INDONESIA: Iran offers support for Indonesia's nuclear energy plans

Iran's parliamentary speaker has offered reciprocal support for Indonesia's own nuclear energy plans during a tour of Jakarta. Iran says it is pursuing a peaceful nuclear energy programme. Iranian parliamentary speaker Gholam Ali Haddad Adel reciprocated Indonesia's support on Friday (February 16) during a meeting with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on a brief visit to the Indonesian capital Jakarta. The Iranian parliamentary delegation visit is also to reciprocate a similar visit by Indonesian parliamentarians to Iran's nuclear facilities last year. Indonesia had first offered support to Iran's nuclear energy project when Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visited Jakarta in May 2006. "Iran will support the Indonesian government in the peaceful use of nuclear power just as Indonesia supports the peaceful use of nuclear energy in Iran and other countries," Gholam told a news conference after the bilateral meeting in Jakarta. Both Iran and Indonesia are among the select few Muslim nations including Pakistan with nuclear energy programmes. Indonesia, the world most populous Muslim nation, is looking at nuclear energy to diversify its energy sources. "The Iranian government will help and support all countries including Indonesia in applying IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) laws for using nuclear energy," Gholam said, alluding to Western concerns that such nuclear energy projects could be turned into weapons programmes. The United States is leading a campaign against Iran if the country does not suspend uranium enrichment, a process that can produce fuel for nuclear reactors to generate electricity or material for nuclear warheads. Iran has refused, saying its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful.

ITN Source | February 16, 2007

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