Algeria defends Iran's right to nukes

Published: March. 9, 2005 at 7:52 AM

ALGIERS, Algeria, March 9 (UPI) -- Algerian Foreign Minister Abdel Aziz Belkhadem said his country would defend Iran's right to possess nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.

The daily al-Yom Wednesday quoted Belkhadem as saying that Algeria "in its capacity as a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency and a non-permanent member of the Security Council will defend its own right as well as the right of Iran and all countries in the peaceful use of nuclear energy."

He stressed, "We and others have the right to possess that technology as long as we don't use it wrongly."

Belkhadem noted that Algeria is operating a nuclear reactor in the south, which is regularly monitored by IAEA inspectors in line with international treaties.

"This reactor poses no threat to the region's security, despite the media campaign waged against it," he added.

© 2005 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Order reprints



Additional News Stories
Ichiro, Hunter win 9th Gold Glove Award (1 min)
Collaros to start at QB for Bearcats (5 min)
U.S. markets mixed Tuesday (13 min)
Dodd presents financial regulatory bill (34 min)
Man held for six hours for swearing (41 min)
Jury acquits Bear Stearns managers (48 min)
Wrapping paper covered in swastikas
fark
Move over, al Queda--there's a new jihadi code in town, and it doesn't like the way you play
3 years ago, Chinese calendar year of the cow... Mad Cow disease. 2 years ago, Chinese calendar...
Man charged for allegedly assaulting construction worker with a backhoe. Officials say the victim...
Evidence found of plot to kill cartoonist, but details are sketchy
♫The best part of waking up is a CTA bus crashing into the side of your house♫
The president calls him..."The Crustmaster"