President Khatami's speech at the
United Nations General Assembly
September 21, 1998
Full text
In the Name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful
The light of human existence has been kindled with man's longing for salvation. The
essence of the message of Divine Prophets and the content of the teachings of prominent
sages have been primarily aimed at human salvation. Painful in the observable arena of
human history is the deprivation and abject misery of human beings; the deprivation of
women, men and children enslaved by the whims of the ruling powers; and ill-fate rulers
themselves deprived of compassion and sympathy with their own nations Hence, virtuous rule
and good governance has but been evanescent in human history.
Ironically, much too often free will and freedom of thought have been frustrated and
liberty suffocated in the name of salvation, and much too often salvation has been
portrayed as disposing of any and all restraints on the insatiable human desires. Reason
and love have thus been sacrificed at the altar of the whim. At times, liberty has been
trampled upon in the name of justice, and yet at other times justice has been obliterated
in the name of freedom. The result has been the age old deprivation of humanity of both
justice in liberty and liberty in justice.
It is only a few centuries since genuine knowledge was construed as the source of power,
rather than an agent of its control. Ever since, knowledge has, instead of serving human
salvation and instead of exalting human character, been used as an instrument in the hands
of those whose only object was to advance their narrow utilitarian self-interest. Despite
its magnificent progress, humanity has suffered massively over these centuries form
discrimination and anguish. Survivors are still among us who testify to the incalculable
destruction caused by the two World Wars ... and despite the birth of the United Nations -
a positive achievement for mankind true peace based of justice remains elusive.
Particularly desperate is the situation of the countries in the underdeveloped world,
where so many still suffer form famine, illiteracy and disease and some remain at the
mercy of rulers who do not even take the trouble of pretending respect for democratic
standards or enjoying popular support. So often do they attempt to fill the absence of
popular support by dependence on powers, whose sole purpose is the pursuit of domination
and self interest. Oppressive and dependent governments deny their people the opportunity
to experience democracy. By perpetuation of intimidation and terror in society, they
promote a culture of violence which inadvertently leads their opponents to resort to the
same. Powers that breed and nurture such regimes could therefore not escape blame.
Primarily responsible here, are those powers whose intelligence services take pride in
their dark record of overthrowing popular governments and supporting unpopular ones. This
image of our world is indeed grim and repulsive. Until the day that the wise and the
learned wrest the reins of power for the unwise and the capricious, this image can not,
all at once, be transformed.
Nonetheless, in my opinion, beyond the darkness and gloom, genuine beauty can still be
discerned in the deeper layers of history. And, I can assert with certitude that, on the
whole, human life has blossomed spiritually and materially. Anti-colonial struggles and
independence movements of many nations in this century exemplify this blossoming and
progress. The collapse of the bipolar world order in the final decade of this century, and
the swift march of the world towards diversity coupled with renewed assertion of identity
in the international arena by nations demanding equality are other significant
achievements in this direction. The fantasy of a unipolar world ruled by a single
super-power is but an illusion, indicating the failure of its holders to keep pace wit
history. And, I am confident, that powerful nations such as the American people, will not
accept that their good name, potentials and national prestige be exploited for the
advancement of the dream of a unipolar world by the politicians, motivated by the
short-sighted material and factional interests of a few. The evolution of public opinion
in the West in the direction of support of peaceful relations on the basis of mutual
respect testifies to this assertion.
And now, Mr. President and distinguished participants,
Allow me to speak here as a man form the East, the origin of brilliant civilizations and
the birth place of Divine Prophets... Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Mohammad (peace be upon
them all). I come from the noble land of Iran, representing a great and renowned nation,
famous for its age old civilization as well as its distinguished contribution to the
founding and expansion of the Islamic civilization; a nation that has survived the strong
winds of despotism, reactionism and submission, relying on its cultural and human wealth;
a nation which pioneered in the East the establishment of civil society and constitutional
governments in the course of its contemporary history, even though as a result of foreign
interference and its own deficiencies, at times it may have faltered in its course; a
nation which has been at the forefront of the struggle for independence and against
colonialism, though its national movement was subverted by a foreign orchestrated coup.
