Khatami: Kerry, Bush both hostile to Iran
Laptop Battery Wednesday, 20th October 2004
United Press International
Tehran, Iran - Iranian President Mohammed Khatami charged Wednesday that President George Bush and his election rival Sen. John Kerry are both hostile to Iran.
The Iranian News Agency, IRNA, quoted Khatami as saying "Kerry and Bush are both wrong if they think they can deprive Iran of its legitimate right to acquire nuclear technology."
"U.S. policy is based on denying the right of Iran in enriching uranium to produce nuclear fuel and this is something we do not accept," he said.
Khatami aired a gloomy outlook about U.S. future policy towards his country saying both Bush and Kerry were hostile to Iran.
"We hope America will adopt a wiser and fairer policy in view of the lessons it has learned as a result of its arrogant attitude and expansionist policies."
"We are confident that America is not capable anymore of repeating the same methods as in Iraq because it is definitely not in its interest," Khatami said.
In three and a half years the Bush administration has tried engaging Iran, but little has come of its efforts. Diplomatic contacts at low levels were suspended in May of last year. Senator John Kerry, the Democratic presidential candidate, is charging the Bush administration with ignoring the Iran problem. Mr. Kerry said last month that the United States "must work with our allies to end Iran's nuclear weapons program and be ready to work with them to implement a range of tougher measures if needed."
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