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Tehran, August 7, IRNA -- Government spokesman Abdollah Ramezanzadeh, in his weekly press conference, here Wednesday stressed on the official need to portray the system in a better light.
Given the foreign threats to the nation, officials and administrators need to show a greater national concord and consensus, he said.
"There should be freedom of speech in the society, notably for the opponents," he said.
On the next week meeting of Iraqi opposition groups in Washington he added that many of the opponents of the Iraqi regime live as guests in Iran and 'their political dealings are not interfered with'.
Ramezanzadeh further said Iran does not deem the upcoming military maneuvers in the Caspian Sea as being against Iranian interest.
The government spokesman stated that the visit by an official of the Atomic Energy Commission to Bushehr nuclear plant will take place as usual, adding, "As Iran has repeatedly said, the agency could monitor Iran's peaceful use of nuclear energy."
He also rejected that there are any al-Qaedeh members in Iran, saying, "The individual who has raised this issue wants to whitewash his past support for the Taliban regime."
All nations know that all non-Afghan nationals who have tried to enter Iran illegally have been detained and repatriated to their country of origin through their respective embassies, the government spokesman underlined.
He said in case of US attack on Iraq, Iran will prevent all the would-be refugees from coming into the country and 'if need arises, we will set-up camps inside Iraqi territory to shelter the refugees'.
He also said that Iran will not cooperate in waging of war including the possible US attack on Iraq, adding that it is for the Iraqi people's to decide their future.
"Iran does not have any ambition on any part of Iraqi territory," Ramezanzadeh declared.
He said the Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Fasial, who visited Tehran recently did not have any message from a third party adding the bilateral discussions revolved around issues of mutual interests.
He said that President Khatami will travel to Afghanistan early next week and he will discuss, among other issues, the case of the martyred Iranian diplomats and IRNA reporter.
The government aims to either dissolve these companies or bring them under legal scrutiny, he added.
On Iranian delegation trips to Baghdad and its possible negative publicity, Ramezanzadeh said Iran will not alter its foreign policy in the face of rumors of US attacks on Iraq.
He also deferred answers to questions on issues discussed between Spokeswomen for the 'Human rights Watch' Elaheh Hicks and Iranian officials in Tehran to after the discussions are over.
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