Iran vows not to pursue nuclear weapons

Iranian President Mohammad Khatami said Wednesday his country will not pursue nuclear weapons but will strive for the right to utilize atomic energy for peaceful purposes. Khatami made the announcement at a joint press conference with his Sudanese counterpart Omar el-Bashir in the last day of his three-day visit to Sudan. "We will continue the cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), but we have to maintain our right to obtain nuclear energy for peaceful purposes without being subject to any conspiracies or pressures," said Khatami. As an IAEA member, Iran has the right to use particular technologies related to nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, the president noted, indicating that Iran has worked out a program for nuclear electricity production. On Iraq, Khatami called for free and fair elections held as soon as possible.