And a nation which carries the torch of its popular revolution, not won by force of arms
or a coup, but by dethroning of the regime of coup d'etat through the power of the
"word" and "enlightenment". In the course of its new experience, our
nation has endured eight years of an imposed war, pressure, sanctions and various
allegations. It has also fallen victim to terrorism, this ominous and sinister phenomenon
of the twentieth century.
And today, the Iranian nation draws on its past to contemplate a better tomorrow while
defying reactionary tendencies and, backed by principles and ideals rooted in its
religious, national, historical and revolutionary heritage, and benefiting from positive
achievements of contemporary civilization, marches, through trial and error, towards
promising future. The Islamic Revolution of the Iranian people was a revolt of reason
against coercion and suppression. Certainly, a revolution which resorted to logic in the
phase of destruction is much better disposed to resort to dialogue and reason in the phase
of construction. Hence, it calls for a dialogue among civilizations and cultures instead
of a clash between them. From this rostrum and the pulpit of the United Nations, I
announce that humanity, despite all calamities and hardships, is heading towards
emancipation and liberty. This is the unalterable Divine providence and the course of
history.
Mr. President,
The word "history" predates "philosophy" and man is the pillar of
history. History itself is the reflection of the light of Being upon various facets and
dimensions of human existence. Thus, it is a unique and universal entity, albeit diverse
in nature. Whenever this unique entity takes on a new guise, a new era is ushered in. Our
assessment of history indeed emanates from our perception of humanity-its pivot and
pillar. Human beings, who in Saadi's eloquent description borrowed form a saying of the
holy Prophet of Islam, are various organs of the same body, are outside the reach of
biology or psychology. Understanding human beings requires a philosophical and reflective
view of man and its history. Since "God created man with His own hand," and in
"His own image," and since He breathed into him of "His own spirit,"
humanity is but a single entity, and so is human history. The "Hand of God"
granted humankind history, will and freedom of choice; the "image of God"
provided him with culture, spirituality and liberty; and the spirit of God bestowed upon
him life and vitality. And, thus, humans beings have come to posses history, culture and
liberty.
Not only do all human beings originate from the one and the same origin and share a
continuous and integrated history, but also one may further postulate a single end or
telos: the telos of history is none other than a spiritual culture and its requisite of
genuine human liberty. Whether or not one subscribes to the view that man is doomed to
whirl in iterative historical cycles, or to grapple with historical moments or epochs, and
whether or not one holds history to be self-driven, or driven by human urges, or by modes
of production, or by superhuman heroes, all can agree that it is only the ever-inspiring
foundation of faith that breaks every old and new shackle from humanity and arrests the
iterative eternal cycle, and eventually emancipates humankind from the bounds of
historical determination; just as it is only the vivifying breeze of liberty that can
offer faith and spirituality to humanity. It is thus that he can serenade that "the
universe I shall not abide if not abiding me." or that "...whosoever shall say
unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in
his heart, but shall believe those things which he says shall come to pass." Through
such an understanding of freedom, the tenets of human dignity can be upheld in the face of
political domination and virtue and hope against baneful blasts of despair and nihilism
Here, one can discern the trajectory of history towards liberty.
The history of humankind is the history of liberty. Only that interpretation which
describes history as the arena for manifestation of liberty can provide an opening of the
past for the benefit of mankind. Regardless of all philosophical systems that have
attempted to attribute meanings, directions and laws of evolution to history, we can
realize that because human history is intertwined with the history of liberty, when human
beings are liberated from imposed constraints of exploitation and social enslavement as
well as from unrefined animal instincts such as violence and savagery, they will then side
with truth and justice in line with their human nature. Thence, human history shall become
the glorious history of Truth and realization of justice. And this could be another
expression of the famous religious doctrine of Messianism. Whether we embark on an
empirical and inductive study of history or an intuitive one, most thinkers would agree
that the essence of humanity has flourished and that more veils of ignorance have been
removed from the minds of human beings. I have deliberately used the word
"flourish" instead of the more common terms, such as "historical
progress", in order to emphasize that regardless of the school of philosophy of
history we may follow, we can still share an understanding of this general and universal
conception of history.
