dailies laud iran's long-range missile test
irna 26/07/98 11:00
tehran, july 26, irna -- two english dailies sunday editorialized on country's successful testing of its long-range missile test.
welcoming the testing of its long-range missile, 'tehran times' said that one of the basic principles of the islamic revolution is to be independent and not accept hegemony of any power.
''the islamic republic of iran has successfully tested a missile with a range of about 1,300 km through the efforts of experts from its defense industries and without any help from any foreign country,'' state television quoted iran's defense minister rear admiral ali shamkhani as saying.
''the defense policy of the islamic republic is based on promoting its deterrent capability. considering the developments in the region and beyond, the will of the islamic republic is to preserve peace,'' shamkhani said.
the test should be viewed in a perspective that the world in which we live is divided into a strong and weak block, where might is right, pointed out the daily, adding that as a general practice the stronger one always tries to dictate the weaker one. the weaker is therefore left with no other alternative but to surrender before the mightier one.
therefore the test aimed at demonstrating iran's determination that it was not ready to accept the hegemony of others, stated tehran times in conclusion.
commenting on the same subject, 'iran news' criticized american concern over the military technological advancement by iran.
''the surprising point however is that such remarks are made at a time when washington talks about establishing a dialog with iran.''
a look at the history of the iran-iraq war fully justifies iran's right to adopt security measures to defend its borders and preserve its territorial integrity, stated the editorial.
stating that 'shahab iii' is designed for defensive purposes only, the paper added that iran's relations with the neighboring states is so warm and cordial that these countries are not concerned with iranian missiles, rather they consider it a weapon to defend their interests.
''therefore, increasing regional military strength becomes a necessity.''
moreover, compared to the military budget of other regional countries, the military budget of iran is the lowest, noted the paper, adding that the budget allocated by the iranian government is for defense and not aggression.
the contradictory attitude of washington towards iran therefore indicates that the u.s. administration is once again under heavy pressure from the zionist lobby, stated iran news in conclusion. fh/jh end ::
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
