Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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July 23, 2008

Iran Vows to Pursue Nuclear Technology 
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1D5C837:A6F02AD83191E160F8A88CB96607F7BFE55ED32ED25AB8F6&
 
In national speech, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says his country will
not back down despite international pressure 
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Iran's president, Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad, has called the U.S. decision to send a representative to
nuclear talks in Geneva a "positive step."But he reiterated Wednesday in
a speech on Iranian television that his country will not back down in
the face of international pressure to suspend sensitive nuclear
activities.Mr. Ahmadinejad vowed Iran will continue to pursue nuclear
technology despite the efforts of what he called "oppressive
powers."Earlier this week, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said
Iran could face additional sanctions if it does not suspend uranium
enrichment.Rice said Iran failed to give a serious response to a package
of incentives during nuclear talks with world powers in Geneva Saturday.
She warned that world powers are in the strongest possible position to
return to sanctions if Iran does not act.The United States and its
Western allies have accused Iran of working to produce a nuclear weapon.
Iran says its n!
 uclear program is peaceful.Iranian and European Union negotiators have
agreed to meet again in two weeks.Highly enriched uranium can be used to
build a nuclear weapon.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.


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