Assad

Assad: Iran has right to peaceful N-technology
 

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in an interview with the Japanese daily Asahi Shimbun has defended Iran's right to nuclear technology

As a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, (Iran) has the right to have peaceful reactors," Assad said.

When asked whether Syria might serve as a go-between for the United States and Iran, Assad said, "We won't say no, provided that we have a clear framework and realistic objectives to work through in order to succeed."

Assad criticized as a 'ploy' the US accusation that a facility in eastern Syria was a nuclear plant developed with the support of North Korea. The accusation was made after Israel bombed the facility in September 2007.

"Why did the US say they have evidence eight months after the date of the bombing?" Assad asked. He added that if the site had been a nuclear reactor, there would have been 'radiation and casualties. We didn't have that.'

Assad assumed the Syrian presidency in 2000 following the death of his father, Hafez Assad.

HSH/SME/MMA