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Khatami: Security of supreme importance to Iran

Tehran, April 18, IRNA
Khatami-Remarks
President Seyyed Mohammad Khatami said here Monday that the issue of security was of supreme importance to Iran.

He made the remarks in his speech in a parading ceremony on the occasion of Army Day at the site of the mausoleum of the late founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran Imam Khomeini in south of Tehran.

In his speech, he expressed regret over the fact that the prevailing atmosphere in the world was one of war, clashes, bloodshed and hatred and said exposing the world to a new wave of militarism and war-seeking attitudes under the pretext of offering freedom and democracy has now created a detestable situation in the world.

Pointing to emergence of a wave of terrorism in the world, he said the problem of creating safe havens for citizens is the most adverse issue all countries were now facing.

The President further referred to national sovereignty as the basis for country's security, independence and liberty and, recalling the terrorist attacks and riots and then the huge war launched against Iran in early years of post-revolution era, said that the sacred war had many valuable achievements both for the Iranian nation and government.

Stressing that the Iranian nation was willing and determined to confront any form of oppression and aggression at any cost, he noted that the Islamic Iran was trying to set up a mighty pattern of democracy based on religious values in the current oppressed world.

Pointing out that Iran was currently threatened by powers which wanted nations in chains, Khatami said such conditions made a comprehensive defense strategy for the country an indispensable need.

He further termed consolidating national sovereignty both in national and international arenas by Muslim and non-aligned countries as a true need and said that Iran has been trying to enhance capabilities of its armed forces in software and hardware domains.

He noted that Iranian armed forces experts, scientists and researchers have accomplished many amazing tasks which would be implemented only to defend the country.

The Iranian President praised the Iranian armed forces and paid tribute to the memories of the martyrs of the eight years of sacred defence.

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::IRNA No.024 18/04/2005 12:37 --End