'Our enemies are mentally ill'

2006-05-18 20:48

Tehran - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad poked fun at opponents of his country's nuclear programme on Thursday, saying they had mental problems.

Speaking in the town of Zarandiyeh, central Iran, Ahmadinejad said: "Those who get sad at the progress and happiness of others are suffering from mental and psychological problems, so they should find a way to cure themselves."

The United States and its European Union allies want Iran to end uranium enrichment activities as a guarantee it will not make atomic weapons.

Iran says it has right to nuclear technology and wants the fuel for producing electricity.

Since his election last year, the president has needled critics of Iran's nuclear programme, raising tensions with the US and the EU.

"We do not have a fight with anyone, but we will not step back on our absolute rights," said Ahmadinejad.

Iran said it has enriched uranium to 4.8%, at the top end of the three to 5% range for fuel used in nuclear power plants, but far below the 80% level needed for weapons.

'Billions support our nuclear right'

Ahamdinejad said billions of people in the world support Iran's right to nuclear technology.

"More than two billion people were happy and celebrated when they heard the news about Iran's nuclear achievement," said Ahmadinejad.

Britain, France and Germany plan to offer Iran a package of incentives to the country to freeze a uranium enrichment programme that the West suspects has military dimensions.

Ahmadinejad turned down the expected European incentives in return for halting uranium enrichment, saying it was like trading "candy for gold".

The European offer will be discussed in detail at a meeting of senior EU, US, Russian and Chinese officials in London next week.

EU officials said security guarantees were the major sticking point in producing a credible package, including an offer to build a light-water nuclear reactor.

- Reuters