Sharon links nuke talks to peace; Iran cleric hits out at ElBaradei

[Blackaxe]

TEHRAN (Agencies): Iran's clerical leadership Friday denounced a visit to Israel by UN atomic energy chief Mohamed ElBaradei, accusing him of unfairly pressuring the Islamic republic while failing to speak out against the Jewish state's alleged nuclear arsenal. "The Zionists have so many warheads," protested Ayatollah Mohammad Emami Kashani at the main weekly prayers in Tehran. "And this Mr ElBaradei goes to Israel, and instead of telling them to correct their behavior they sit down and talk about Iran," he told worshippers in his sermon.

"In order to divert attention from Israel they turn to Iran, which has been merely working on its (peaceful nuclear) technology." And in a message to the "enemies of Iran," he pledged that the "people of Iran will not give up their tiniest rights in scientific issues, nuclear or non-nuclear - and will not allow you to attack the country or its interests." He also stated that the "West's claims to liberalism and democracy are all lies", and that the "Zionists and the White House have disturbed all values" - drawing the habitual chants of "Death to America, Down with Israel."

Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said he could discuss ridding the Middle East of nuclear arms but only as part of a broader peace process in the future, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog said on Thursday. ElBaradei quoted Sharon as saying discussions could be part of the "road map" for regional peace - a plan that has been stalled for months by Israeli-Palestinian violence. The Jewish state, presumed to be the region's only nuclear power, has long said it is committed to a nuclear weapons-free Middle East, but that peace must be achieved first. It was not clear if Sharon's comments marked a change of policy, but ElBaradei said Sharon had taken "a good first step" towards disarmament as the IAEA chief ended a three-day visit."

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