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Khatami: Iran's diplomacy based on detente, confidence building |
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Tehran, May 5, IRNA -- President Mohammad Khatami said here on Sunday that Iran expands ties with all countries based on its policies of detente and confidence building. Khatami said in a meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi that Tehran has removed certain misunderstanding and concerns in its relations with other countries based on the principle of mutual respect. He said that Iran does not follow a policy of hostility in its relations with the countries that are hostile to it. "We will never bow to insult and intimidation and at the same time do not welcome tension and conflict either," said President Khatami. The president accused US statesmen of pursuing an unsound foreign policy which will lead to their disappointment worldwide, adding that such a diplomacy is against the American nation's interests and would only escalate enmities and jeopardize world peace. Elsewhere in his remarks, President Khatami said Iran is keen on all-out expansion of ties with Japan. He expressed hope that bright horizons would open to Tehran-Tokyo relations if existing capacities are used and accords already reached between the two countries are fully implemented. He thanked Japan for its role in the Afghanistan issue and stressed the need for speedy reconstruction of that country. He also termed Iran's stands towards Afghanistan as the ones favouring peace and reconstruction in that country and welcoming the interim government of Afghanistan. Khatami said the Iranian government and nation are determined to achieve political, economic and social development and progress. He said, "We will overcome internal and external obstacles facing the nation by relying on our religious and historical identity and growing awareness." According to the Information and Press Department of the Presidential Office, Yoriko Kawaguchi said for her part that Tokyo would have extensive cooperation with Iran in the reconstruction of Afghanistan. Kawaguchi hailed Iran's role in the establishment of peace and stability in Afghanistan, in the Bonn and Tokyo conferences and in hosting millions of Afghan refugees over the past decade. She called as "valuable" the idea of dialogue among civilizations and called for exchange of views in this respect at international level. Kawaguchi called Iran's internal and external policies as "positive". |
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