Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Iran expects Obama to seize chance for Iran cooperation, president

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, May 26, IRNA -- President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Wednesday that Tehran Declaration on fuel swap on May 17 has created a golden opportunity for the US President Barack Obama to fulfill his promise of change and initiate cooperation with Iran.

President Ahmadinejad made the remarks during his third round of provincial tour to Kerman province.

Addressing enthusiastic people in Kerman, he said Obama should know that if he misses the chance, the Iranian nation will not provide him with a new opportunity.

Obama should keep in his mind that Tehran Declaration will provide him a historical chance to fulfill his promise of change, he said.

President Ahmadinejad said last week that Obama's election campaign promise of change will be materialized by Washington's practical steps to make good on hostility of former US administrations with Iran.

"Obama's election campaign promise has focused to bring new changes and is to respect the legitimate rights of nations through honoring their rights and abandoning the wrong policies of former US administrations."

Tehran Declaration is a good example to test sincerity of those calling for justice and mutual understanding to resolve the global developments, said President Ahmadinejad.

“If they seek to find pretexts to proceed with hostility, all doors will be closed to them. US president should exercise vigilance to successfully play his humanitarian role for future generations and that the Tehran Declaration will be a golden opportunity to this end."

President Ahmadinejad criticized Russian President Dmitry Medvedev for pessimistic statement ahead of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil's visit to Tehran to mediate between Iran and the Vienna Group -- The U.S., France, and Russia -- on fuel swap.

Respecting the rights and national sovereignty is the least expectation of every neighboring state from each other, he said.

“I hope the Russian president will hear me. It is difficult for us to explain the behavior of the Russian leaders to Iranian nation, as our nation doubts that whether Russia is its friend or is looking for something else,” he said.

“If I were the Russian president, I would be cautious in dealing with the great nation of Iran.”

Russian behavior is not acceptable and I hope the Russian leaders to review the situation and correct their mistakes, he said.

The Tehran Declaration is a criterion for abiding by international law, he said adding that it is also a criterion for the US, Russia and the European states to carry out their duties in line with the international conventions.