Cooperation with Cuba is humanitarian and scientific

                   BY ANNE-MARIE GARCIA (Special for Granma International)

                   SEYED D. Salehi, the ambassador to Cuba from the Islamic Republic
                   of Iran, denied U.S. government accusations that Cuba has research
                   programs aimed at producing biological weapons.

                   At a press conference in the Iranian embassy in Havana, the
                   ambassador explained that "cooperation between Iran and Cuba is
                   humanitarian and scientific," adding, "It is only used for producing
                   vaccines and medications for the Iranian people, and the children in
                   particular."

                   He recalled that Iran and Cuba are both members of the United
                   Nations and respect that organization’s Charter. In this regard, he
                   cited the Charter’s introduction that urges states "to unite our
                   strength to maintain international peace and security."

                   Salehi highlighted that the accusations made by Under Secretary of
                   State for Arms Control and International Security John Bolton
                   contradict Chapter 1, Article 2, Number 4 of the Charter: "All
                   members should refrain in their international relations from the threat
                   or use of force against the territorial integrity or political
                   independence of any state, or in any manner inconsistent with the
                   Purposes of the United Nations."

                   The Iranian diplomat clarified that as far as weapons were concerned,
                   "Iran respects all the international conventions and is a member of
                   the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

                   He added that in 1998, OPCW inspectors inspected and checked
                   chemical installations in his country.

                   Ambassador Salehi stated that Iran has some 65 million inhabitants
                   and an extensive frontier with Afghanistan, from which around 2.5
                   million refuges have fled into his country, adding that some three
                   million people in Iranian territory have hepatitis A or B.

                   The hepatitis B vaccine is made in U.S. laboratories Merck Sharp
                   Dohme and SmithKline Beecham, and also by Cuban biotechnology,
                   he pointed out, pointing out that the United States maintains
                   economic sanctions against the island.

                   "In 1998, my country signed a technology transfer agreement with a
                   Cuban laboratory for producing a hepatitis B vaccine," said Salehi,
                   stressing that "Cuba is a friendly country, a Group of 77 member,
                   and we work within the framework of South-South cooperation."

                   Since the agreement was signed, Iran’s Health Ministry has "begun a
                   large-scale vaccination program. Since that date, 40 million doses of
                   the hepatitis B vaccine have been distributed throughout Iran," he
                   specified.

                   "In April 1998, Iran and Cuba signed an additional technology transfer
                   agreement for another three products: interferon, used in the
                   treatment of hepatitis B and C, AIDS and cancer; streptokinase, very
                   useful in cardiology; and the urology medication erythropoietin.

                   The Iranian ambassador likewise pointed out that his country "has
                   been a victim of terrorism. During the eight years of war, chemical
                   weapons were used against Iranian soldiers." He remarked that
                   following the September 11 attacks, his government condemned all
                   types of terrorist acts in the world, urging that an international
                   solution be found for the problem.

                   But Ambassador Salehi added, "We differentiate between terrorism
                   and patriotic struggles such as the one being waged by the
                   Palestinian people, who are fighting for their independence, freedom
                   and rights."

                   In conclusion, he affirmed, "I reject these accusations attempting to
                   link Cuba with other states such as Libya, Syria, Iraq, Iran and North
                   Korea, which the United States considers threats."