Iraq demands right to nuclear power

Iraq's Science and Technology Minister Raed Fahmi says the country needs access to civilian nuclear energy for its economic and energy needs.

In an interview with AFP, Fahmi urged the international community to lift the Saddam-era UN resolutions to pave the way for Iraq's development.

"Our nuclear strategy is for civilian application of atomic energy and we believe we have the right and that certain obstacles contained in Resolution 707 should be lifted," he said.

UN Security Council Resolution 707 bans all nuclear activity in the country until the Council certifies its respect for non-proliferation treaties.

"We have a clear and transparent political strategy in close coordination with international bodies, and Iraq has the right to certain of its capacities," the minister said.

He stressed that Iraq has made no decision yet to build a nuclear power plant.

"We are working to put into practice and respect all Iraq's commitments, and we have raised this issue with the IAEA," the International Atomic Energy Agency, the minister said.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=111413§ionid=351020201.