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R E G I O N: ‘West bullying Iran over its nuclear programme’

JAKARTA: Iran on Saturday hit out at pressure over its controversial nuclear programme, accusing developed countries of bullying to prevent the proliferation of atomic technology.

In a speech to a conference of Asian and African leaders, Iranian Vice President Mohammad Reza Arif complained of the industrialised world’s “illogical” opposition to nuclear and other scientific advances. “Developing countries have reached great advancements in various scientific areas such as nanotechnology and nuclear energy,” Arif said. “However, unfortunately we are witnessing certain limitations and barriers to stop these countries attaining modern technology.”

The United States charges that Iran is using its development of atomic power to secretly develop nuclear weapons, and says Tehran and must be kept from enriching uranium, the first step to nuclear weapons capability.

Enrichment makes fuel for nuclear power reactors but also the explosive core of atom bombs.

Arif called on Asian and African countries to band together to claim what he called the “undeniable right of all developing countries” to gain access to technological advances. “In fighting against this unfair practice, which is based on vicious political considerations and illogical bullying by certain industrial developed countries, the political unanimity among Asian and African countries can play an absolutely effective role.” afp

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