PAVEH, Iran, Dec. 19 Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad lashed out at countries opposed to Iran's nuclear program Tuesday, saying access to nuclear energy is a country's right.Speaking to a large gathering in the western city of Paveh, Ahmadinejad said despite a threat of U.N. sanctions, Iran's nuclear program would continue, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.The enemies threaten to impose sanctions against our nation for not giving up its nuclear right, the president said. However, they should know that we are not afraid of their sanctions and that Iranian youth will build up the country.Iran refused to meet a U.N. Aug. 31 deadline to stop enriching uranium, which it claims is solely for electricity production, but which the United States and several allies suspect is for building nuclear weapons. The Security Council voted to impose sanctions, but permanent council members have not yet come to agreement on what they should be.Russia, which is helping Iran build a new nuclear plant in Bushehr, has balked at some of the elements of sanctions proposed by the United States, Britain, France and Germany.Copyright 2006 by UPI
