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Ambassador Araghchi, addressing the seminar
On December 5th, 2008 at The Nippon Foundation Building in Akasaka, Tokyo, H.E. Dr. Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran gave a lecture on the issue of nuclear development in Iran, a country currently receiving worldwide media attention rivalling that of North Korea. The ambassador categorically denied the allegation that nuclear development was taking place in Iran, stating, “Nuclear weapons are of no use to Iran. Development and possession of these weapons runs contrary to the teachings of Islam.” In an appeal to American President-elect Barack Obama, the ambassador said, “Prior to policy change, there must be a change in the approach towards the Middle East”.
Dr. Araghchi, who was involved with the nuclear issue as Iran’s vice minister of foreign affairs, became ambassador to Japan in March 2008. As part of an initiative to improve the image of Iran overseas, the ambassador appealed for “nuclear power to be used only for peace” during a visit to the Peace Memorial Museum in Hiroshima, Japan. During his hour-long lecture in Tokyo, entitled “Iranian Nuclear Development” and hosted by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Dr. Araghchi reported on Iran’s stance and ideology on the nuclear issue.
Dr. Araghchi, who was involved with the nuclear issue as Iran’s vice minister of foreign affairs, became ambassador to Japan in March 2008. As part of an initiative to improve the image of Iran overseas, the ambassador appealed for “nuclear power to be used only for peace” during a visit to the Peace Memorial Museum in Hiroshima, Japan. During his hour-long lecture in Tokyo, entitled “Iranian Nuclear Development” and hosted by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Dr. Araghchi reported on Iran’s stance and ideology on the nuclear issue.
The lecture hall, packed with a hundred-plus audience
Araghchi then said in reference to nuclear weapons, “Even America, with its countless nuclear warheads, could not prevent the attacks of 9/11. Israel cannot launch a nuclear strike at Iran, and Iran has the capability to counter such an attack”, further developing the theory that Iran has no need of nuclear weapons. The ambassador emphasized the fact that, “Iran hopes for peace in the Middle East. We cannot produce oil unless there is peace. Iran is not the same as North Korea.”
Lively questioning from the floor
In most cases, low-enriched uranium is sufficient for nuclear power generation. Accordingly, the Executive Council for the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) and others in European countries and the U.S. have called strongly for sanctions on Iran, believing that Iran’s use of highly-enriched uranium at nuclear power plants and nuclear facilities shows that the country is aiming to produce nuclear weapons. In contrast, China, Russia and other countries have shown little interest, indicating a split in opinion on the issue.
(Miyazaki Tadashi, the Nippon Foundation)
*This article was reproduced from The Nippon Foundation Blog Magazine with the permission of the Nippon Foundation.
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