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Chinhoyi Bureau
Tehran will continue developing and using nuclear technologies for its people’s benefit regardless of the West’s attempts to demonise the programme, Member of the Council of the Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Moallemi, has said.
Ayatollah Moallemi was speaking after handing over textbooks and the Koran to Avicenna Library in Chinhoyi on Monday. Iran, through Graem Shahr Province, built the library as part of a twinning arrangement with Chinhoyi.
The nuclear programme, Ayatollah Moallemi said, was for peaceful, national development contrary to Western assertions that Iran wanted to manufacture nuclear arms.
“Iran’s nuclear programme has always been for peaceful ends, which will benefit the people of Iran, and the West is trying to find a smokescreen to demonise the programme.”
He said the West was against developing world countries benefiting from nuclear technologies.
Ayatollah Moallemi said Zimbabwe could tap into some of Iran’s experiences as they face similar hostility and share congruent stances against Western hegemony and imperialism.
“We have experienced advancement in technology and education since the Islamic Revolution.
“There are advances in nanotechnology and satellite technology, which Zimbabwe can benefit from,” he said.
He donated US$1 000 for expansion of the library and said there was room for improved co-operation in agriculture and industry. The Iranian delegation toured the Islamic Church in Cold Stream, Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital, Chinhoyi University of Technology and the Chinhoyi Caves.
Mashonaland West Governor and Resident Minister Faber Chidarikire hailed Iran’s assistance, a position reiterated  by Chinhoyi town clerk Mr Ezekiel Muringani.
CUT Vice Chancellor Professor David Simbi said the two countries should come up with student exchange programmes.