The establishment and continued functioning of the United Nations is a testimony to the
progressive path of the world and of human society. The fact that today it does not
require much argument to establish that instead of war and bloodshed, one could, and
indeed ought to, resort to discourse and dialogue, has not been achieved easily. As if the
blood-stained history of humanity forms an antecedent to this seemingly simple
proposition. Yet, so long as imprudent potentates can obliterate flowers and trees,
laughter and hope from the face of the earth with a quick stroke of their folly and
cruelty, it is premature to celebrate the ultimate triumph of the Logos over the sword The
twentieth century did not only witness the manifestation of violence and human sufferings
at the hands of old colonialists and the unprecedented injustice of their modern
inheritors, but it was also the century of the rise and fall of totalitarian regimes. Let
us hope that in the coming century resort to force and violence shall not be glorified,
and the essence of political power be compassion and justice, externally manifested in
dialogue between civilizations.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen,
The question is how the United Nations may undertake the necessary measures to respond to
this evolving global climate, and what impact it will have on the changing course of the
life of mankind longing for salvation. I would like to propose, in the name of the Islamic
Republic of Iran, that the United Nations, as a first step, designate the year 2001 as the
"Year of Dialogue Among Civilizations," with the earnest hope that through such
a dialogue, the realization of universal justice and liberty be initiated Among the
worthiest achievements of this century is the acceptance of the necessity and significance
of dialogue and rejection of force, promotion of understanding in cultural, economic and
political fields, and strengthening of the foundations of liberty, justice and human
rights. Establishment and enhancement of civility, whether at national or international
level, is contingent upon dialogue among societies and civilizations representing various
views, inclinations and approaches. If humanity, at the threshold of the new century and
millennium, devotes all efforts to institutionalize dialogue, replacing hostility and
confrontation with discourse and understanding, it would leave an invaluable legacy for
the benefit of the future generations.
Similarly, it is necessary that, as members of the United Nations, we revisit the history
of the formation of this Organization with a vie to reforming and improving the
institution through a rational exchange of views. The United Nations took shape in a dark
era of human history, when many of its current members were still experiencing the bitter
and abominable conditions of colonial rule. As a result, the new Organization reflected
the domination of the powerful few. Things have changed now, and the opportunity has
presented itself to restructure this Organization, particularly its Security Council.
Here, I would like to refer to the wise words of the Leader of the Islamic Republic of
Iran in his inaugural address to the Eight Session of the Islamic Summit Conference in
Tehran that the Islamic countries, representing one billion and several hundred million
people, should acquire a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council with the
same privileges that are enjoyed by current Permanent Members. The time has come to
reject, through understanding, the discriminatory veto privilege, and in so doing take
another step towards the recognition of fair and equal rights of all member states.
Mr. President, Distinguished Delegates,
Let all of us join hands in solidarity against genocide, aggression and the humiliation of
mankind in various corners of the world. Let us prevent the continuation of shameful
tragedies which have tarnished the face of this century in Palestine, Afghanistan, Kosovo
and in many other parts of Africa, Asia and Latin America. Peace and security in the
Middle East, imperative as they are, will be established only though the recognition of
the right of all Palestinians to exercise sovereignty over their ancestral homeland. The
presently occupied Al-Quds Al-Sharif ought to be the house of dialogue and understanding
Resonating from the depth of history, its voice speaks intrinsically against racism and
Zionism. Great monotheistic religions can live peacefully together in Al-Quds Al-Sharif,
but it is the very Israeli rule there that has made such a coexistence impossible
Palestine is the home of all Palestinians - Muslims, Christians and Jews - and not the
laboratory for the violent whims of Zionists.
In Afghanistan, there is no military solution to that country's predicament. Universal
outrage at massacre and genocide perpetrated there, particularly the tragic killing of
Iranian diplomats and a journalist as well as at the continued captivity of the Iranian
aid workers in the hands of the Taliban call for sober analysis and expeditious action to
bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice. Afghanistan, the land of people of
dignity and culture, has now been turned into a haven of violence, terrorism and
production and trafficking in narcotics The Afghan people, as other peoples in the world,
have the inalienable right to determine their own destiny, and have the right to enjoy a
broad-based government representing all ethnic groups, communities and tendencies in that
country. This is the only way to restore tranquility in Afghanistan.
