world powers) ask to negotiate and on the other they threaten and say that we must give in to their illegal demands and renounce our rights,” Ahmadinejad said.

In Paris, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, who is scheduled to visit Tehran on behalf of the major powers, said he was not optimistic about prospects for a breakthrough with Iran on the nuclear standoff. “It is difficult,” Solana said.

Ahmadinejad’s latest remarks show no willingness on part of Iran to accept any compromise that would require a temporary suspension or even a freeze on the current level of enrichment activities.

The Daily Telegraph today quoted Western intelligence officials as saying that Iran has resumed it nuclear weapon project. The work is reportedly aimed at developing the atomic bomb blueprint provided by A. Q. Khan. The report accuses IRGC of setting up a number of civilian companies to work on the project while concealing their existence from IAEA inspectors.

Meanwhile in Tokyo, President George Bush, attending the G-8 Summit, met for the first time with Dmitry Medvedev, the new Russian president. The two said they will work jointly to block Iran’s uranium enrichment efforts. They mentioned Iran as an area of common interest which requires their cooperation.

“We had a good discussion about Iran,” said Bush.

“The two nations have a general agreement on their approach on Iran,” said Medvedev.

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