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Ahmadinejad: US Claims of Iran Pursuing Nukes Are Like 'TV Series'

   Iran's  president has mocked repeated accusations by the United States
   and its allies that Tehran is pursuing nuclear weapons.

   VOA News 24 December 2009
   Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (File)

Photo: AP

   Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (File)

   Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told the British television network Channel 4 that
   the accusations have, in his words, turned into a "TV series."  He was
   responding  to  Western  allegations  that  Iran is developing nuclear
   weapons  under  cover  of  a civilian energy program - a charge Tehran
   denies.
   Mr.  Ahmadinejad  said  talk  of  Iran's  nuclear  program  is an "old
   issue."  He repeated his rejection of U.S. demands for him to accept a
   U.N.-drafted  nuclear  deal  by  the  end  of  this  year, calling the
   deadline "meaningless."
   The  deal  would require Iran to ship most of its low-enriched uranium
   abroad  for  further processing and eventual use in an Iranian medical
   reactor.
   U.S.  President  Barack  Obama has said he may pursue new sanctions on
   Iran  through the United Nations Security Council if Tehran misses the
   deadline.
   China  on  Thursday  called  for increased diplomatic negotiations and
   dialogue to resolve the dispute over Iran's nuclear program.
   Foreign  Ministry  Spokeswoman  Jiang  Yu  said  that sanctions cannot
   resolve the root issue.
   China is a veto-wielding member of the U.N. Security Council.


   Some information for this report was provided by AFP.

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