Rowhani: Iran is concerned about US unilateral approach

  
 

 

  
 

 
     
          Tehran, July 21, IRNA -- Secretary of Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Hassan Rowhani said on Sunday that Iran is concerned about the US unilateral approach to international issues.
        In a meeting with Russian first Deputy Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Trubnikov, Rowhani said that the presence of the US forces in the region, though under the slogan of campaign against terrorism, has caused instability in the region.
        He voiced Iran's objection to any US military action against Iraq and said that the situation in Iraq is different from that in Afghanistan. It will be a mistake if the United States decides to take similar action in Iraq.
        On Palestine, Rowhani said that a human tragedy is taking place in Palestine adding that US-backed Sharon has embarked on war crimes in Palestine while the United States has interfered in leadership structure of Palestine national authority.
        "Iran believes that the international community be more responsive to the plight of the Palestinians and Russia is expected to fulfill its duty on ensuring peace and stability in Palestine," Rowhani pointed out.
        On Iran-Russia relations, Rowhani pointed out that Iran and Russia are the two important states in the Caspian Sea region adding that the Islamic Republic attaches great importance to its relations with Russia.
        He said that the Bushehr power plant project is a symbol of Tehran-Moscow cooperation adding that a third country should not interfere in the construction of the plant which is being built in accordance with international criteria and the principles of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
        Rowhani said that Bushehr power plant aims at civilian application of nuclear energy.
        He said that Iran and Russia have a good record of cooperation on regional developments and helping restore peace in Afghanistan and Tajikistan and hoped for continued cooperation for international peace and reconstruction of Afghanistan and the fight against drug trafficking.
        Rowhani said that prolonged presence of foreign troops in Afghanistan has caused concern among regional states adding that it may jeopardize security of the region.
        He said that security of the Caucasus is inter-related to Iran's security adding that Iran-Russia cooperation would speed up restoration of peace and security in the Caucasus.
        The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that any change in the territorial status in the Caucasus will bring problems and instability to the region, Rowhani pointed out.
        On the Caspian Sea, Rowhani said that the Caspian Sea should be an area of friendship, peace and cooperation adding that all the littoral states should oppose the presence of outside forces in the Caspian Sea.
        He said that the Caspian Sea legal regime should guarantee the interests of all five Caspian States adding that Iran and Russia shoulder historical responsibility in this respect. As long as a new legal regime has not been approved for the Caspian Sea, the landmark treaties signed by Iran and Russia in 1921 and 1940 would be helpful in drawing up a legal regime for the Caspian Sea.
        Trubnikov said that Iran and Russia have cooperated effectively in establishing peace in Afghanistan adding that Russia's assessment of Afghan situation is similar to Iran's views about the war-ravaged country.
        He called for Tehran-Moscow cooperation in the campaign against drug trafficking and in the reconstruction of Afghanistan.
        The Russian first deputy foreign minister hailed Iran's peace efforts in helping resolve regional conflicts.
He said that Russia believes in Iran's vital interests in the Caspian Sea and called for consultations between Iran and Russia on the issue.
        He said that Russia, as one of the co-chairmen of Minsk group gives assurance that it will not accept any geopolitical and border change in Karabakh peace process.
        He said that presence of multi-national troops, in the region should be transparent and in conformity with international conventions.
        On Iraq-US relations, Trubnikov said that Moscow is working to persuade Iraq to allow UN weapons inspection team to return to Iraq, on one hand, and is consulting with the United States to persuade  Washington not to take military action on Iraq, on the other.
        Russia believes that the US unilateral action against Iraq will undermine the international campaign against terrorism, he said adding that downfall of Saddam is not a solution to Iraq. Military action on Iraq will destroy national unity in that country, Trubnikov said.
        He voiced Moscow's resolve to cooperate with Iran in transfer of technology in line with international conventions and help Iran to utilize nuclear energy for civilian application.		  
 

    
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