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Tehran, Oct 9, IRNA -- British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said here on Wednesday that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is yet to avail a peaceful choice to destroy weapons of mass destruction.
"We cannot underscore Saddam Hussein's danger; the danger did threaten Iran and Kuwait in the past and today is jeopardizing security in the region and the world," said Straw in a press conference after the first round of talks with his Iranian counterpart Kamal Kharrazi.
Straw reiterated Saddam should discard mass destruction weapons. "We want him to put aside mass destruction weapons peacefully; We know that the disarmament should be fulfilled through will of the international community; of course there is a peaceful solution for Saddam Hussein of Iraq," said Straw.
He said, "We behave according to international regulations and to this end, we are holding talks and share similar stance with five permanent and 10 non-permanent members of the UN Security Council."
He added that he had come from a country which is full of experiences about Saddam Hussein's Iraq and did know that Iran is also willing to have peaceful co-existence with its neighbors.
Asked repeatedly whether he had any message from the US for Iranians, Straw said he represented the United Kingdom.
He said that he and Kharrazi shared the view that the UN Security Council resolutions should be implemented.
He added that as for Israel and Palestine as well as the Arab world, Iran and the UK favor a solution for the ongoing disputes.
Straw said that the situation in Iraq has been given a priority in the Arab and Muslim world and the subject might reduce the importance of prioritizing Palestine.
He added, "We should guarantee a peaceful future for the Israelis, while establishing an separate and independent Palestinian state on the basis of the UN resolutions 204 and 338."
He said his government would do its utmost to start necessary dialogues on the basis of the resolutions by end of the year.
Turning to an American pastor's insult to holy Prophet of Islam Hazrat Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him), Straw said the pastor is a famous man but not an important person.
He said that if the views of the pastor have been reported correctly, they are an insult to the Prophet of Islam. He added that he thought the views of the pastor are an insult to Islam.
The British official said a large Muslim community exist in the UK and there are extensive efforts to strengthen relations among religions.
Commenting on dubious approaches of Britain and its supporters on weapons of mass destruction, Straw said he did not agree that double-standards existed in that connection.
Many countries refused to sign treaties on non-proliferation of unconventional weapons, said Straw, adding, "But our policy is similar and want all countries to joint the conventions."
He went on to say that his country had on the same basis agreed to the inspection of its centers for production of unconventional weapons by international organizations.
As long as Iraq is concerned, the danger Iraq has posed is unique, he added.
"We know which type of biological and nuclear weapons Iraq produces and we are informed of its intention," he added.
He acknowledged that the western countries provided some of Iraqi arms. "That's true; of course mistakes occurred in the past but there is no reason for continuation of the mistakes in future," said Straw, adding that due to the same reason, Iraq is asked to destroy its mass destruction weapons.
Asked to comment on Iran's placement with Iraq in the 'axis of evil', Straw said Iran and Iraq are two different categories and there would be efforts to strengthen relations with Tehran, by trying to leave behind problems through a diplomatic process.
He said however that London is one of the close allies of the US and has great respect for the US government and people.
Asked to comment on the US aim to dominate rich regional oil and gas resources, Straw said he did not agree to the point, believing that the US' objective is not oil, rather, the threat to regional security.
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