International   

Iran warns West against using pressure tactics

Robert Tait

Ahmadinejad says Bush, Merkel would be tried as "terrorists" and "war criminals"

Teheran: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the hardline President of Iran, launched an angry tirade against the West on Saturday, accusing it of adopting a "dark ages" mentality and threatening retaliation unless it recognised his country's nuclear ambitions.

In a blistering assault, Mr. Ahmadinejad repeated the Islamist regime's position that it would press ahead with a nuclear programme despite threats by the European Union and United States to refer Iran to the U.N. Security Council, where it could face possible sanctions. Addressing a rare press conference in Teheran, he appeared to issue thinly veiled threats against Western countries, implying that they could face serious consequences unless they backed down. "You need us more than we need you. All of you today need the Iranian nation," Mr. Ahmadinejad said. "Why are you putting on airs? You don't have that might."

Mr. Ahmadinejad, an ultra-Islamist elected last June, did not elaborate on his apparent threat. The next phase of the intensifying diplomatic pressure on Iran takes place in London on Monday when officials from the E.U., U.S., Russia and China gather to discuss future strategy.

In an apparent effort to cast the nuclear issue as one that could unite all Iranians and appeal to nationalist sentiment, Mr. Ahmadinejad spoke against the backdrop of a picture of the Damavand volcano, widely seen as a patriotic, non-religious symbol. But he did not withdraw his remarks, warning that U.S. President George W. Bush and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who on Friday condemned his comments as "unacceptable", would be tried as "terrorists" and "war criminals" due to their support of Israel.

German Deputy Foreign Minister Gernot Erler on Saturday called for travel restrictions on Iran's politicians. He told German radio that economic sanctions would be "a very dangerous path" and could hurt both sides. Germany is the biggest exporter to Iran.

- Guardian Newspapers Limited 2005

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Pakistan should move towards democracy, says John Kerry
Pakistan protests U.S. missile attack
Crown Prince appointed Emir
Row over MPs' phone tapping
Russia, Ukraine in lighthouse row
Feud over King's legacy
From Baghdad to Soho
Suicide attack on Canadian convoy
Israel Cabinet nod for vote in East Jerusalem
Iran warns West against using pressure tactics

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu