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.

http://www.granma.cu/ingles/2007/enero07/vier19/03iran-i.html