This requires resolute international cooperation in order to inhibit the lucrative and
deadly business of production and smuggling of narcotics, illicit trafficking in weapons
and cultivating of terrorism. The United Nations, in cooperation with the Organization of
the Islamic Conference and concerned states, should bring all the parties of the conflict
to the negotiating table, paving the way for the tyrannized and destitute Afghan people to
freely determine their own destiny, and backed by solemn global support, bring the rogue
elements into compliance with the will of the international community. It should
simultaneously engage in planning for the mobilization of requisite international
assistance for reconstruction of Afghanistan once the necessary political conditions are
in place. In Kosovo, the legitimate rights of the embattled people in this province should
be recognized and the Yugoslav Government should be made to respect these rights.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Honest and sincere efforts to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,
including state terrorism, constitute another important priority for the Government of the
Islamic Republic of Iran. Terrorism is a product of desperation and nihilism. In a world
swirling in the orbit of violence and oppression, serious combat against terrorism will
not advance beyond the realm of words and slogans. Eradication of terrorism must be
concurrent with a global search for justice. This assertion should in no way be
interpreted as a justification for any form of terrorism. We unequivocally oppose, as
required by our religious, moral and cultural values and norms, all forms and
manifestations of terrorism and we shall combat it vigorously and earnestly. In our view,
in order to eradicate this menace, we should engage in serious and transparent
international cooperation to combat terrorism, and at the same time redouble our efforts
to attain the objective of global justice.
At the threshold of the third millennium, the world also needs to be liberated from the
nightmare of nuclear war and weapons of mass destruction. Recent nuclear tests in our
region, which have led to further complications, make such a necessity all the more
imperative. We should all realize that the idea of attaining security through the
acquisition of such armaments is nothing but an illusion The manifestation of resolute
global determination to eliminate all existing arsenals of weapons of mass destruction,
within an agreed time frame, would render clarity of objective, lend credence and add
dynamism to the international efforts against the production and proliferation of these
deadly weapons. The establishment of zones free fro weapons of mass destruction,
particularly in the Middle East, constitutes an appropriate first step in alleviating
tension and mistrust emanating from these weapons.
We, in the Islamic Republic of Iran, as the victims of the use of weapons of mass
destruction, are cognizant, more than anybody else, of their horrifying impact. We shall
thus stay in the forefront of international efforts to establish and strengthen universal
arrangements for their destruction. Security, development and prosperity in the Third
World require the promotion of cooperation and the utilization of proven arrangements and
mechanisms for confidence-building. In this regard, it is encouraging that the Eighth
Islamic Summit Conference in Tehran, cognizant of this necessity, established an
appropriate mechanism to foster confidence through dialogue among Islamic countries. As a
first step in this direction, I invite our neighbors in the Persian Gulf region - who have
witnessed two destructive wars in the span of one decade - to establish a security and
cooperation system in the area. In short, confidence and peace cannot be attained without
a sober revision of the mentality of the Cold War. The advancement and promotion of
culture of peace is contingent upon the recognition of the constructive role of nations
coupled wit avoidance of domination, unilateralism, confrontation and exclusion.
The Islamic Republic of Iran, in keeping with its fundamental beliefs and deep-rooted
civilizational heritage, seeks a world blessed with peace and tranquility based on human
dignity. It has accorded removal of tension the highest priority in its foreign policy. In
line with the principles of the Islamic Revolution, Iran is determined to follow its
balanced policy of expansion of relations with its neighbors and other countries on the
basis of respect for independence and equality of rights. Comprehensive peace, over and
above peace among human beings, also calls for peace between mankind and nature, which in
turn requires that mankind bring to a halt the systematic devouring of nature and instead
emphasize harmony between man and nature. The preservation of the environment, as the
common natural heritage of mankind, constitutes the most important priority of the coming
century.
Thank you for your attention.