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Iran ready to share nuclear technology with neighbours

Large turnout in polls a message to the West, says Tehran

TEHRAN: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Saturday that his country is ready to share its nuclear technology with neighbouring countries, according to his official website.

``The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to provide regional states with its valuable experience and achievements in the field of peaceful nuclear energy as a source of clean energy and a proper replacement for oil,'' Mr. Ahmadinejad was quoted as telling visiting Kuwaiti envoy Mohammad Dhaifullah Sharar.

Mr. Ahmadinejad welcomed a decision made by leaders at a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit held in Riyadh last weekend to establish nuclear power plants, the website said.

For his part, Mr. Sharar said enhanced exchange of views and cooperation between Kuwait and Iran would serve the interests of all regional states.

Leaders of six Gulf Arab states announced last Sunday that their countries would jointly develop peaceful nuclear technology and draw up a plan for the purpose.

Meanwhile, Tehran hailed the large turnout in the elections for municipal councils and a powerful clerical body as a ``message'' to the West that Iranians support their state institutions.

Friday's vote is widely considered the first test of Iranians' approval of Mr. Ahmadinejad, whose anti-Israel rhetoric and hardline on the nuclear programme is believed to have divided the conservatives who voted him to power. ``Through their impressive turnout under the current sensitive circumstances, the Iranian people sent a clear message to enemies of Iran's development,'' the official Islamic Republic News Agency quoted Interior Minister Mostafa Pourmohammadi as saying. — Xinhua, AP

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