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Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei - leader of the Islamic Revolution Tehran, Sept 26, IRNA - Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Wednesday called for serious campaign against terrorism and said that the statements made by U.S. officials on definition of terrorism are unacceptable. Addressing the families of martyrs of the Iraqi-imposed war (1980-1988), the Supreme Leader said that the Islamic Republic of Iran does not regard U.S. as sincere in fighting terrorism and will not join in any move orchestrated by the United States in this respect. The Leader pointed to the 'arrogant' statements by U.S. officials and said that the humiliation the U.S. has suffered (by the terrorist attacks on the American cities on September 11) cannot serve as reason for such an arrogant statements adding that the people of the world will not bow to such statements. The Supreme Leader ruled out the idea (put forward by the U.S. president) either siding with the U.S. or with terrorism and said that it is a wrong perception, because today some governments, which are allies |
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dangerous than all the terrorists. "Those at the helm of the Zionist regime, have
taken part in the most heinous and brutal terrorist attacks and are continuing their
actions," the Leader said. "We are not with you, and not with the terrorists
either," the Supreme Leader declared. "By American logic, massacre of the people
in Sabra and Shatila (in 1982) and Qana (in 1999) and the legislation to assassinate the
Palestinians cannot be regarded as terrorism, but the legitimate defense of the
Palestinians to liberate their lands is called terrorism," questioned Ayatollah
Khamenei. "The American officials say there is no good or bad terrorism, but, they
have practically classified terrorism to good and bad. An example of which is the shooting
down of the Iranian airliner over the Persian Gulf (in 1988) which caused loss of life of
hundreds of innocent people by the U.S. warship (Vincennes). The U.S. (President Clinton)
awarded the navy commander responsible for downing the airliner instead of offering
apology to Iran," the Supreme Leader said. The Leader condemned the U.S. media
propaganda campaign against the Muslims from the early hours of the terror attacks on
September 11, and asked how did the U.S. intelligence agency immediately reached the point
that the terrorists are Muslims. If the U.S. intelligence agency is so quick in
identifying the terrorists in a matter of hours, why could they not neutralize the plot
which takes several years or several months to plan? the leader asked. The Leader
criticized the U.S. president's statement calling for 'Crusade' against terrorism and said
if the wording is not deliberate, why did the U.S. official speak so carelessly? "You
have embarked on propaganda campaign against the Muslims. You announce names of the Muslim
suspects while you do not release the names of the U.S. or western suspects. Then you ask
the people not to attack the Muslims," Ayatollah Khamenei said. The Leader condemned
the approach the U.S. officials have taken in the wake of the attacks against U.S.
interests and said that such an attitude leads to hatred for the U.S. administration so
that the U.S. flag is burned in different parts of the world. "The Islamic Republic
of Iran will not help the U.S. and its allies in any attack on Afghanistan," the
Supreme Leader said. "You have always dealt blow to Iranian interests in the past 23
years. How do you expect us to help you in attacking the war-stricken people of
Afghanistan in our neighborhood?" the Leader said in response to U.S. request from
Iran. The Leader said that the United States is using the current situation to gain
influence on Iran's eastern borders, in the region, the Central Asia and the South Asian
sub-continent. The struggle against terrorism should be initiated by the United Nations
without the influence of the U.S. and western powers, the Leader said, Islamic states and
the Organization of the Islamic Conference should also shoulder the onerous task of
fighting terrorism. The Afghan people are not different from other people in the entire
world, so that they should not be fallen victims for various reasons, the Leader
concluded. Tehran, Sept 17, IRNA -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei here on Monday condemned massacre of defenseless people whatever kind it might be. In a meeting with his representatives at universities, Ayatollah Khamenei, referring to recent terrorist attacks in the United States, said killing of innocent people whether Muslims or Christians or of any other religious groups is condemned. Ayatollah Khamenei said, "Killing of people, in any place and with any kind of weapons, including atomic bombs, long-range missiles, biological or chemical weopons, passenger or war planes, carried out by any organization, country or individuals is condemned." The Leader stressed, "It makes no difference whether such massacres happen in Hiroshima, Nakazaki, Qana, Sabra, Shatila, Dir Yassin, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq or in New York and Washington." The Leader said, "The Islamic Republic of Iran, based on such a policy, condemns any probable military action against Afghanistan which will lead to another human tragedy." Ayatollah Khamenei stressed that there should be no discrimination in condemning the massacre of human beings and said "Why has the world closed its eyes on the crimes committed by the Zionists in the occupied Palestine and has been silent toward such tragedy?" The Leader pointed to the efforts made by the Zionist regime to take advatage of the attacks in the United States by intensifying pressure on the Muslims in Palestine and said, "Under current situation, Muslims are duty bound to voice their protest against the crimes of the Zionist regime." Stressing that serious vulnerability of the United States in its internal security affairs has now been made known, Ayatollah Khamenei said, "How come a country that claims to be the headman of the 'global village', harbors the most dangerous terrorists." Ayattollah Khamenei said exorbitant demands by the world powers is the root cause of their losses and added,"the reason of the recent events is the expansionist policies of the United States in the world and if this country had abandons these policies and dealt with its internal affairs, such problems and events would not have taken place." The Leader said,"Today, too, if the Americans intend to expand their power in the region by presence in Pakistan and sending forces to Afghanistan, it will just add to their own problems." Ayatollh Khamenei pointed to the"agony of the the oppressed people of Afghanistan during the past 25 yeras" and said,"Are those Muslim people once more to be crushed under the yoke of war because some people are alleged to have taken part in the attacks in the United States, although these accusations have not been proved?" He stressed that many indications support the supposition that the Zionists might have been the designers and directors of the recent attacks in the U.S. and said,"The fact that there are some Muslim names which are not known how have entered the terrorist network, cannot be a permission for oppression against the Muslims and attack on the people of Afghanistan." Ayatollah Khamenei expressed regret over the poisonous propaganda by the western media about the Muslims and their efforts to provoke public opinion against them and said,"How can you accuse the Muslims who have been oppressed in the world and even in the United States and how can you generalize the accusation against a Muslim which has not yet been proved to all Muslims?" The Leader said,"Can you condemn all Jews because of the heinous crimes that the Zionists are currently committing against the Palestininas? :irna 22:09 . |
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President Khatami Year 2001 Dialogue Among Civilizations Excerpt from Khatami's address at the United Nations 9.21.98 "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 levels, is contingent upon dialogue among .... |
| societies and civilizations
representing various views, inclinations and approaches. Full text of above
address to UN Articles: Commentary: Links: |
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