Ahmadinejad inaugurates nuclear facility

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad insisted on Saturday that Iran "is no threat to Israel", as he inaugurated a heavy water production plant just five days before UN Security Council deadline to suspend sensitive nuclear fuel cycle work.
Israel reacted bluntly, saying that it was "not fooled" by Ahmadinejad's assurances, and recalling how the Iran leader had called for its destruction.
Opening the controversial facility, which the West believes may be used to acquire an atomic weapon, Ahmadinejad repeated Iran's desire for peaceful nuclear energy, saying that his country posed no threat to Israel.
"The message of the Iranian nation is peace, calm and co-habitation with all nations, based on justice. We are no threat to any nation, even the Zionist regime," he said.
"They must accept the reality of a strong Iran, developed and a supporter of peace," he said as he opened the Arak plant, which will supply heavy water to be used as coolant for a 40 MW research reactor due for completion by 2009.
In Jerusalem, Israel spokesman Avi Pazner said: "Israel is not fooled by such declarations, the sole aims of which are to avoid sanctions being imposed on Iran."
He said that Ahmadinejad "has often stated his true intentions concerning Israel." The International Atomic Energy Agency has voiced concern over the risk of diversion of nuclear materials, as the research reactor could produce 8 to 10 kg (about 20 pounds) of plutonium a year, enough to make at least two nuclear bombs.
The high-security complex and its approach road are protected by dozens of anti-aircraft gun positions in preparation for a possible Israeli or US air strike against Iran's controversial nuclear facilities. And the Iranian leader said that it would defend its right to nuclear technology "with force".
"One cannot deprive any nation offsets rights. The Iranian nation will defend its rights to nuclear technology with force," Ahmadinejad said. "The Iranian nation is seeking nuclear energy, and I am in charge of pursuing the nation's demand."
"The Islamic republic considers inauguration of this complex within the framework of its legal and international rights," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi was quoted as saying.
"This is another big step for the Islamic republic to use its undeniable right, namely achievement of peaceful nuclear technology," Asefi said. A young engineer, who gave his name as Khazai, said: "We have done all the project, from the beginning to the end, all by ourselves, without assistance of anybody. That is why we are so proud." According to the facility director, Manouchehr Aghazadeh, it will produce 80 tons heavy water a year.