Khatami: Dialogue needed to find logical solution to Iraq crisis

  
 

 

  
 

 
     
         Tehran, Oct 10, IRNA -- President Seyed Mohammad Khatami received British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw at his presidential palace on Wednesday night and told him that dialogue, aimed at finding the most logical solution to current Iraq crisis is needed before taking any other action.
       The president said "that is Iran's stand, although we Iranians have suffered great losses from the side of the Iraqis," adding, "today there is talk on the interference of foreign forces' invasion against Iraq on pretext of the need for launching a campaign against dictatorship, and demolishing the weapons of mass destruction, but is the Baghdad government the only tyrant regime, and is there a real threat that from Iraq's making use of chemical weapons or the weapons of mass destruction?"
       He further asked, "Why then was Iraq supported the day when it invaded our country and occupied Khorramshahr?; which powers equipped it with chemical weapons that were used against us and even its own people?"
       President Khatami added that Iran is opposed to the launching of a military attack against Iraq, and particularly condemning any unilateral measures adopted at international scenes.
       Justifying and elaborating the reasons behind Iran's strong opposition to the move, the president reiterated: "Firstly, the Iraqi nation has endured lots of hardships during the years of the past decades, and should not be exposed to more difficulties.
       "Secondly, a most dangerous phenomenon for the world nations is the interference of foreign powers, threatening the national sovereignty of countries, while any development should take shape relying on the nations' own will and power. 
       "And thirdly, any kind of military operations will not only affect Iraq's, but the whole region's security and stability." 
       President Khatami meanwhile agreed that Iraq must be obliged to abide by the resolutions of the international community.
       He said he was quite sure the Iraqi nation, too, "cannot" yield to any imposed solutions by foreigners.
President Khatami then turned to elaborate on the reason why the Iranians cannot trust the Americans, arguing, "Iran's detente policy in foreign relations is inclusive of all countries, but meanwhile any threats against Iran strengthens solidarity inside the country and our people, and government, will have no doubts in defense of Iran's national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security for Iran and the Iranians."
       The president said that the American politicians' behavior take root form arrogance and haste, and such political conduct can only result in the strengthening of extremist movements' activities inside the Islamic world, as well as weakening of the rationalist, democratic trends.
       He expressed hope that the world should be saved form horror and hatred thanks to the efforts on the part of all caring authorities.
       President Khatami also said that in order to achieve a lasting peace in the Middle East, the rights of all Palestinians, including those who live in Palestine, and the refugees, must be observed thoroughly, and Iran, without slightest interfering in other nations' affairs, favors the prevalence of a just peace in the region.
       The president added, "the world public opinion, the United Nations, and the Organization of Islamic Conference, have all voted for the establishment of a Palestinian independent country whose capital should be Beit-ul-Muqaddas, and the US president's move in recognition of that city as the capital of Israel has resulted in inciting and hurting the feelings of Islamic world, creating an obstacle in the way of achieving peace in the Middle East." 
       Khatami also expressed hope that the Tehran-London ties would be boosted with the beginning of the new British ambassador's work in Iran, who was also present during the meeting, based on mutual respect, particularly in economic fields.
       The Iranian leader finally referred to the efforts aimed at replacing poppy plantation in Afghanistan and joint cultural activities n these sensitive times, as fields of common interest between the two countries, adding, "all human beings, particularly the Muslims and the westerners can live desirable lives alongside each  other, relying on dialogue and exchanging viewpoints."
       During the meeting in the presence of Iran's minister of foreign affairs, Straw said that London wishes for deeper, stronger relations with Tehran and that he is glad over the expansion of ties, and the recent developments in the fields of making investments, economic, and cultural activities.
       He referred to his country's strong support for the idea of Dialogue Among Civilizations, adding that an American priest's recent insult against Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is insult against the Christians and Muslims alike. 
       Straw said that efforts should be made on the part of the eastern and western politicians aimed at restricting the activities of the extremists in political and other fields.
       He also briefed President Khatami on London's programs for holding dialogue among followers of different monotheist religions. 
       The British prime minister turning to Iraq issue and England's stand toward Iraq crisis said that his country does not favor the outbreak of a war in the region, hoping that the ongoing crisis would be settled in a peaceful manner.
       He said that efforts aimed at disarming Iraq form weapons of mass destruction are launched based on the framework of U.N. General Assembly's will.
       Straw also referred to the discussions among the Security Council members, emphasizing that extreme care must be taken to avoid getting killed of innocent human beings.
       Straw assured President Khatami that in case a war would break out in the region, naturally constant dialogue would be held with Iran and viewpoints would constantly be exchanged on the future of Iraq.
       Referring to his talks with Iran's minster of foreign affairs, Straw said he was aware of the Islamic world's concern regarding being overshadowed of the Palestinian developments, due to the Iraq crisis, assuring that London emphatically favors the implementation of all U.N. resolutions without discrimination.
       Referring to the stands adopted by the West during the Iraqi-imposed War against Iran, he said that the West should take lessons from its past own mistakes, and not to make them again.
       Straw arrived here Wednesday on the last leg of a lightning tour to the region on the backdrop of a possible US-led attack on Iraq. 
       He has earlier visited Egypt, Jordan and Kuwait, where he received cold shoulder, and is expected to meet with President Mohammad Khatami.
       This follows Straw's failure to win support from his French counterpart, Dominique de Villepin, in Paris for a tougher UN resolution at the start of his first series of visits to gain backing for a coalition.
       The British government, which faces strong opposition at home to a military action, has an even a harder job of convincing Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait and Iran on the need for a war during his four-day mission this week.
       An opinion poll in the Guardian newspaper Tuesday found that Blair was failing to win over support for a military solution to the Iraqi issue from the British public despite making an appeal as a key part of his speech at last week's Labour Party conference.
       Straw's trip is his third to Iran in the past 13 months. His visit in September last year, which just preceded the war in Afghanistan, was the first to be made by a British foreign secretary since the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979. 
       The UK government paved the way for the latest visit by appointing Richard Dalton as the new British Ambassador to Tehran, ending a ten-month dispute.
       The British Foreign Office previously insisted that the vacant post could only be filled by David Reddaway, who had already served three times at the UK Embassy in Tehran.

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