March 21, 2008 Iran Wants Nuclear
Weapons
to Destroy Others: Bush
Washington
US President George W. Bush charged that Iran has proclaimed its
intention to destroy other countries with nuclear weapons, in
comments that escalate the tone of the international debate and
appear to have no base in past statements by Iran.
In an interview with Voice of America Thursday, Bush urged the
people of Iran to understand that their own government was
responsible for Iran's isolation because of its foreign policy
decisions - "such as announcing they want to destroy countries with
a nuclear weapon".
"It is irresponsible remarks like that which cause great credibility
loss with the Iranian government, the actions of which are affecting
the country," Bush said.
The interview with the US broadcaster was granted on Iran's Nowruz
holiday, or New Year, and Bush sent greetings to the people of Iran
on the occasion.
Just late last year, US intelligence officials concluded that Iran
had stopped its weapons programme.
In a Washington Post story Friday, experts said there is no record
of Iran declaring its intention to destroy countries with nuclear
weapons.
Just days ago, Republican presidential nominee John McCain misstated
Iran's involvement with Al Qaeda while visiting Jordan, saying that
it was training Al Qaeda terrorists.
His senate colleague Joseph Lieberman, who was travelling with him,
corrected his mistake.
The UN Security Council has passed a series of increasingly tough
sanctions to force Iran to stop its uranium enrichment programme,
which can produce weapons-grade material.
Iran has refused to stop enrichment or to accept the offer of
supplies of enriched uranium from Russia. Iran denies any intentions
of producing nuclear weapons but says it wants to build up its
network of nuclear power plants to produce much-needed electricity.
Bush said he supports Iran's peaceful nuclear programme.
Earlier this week, the US and Israel chastised Switzerland for
sealing a huge gas deal with Iran estimated at $30 billion.
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