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Iranian president: Uranium enrichment and construction of nuclear power plant is non-negotiable issues

Nuclear Program Materials 8 December 2010 17:33 (UTC +04:00)

Issues of enriching uranium to 20 percent and construction of nuclear power plant are not subject to debate, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying by Mehr.

He stressed that the successful cooperation between Iran and Western countries is possible only after the elimination of sanctions.

"Western countries think that the increased pressure on Iran and the adoption of new resolutions will force us to retreat from our goals," Ahmadinejad said. "But they should realize that we will not retreat under any circumstances."

Another round of talks on the Iranian nuclear issue was over in Geneva on Tuesday. Deputy foreign ministers of Russia, the United States, Great Britain, China, France, Germany and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton attended the talks. Iran was represented by Secretary of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili.

Iran has repeatedly said that its right to nuclear development is not a topic for discussion.

Iran produced 35 kilograms of 20-percent enriched uranium, Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Ali Akbar Salehi said in late November.

Salehi added Iran is able to produce an average of 3 kg of highly enriched uranium in a month.

"If necessary, we can produce up to 5 kg of highly enriched uranium in a week, but there is no need yet," he said.

Earlier, Salehi said the country produced 30 kg of 20-percent enriched uranium. In late August, the figure was 25 kg.

The enriched uranium can be used to produce nuclear weapons. However, it is necessary as fuel for atomic power plants. Several countries, including the U.S., are sure that Iran strives to develop nuclear weapons and call for to prevent this development. Tehran denies all the charges, saying that its nuclear program has peaceful purposes.

Until now, the UN Security Council adopted six resolutions, four of which are aimed at imposing sanctions against Iran, requiring to abandon uranium enrichment, and two resolutions containing warnings.

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