Khatami reiterates Iran's right to peaceful use of nuclear energy

Visiting Iranian President Mohammad Khatami said on Monday that Iran insists on its right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

During his one-day official visit to Austria, Khatami met with his Austrian counterpart Heinz Fischer, Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel and Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik.

Following the meetings, Khatami urged the United States to drop its opposition to his country's nuclear activities.

The nuclear technology will meet Iran's increased demand for energy sources, Khatami said, adding that "many European and Asian nations" are worried about the negative environmental effects of using oil "and therefore we must seek alternatives."

Khatami rejected US charges that Iran wanted to enrich uranium for secret development of atomic bombs.

Iran "does not want anything other than what law and the international community agree to," he said. "We must try to get all arms factories which threaten the existence of mankind out of the way."

The president said he was confident about ongoing talks with Germany, France and Britain on Iran's nuclear program.

He hoped that the two sides could find a solution to the issue, which will not only meet Iran's demand for peaceful use of nuclear technology, but also eliminate European countries' concern about its nuclear program.

Plassnik noted later that Austria supports the talks between the European Union and Iran, which will lay the foundation for mutual trust and eliminate the international community's concern.

After his visit to Vienna, Khatami will go on to Paris and meet with French President Jacques Chirac Tuesday on the sidelines of a meeting of the UN Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization.