Museveni Meets Iranian Delegation in Addis Ababa

IRAN has asked Uganda to use its position as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council to lobby against the UN threats to impose sanctions on its uranium enrichment programme.

A high-level Iranian delegation led by the vice-president and head of the Atomic Energy Organisation, Ali Akbar Salehi, met President Yoweri Museveni in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he is attending the 14th African Union (AU) summit.

According to a State House statement, the Iranian delegation expressed concern over the pending sanctions, saying that they would adversely affect the economy.

In February 2003, Iran revealed its uranium enrichment programme at Natanz, which it said it was for peaceful purposes and invited the UN nuclear monitoring body, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to visit facility. The US, however, alleged the nuclear programme is part of a drive to develop nuclear weapons and referred the case to the UN Security Council.

The IAEA said it could not confirm that Iran was not pursuing undeclared nuclear activities and referred the case to the UN Security Council.

Uganda is one of the three African non-permanent members to the UN Security Council. The others are Nigeria and Gabon.

Museveni and his visitors exchanged views on the current security situation in the Great Lakes region and in the Middle East. The Iranians commended Museveni for his efforts in ensuring peace in the region.

The President and his guests also discussed issues, including business and investment opportunities.

The meeting is a follow-up on the visit Museveni made to Iran mid-last year. Museveni also invited the Iranian President, Mahmood Ahmedinejad, to visit Uganda.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, President Museveni met South African leader Jacob Zuma in Addis Ababa.

Zuma briefed Museveni about South Africa's preparations for the 2010 World Cup and the celebrations for the anniversary of the release of former President Nelson Mandela from prison on February 11. The event will coincide with the opening of the parliament of South Africa, the statement added.

Museveni invited Zuma to Uganda for the African Union summit meeting due in July, an invitation he accepted.

The AU permanent representatives committee also recommended Uganda's candidacy to host the AU summit in 2010.


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