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Reaction to president's remark illogical: Asefi

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Dec 18, IRNA
Iran-Israel-Asefi
A senior Iranian official here Sunday termed as "irrational and illogical" the reaction of the West and Europeans to the statement of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on the Zionist regime, saying it was a scientific debate.

"Remark by the Iranian president on the Zionist regime was a scientific debate. It is not a new issue," Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi said.

"I am surprised with the approaches taken towards this scientific debate. The type of reaction the Europeans and the westerners have shown to the president's remark has no place in the civilized world," Asefi told domestic and foreign reporters at his weekly press conference.

"The Europeans are used to indulging in monologue but they should learn to hear the opposite viewpoints too instead of violating the recognized norms."
The public opinion of the world today wants to know what was in the statements of the Iranian president that has made Europe and the West so sensitive, he said.

Replying to a question on the impacts of the president's remark on the future of Iran's nuclear talks with Europe, Asefi said, "We make no prejudgment or hasty judgment. Iran's rights should be recognized officially and we will not give up our rights.

"The outcome of the upcoming talks depends on the Europeans who should not make exorbitant demands. The Europeans should better look at their previous approach and attend the next meeting after reviewing their performance in the past."
Asked about allegations about Iran's interference in Iraq's elections, the spokesman said, "Contradictory reports were published in this regard. Some charged Iran with interference while others announced Iran has not interfered at all.

"We, too, stress there has been no reason for Iran's
interference in Iraq.

"What has happened in Iraq indicates the understanding of its people. The massive turnout of the Iraqi people ensured a good election in the country.

Asefi then extended his felicitations to the Iraqi nation on such a massive turnout.

He assessed as "entirely worthless and cheap" the recent statement adopted by the Human Rights Watch on two Iranian ministers saying, "It seems the group safeguards the rights of the West."
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