Iranian President Khatami Tours Nuclear Facilities

The following are excerpts from a story on Al-Jazeera TV regarding the Iranian president's visit to nuclear facilities in the country that aired on March 31, 2005

Reporter: This is the first time that the Iranian authorities have opened the gates of their nuclear facilities in Natanz and Isfahan to local and foreign media. The Natanz facility receives significant military protection and was built deep underground to resist any possible threat. The Natanz facility stopped its uranium enrichment after the IAEA has sealed its centrifuges last year. The Isfahan facility, which produces yellow cake, continues to operate partially. It was clear that Khatami's tour to both facilities demonstrated that his government has high hopes to renew all of Iran's nuclear programs soon.

Khatami: Despite all the pressures, Iran is on the threshold of producing nuclear fuel. You can rest assured that we will not relinquish our right to enrich uranium, and we will do what we say. We are sure a satisfactory understanding can be reached with our European friends.

Reporter: While the Iranian president's declarations regarding the future of the dialogue with the Europeans were optimistic, they were not so optimistic towards the American administration. Khatami totally rejected Washington's proposal that his country relinquish its nuclear projects in return for incentives. Many Iranian experts did not conceal their disappointment with what they consider to be unjustified continued suspension of the activities in their nuclear facilities.

Iranian Official: There is not justification, legal of moral, for the continued suspension of our nuclear activities, as long as our facilities are subject to tight international inspection, not implemented on any other country in the world.

Reporter: The decision-making circles in Tehran have become increasingly convinced of the need to take decisive position on the nuclear issue because any hesitation may have far-reaching ramifications on Iran's present and future.