• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Iran should tactfully confront nuclear row: Khatami

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Oct 2, IRNA
Iran-Khatami-Nuclear
Chairman of the International Center on Dialogue Among Civilizations and Cultures here on Monday said that Iranian officials should tactfully confront nuclear disputes by upholding the principles of Islamic Republic of Iran.

Speaking to Jam-e-Jam international TV network about his trip to the US, Mohammad Khatami said, "We should negotiate Iran's nuclear issue, and if certain parties say they (the foreigners) cannot be trusted, this will become evident during the negotiation." Stressing that Iran should avert war, the country's red-line is its national interests, he added that Islamic Republic of Iran always faces threats and plots, therefore, it should avoid tension.

Asked about Iran's strategy in confronting crisis, the former Iranian president said there are certain centers stirring up such crisis because their interests are at stake due to the country's ideology or other issues.

Pointing to problems from earlier periods, he underlined that despite the differences, Iranians should maintain unity and give priority to the 20-Year Vision.

On his advice to the new president, he said, "I told Mr. Ahmadinejad to try to strengthen Iran's solidarity, albeit we preach different mottos on democracy and freedom or justice. We should try to boost national potentials in the fields of IT, ICT, Biotechnology and nuclear programs, and Mr. president welcomed my remarks." "Implementation of Asalouyeh projects was the most significant achievement of my eight-year tenure," he noted.

Furthermore, he pointed to his speech to students two years ago, saying that 'it was one of my best days when some students protested while I made a speech, but their objections were inappropriate. This shows that there is democracy in Iran, because people can protest to the head of the administration without any fear of being prosecuted." Asked about the best wish that he had, he replied, "I wish our country can achieve the status it deserves."

He said that if he wins the presidential election once more, he will give priority to his former mottos such as 'religious democracy', 'need for tension-free measures' and 'proper assessment of 20,000-million-rial subsidies allocated to the people'.

Khatami concluded that his most important concern is about Iran missing the opportunities.

AN/2322/1412