Publish Date: 17 May 2006 - 20:06

TEHRAN, May 17 (MNA) -- Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad and Cuban President Fidel Castro discussed regional and international issues during a telephone conversation on Tuesday night.

Ahmadinejad expressed gratitude for Cuba’s stance against global imperialism and its defense of Iranians’ legal right to access the complete nuclear fuel cycle for the peaceful production of energy, adding that this indicates that Castro is an honest revolutionary leader.

 

Although some great powers are trying to deprive the Iranian nation of their inalienable right to access nuclear technology, they have been defeated by the Iranian nation both logically and legally, the Iranian president observed.

 

He also expressed hope that great steps would be taken to realize NAM objectives at the next Non-Aligned Movement summit, which is scheduled to be held in Cuba.

 

Ahmadinejad mentioned the Islamic Republic’s great potential and said that Iran is interested in boosting bilateral relations with Cuba, Venezuela, and Bolivia.

 

For his part, the Cuban leader underlined the fact that Cuba is prepared to back the Iranian people in their efforts to attain their inalienable nuclear rights and said that the Cuban government regards defending the legal rights of Iran in the international arena as a duty, adding that world public opinion is beginning to shift in favor of Iran.

 

He pointed out that the United States is not very moral, despite the fact it possesses technological, military, and economic power.

 

The U.S. tries to pressure its opponents by making false accusations against them, but the real terrorist in the modern world is the United States, Castro asserted.

 

In conclusion, Castro expressed gratitude for Iran’s efforts to activate the Iran–Cuba Joint Commission and expressed hope that Tehran–Havana bilateral relations would improve in the near future.

 

SA/HG

End

 

MNA