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Ahmadinejad: Iran is 'Nuclear Country'

   VOA News 28 December 2010
   Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad listens to a question during his
   press conference in Tehran, Iran, 29 Nov 2010

Photo: AP

   Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad listens to a question during his
   press conference in Tehran, Iran, 29 Nov 2010

   Iranian  President  Mahmoud  Ahmadinejad  has declared Iran a "nuclear
   country."
   In  a  speech  at  the  northern  Iranian  city  of  Karaj on Tuesday,
   Ahmadinejad  also  said  Iran  is  ready for "honest talks" with world
   powers  at  an  upcoming  meeting  in Turkey over its disputed nuclear
   program.
   He  said Western political and economic pressures have failed and left
   Iran nuclear independent.
   The  comments  come  as  Iran  and  the  permanent members of the U.N.
   Security  Council,  as  well  as Germany, are set to engage in another
   round of talks in late January.
   In  the  speech,  Ahmadinejad decried international sanctions and said
   they have only strengthened Iran.
   The  U.N.  Security  Council  imposed  a  fourth  and tougher round of
   sanctions  on  Iran  in  June  after  Tehran refused to halt sensitive
   nuclear activities.
   The  U.S.  and its allies suspect Iran is pursuing weapons under cover
   of  its nuclear program. Iran denies the charge, saying its program is
   for peaceful means.
   Iran  held a first round of talks with officials from the U.S., China,
   Russia,  France,  Britain,  Germany  and  the European Union in Geneva
   earlier this month.

   Â

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