Thursday, March 17 2005 10:30 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Isfahan (Iran): Iran's President Mohammad Khatami asserted yesterday (Mar 16, 2005) that no incentives would be enough to convince the Islamic republic to renounce its nuclear programme, but pledged the country would make "every effort" to convince the world it was not seeking atomic weapons.

"We will not give up our nuclear technology in return for any incentives. We will not accept any incentives. And we will make every effort to convince the world that what we have is peaceful," Khatami told a news conference.

When asked to respond to US demands that Iran abandon its bid to master the fuel cycle and enrich uranium, Khatami replied, "Then I ask (US President George W) Bush to stop his incorrect policies against Iran and the Middle East."

"Part of the crisis in the Middle East comes form the United States. If the US really wants to put a stop to atomic weapons, it should go to the countries that are not members of the NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty) and who do not abide by international regulations," Khatami said.

"The most dangerous of them is Israel."

"We are also worried about nuclear weapons. We are in no way seeking atomic weapons because it is contrary to our beliefs," he insisted.

Iran is in the midst of negotiations with Britain, France and Germany, who have been trying to secure "objective guarantees" that the clerical regime will not use its atomic energy programme to acquire nuclear weapons.