Iranian University Students Form a "Human Chain" around Nuclear Facilities in Esfahan

The following are excepts from a story about an Iranian "human chain" around Esfahan's nuclear facilities, which aired on Iranian channel 1 on August 16, 2005

Anchorman: Hundreds of students and professors from universities throughout Iran arrived in the Uranium Conversion Facility (UCF) in Esfahan this morning. They formed a human chain around the facility and called upon the heads of our country's nuclear program officials to take a resolute stand against the excessive demands of the domineering governments.

Reporter: This morning, a group of Iranian university students protested the IAEA's discriminating resolution, and expressed their support of our country's use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. They gathered in front of the nuclear facilities in Esfahan.

Crowd: The UCF in Esfahan is just the beginning of our efforts. Nuclear energy is our inalienable right.

Student 1: I am an Iranian student. I came from Tehran together with the other students. The purpose of the student movement in this gathering is to defend Iran's inalienable right and to protest the Board of Governors' recent discriminating resolution. We also support the government's recent measure of activating Esfahan's nuclear facilities.

Student 2: I am Amin Afshari, a student in the Industrial University. I would like to tell a story, which explains why were are here. My father studied in America 25 years ago. After returning to Iran, he said to me: "Amin, over there, they have a saying in English about Third World countries. They say: Give them the fish, not the hook." Now we have built the hook, and they are upset. I think their problem is that we have built it and they want to deprive us of it. Because we've managed to achieve this technology, which is for peaceful purposes, we will stand firm against them.

Student 3: I am a marine engineering student from Amir Kabir University. This is a symbolic act to defend Iran's nuclear activity. They have connected our nuclear activity to all kinds of political matters around the world, and they don't follow international law. Therefore, the support of the students demonstrates that Iran enjoys the support and power of the people. They should refrain from using the language of arrogance. They must adhere to the laws on which all countries agree. According to these laws, we are entitled to use this energy.

[...]

Crowd: The Iranian will not suffer humiliation. He will give is life...

Anchorman: Students and members of the academic staff who were present in front of the UCF in Esfahan issued a communique at the end of their gathering. They emphasized their resistance, and their adherence to the principles and values of the Islamic Revolution, against the excessive demands of the domineering governments. Furthermore, they stressed Iran's need to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, as well as their support of the efforts of Iran's senior officials.