IRI FM: Real talks based on mutual respect; Iran-west talks positive
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Vienna, Feb 28, IRNA -- Islamic Republic of Iran's Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali-Akbar Salehi emphasized here Wednesday Iran favors real negotiations based on mutual respect; evaluates last Iran-5+1G talks optimistically; encourages declaring Mideast nuclear weapons free zone.
According to IRNA, Salehi who was speaking Wednesday night at the Fifth United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) Forum in Vienna further reiterated, 'The perilous status quo of the world around us tells us that the only way before us is the path of all-encompassing, harmonizing, and frankly cooperating with a wide spectrum of humane values, for whose materializing we must all rely on dialogue and reciprocal comprehension.'
The Iranian foreign minister appreciating the Austrian Government for hosting such an important gathering, said, 'I am sure collective wisdom and mutual understanding of us at this global gathering would contribute to pursuing the noble shared ideals of the mankind.'
Salehi added, 'Keeping in mind the short time I have, what I speak with you about tonight is simple and to the point; it is a message on behalf of the Iranians with roots in a civilization that is thousands of years old, and multidimensional.'
He reiterated, 'The unique geographical position of Iran, which is the joining point of various cultural and civilizational spheres from Asia to Europe and from the ancient times up to now, with a long course of continuous history with a rich heritage both in the pre-Islamic and the Islamic eras – which are both well known for everyone – have all in all led to the establishment of a country and a nation with a depth, a diversity and a life abounding in friendship, and peaceful coexistence.'
The Iranian top diplomat added, 'In this field, please permit me to attract your kind attention to the constructive and significant effect of the Islamic aspect of our civilization, which is inclusive of globalism, derived from a Qur'anic teaching:
«یا ایها الناس انا خلقناكم من ذكر و انثی و جعلناكم شعوباً و قبائل لتعارفوا ان اكرمكم عندالله اتقیكم» (حجرات/13).
'O people! I created you, men and women, and divided you in tribes and ethnic groups so that you would be distinguished; verily the most respectable of you is the most God-fearing.' (Chapter Hojoraat – The Chambers: 13)
Salehi emphasized, 'The basis of this divine message is respecting such modern values as diversity and pluralism, which are revered and supported by all of us.'
The Iranian politician further reiterated, 'The factor that has gathered us here is the need for finding practical ways and means beyond the established organizations and strategies aimed at helping the mankind in the framework of enriching diversity, pluralism, and differences, and even contradictions, to enable us to reach a collective understanding and to make ling side by side of each other in this world easier for us.'
Salehi added, 'All of us, developed and developing, with certain governance systems allocated to each of us, in confrontation with the challenges ahead have different responsibilities, but for a shared objective.'
He said, 'I believe the main objective for establishing the Alliance of Civilizations in inviting to move beyond the old and strong paradigms such as power politics, segregation and discrimination and elimination are replacing them with such new paradigms as inclusion, making congruent the different human value systems, promoting dialogue, and understanding.'
The Iranian diplomat reiterated, 'The perilous status of the world around us leaves us with no option, but frank all-encompassing and harmonizing of a broad spectrum of human values for whose materializing we need to hold dialogues and have mutual understanding.'
Salehi added, 'Today my main message, as the representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran as a country in a geo-strategic region faced with a combination of serious concerns, emphasis over national commitment for real elevation of the global understanding thru holding real dialogues based on mutual understanding, and respecting such established norms and rules and the traditionally accepted international laws, mutual respect, and patience and tolerance.'
He added, 'As a practical initiative related with the agenda of this gathering I would focus on the topics which I put forth a few weeks ago at Munich Security Conference 2012, I hereby also repeat that Iran is deeply committed to establishment of peace and security in its neighborhood, in the greater Middle East, and as a rule, throughout the world.'
** Nuclear Weapons Free Middle East
The Iranian foreign minster emphasized, 'Terrorism, poverty, destroying the environment and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) are, -but a few of the threats that should be urgently addressed and dealt with today.'
Salehi reiterated, 'The Islamic Republic of Iran, as a victim of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction, hereby asks for urgent and successful sponsoring of a global conference for a nuclear weapons and WMD-free Middle East and in this respect I would like to draw your kind attention to the religious decree issued by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran on being religiously forbidden (Haraam) of manufacturing such weapons.'
He said, 'Keeping in mind this point, we announce our readiness for joining and maximum cooperation in such initiatives as the UN Alliance of Civilizations.'
The foreign minister added, 'In addition to the God-given potentials of my country, some of which I connotatively referred to earlier, I hereby add that presently the Islamic Republic of Iran is the rotating head of the Non Aligned Movement (NAM), and this important position naturally contributes to our participation of collective efforts of that international organization.'
Ali-Akbar Salehi at the end noted, 'Happiness and wellbeing must conquer such concepts as sadness, separation and loneliness both in advanced and in advancing countries. Under such conditions that the challenges before us are endless and huge, the potentials for shared efforts and positive and sure steps forward have equal significance. Thru mutual understanding and respect, and relying on real cooperation thru practical and actual ways, we can with open eyes and realistic expectations long for a brighter future.'
The Iranian foreign minister ended his address with the following famous two verses by the classical Iranian poet, Sa'di Shirazi whose English translation is roughly:
The offspring of Adam and Eve resemble to limbs of the same body
As in creation they are from the same gem
When the time and circumstances cause pain in a limb
The other limbs, too, get impatient
You who feel no pain seeing the misery of the others
Are not fit for being called a human
** Optimist about Outcome of Iran-5+1G Negotiation
Before attending the conference hall, Salehi said in response to the reporters who had asked his opinion about the ongoing Iran-5+1 Group negotiation emphasized that he was optimist about the outcome of those talks.
Top United Nations officials on Wednesday urged world leaders to promote tolerance and respect, adding that these principles can contribute to resolving conflicts, such as those in Syria and Mali, as well as addressing a host of other global challenges.
"Durable solutions need long-term mutual understanding that transcends religious, national, cultural and ethnic boundaries. Such understanding comes from responsible leadership – the theme of this forum," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in his remarks to the opening of the Fifth Global Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations.
"From the world stage to local communities, leaders need to speak the language of tolerance and respect, not division and defamation," he added. "Wherever tensions divide communities, the opportunity exists for the Alliance to build bridges and to help people move from conflict to collaboration."
Launched in 2005 through the initiative of Spain and Turkey, and under the auspices of the UN, the Alliance seeks to promote better cross-cultural relations worldwide. The theme for this year's forum, which comprises decision-makers, experts, and a variety of stakeholders in the field of intercultural and interreligious dialogue, is 'Responsible Leadership in Diversity and Dialogue.'
Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, the UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, said he believed responsible leadership can create the necessary social cohesion, where every man and woman feel included.
"I believe that the Alliance can enhance international cooperation and contribute to the efforts of the United Nations to address the challenges facing humanity today, particularly when they are rooted in identity and cultural underpinnings," he stated.
Mr. Ban noted that among the areas where the Alliance is "well placed to contribute" is the conflict in Syria. As the situation there continues to worsen, he said he is "extremely concerned about the risk of sectarian violence and mass reprisals" in a country that is an "extraordinary mosaic of tribes, ethnicities, languages and religions."
He said Syrians will need help from the Alliance, particularly from religious leaders from all denominations, to foster healing and to rebuild damaged relationships.
The Alliance, he continued, could also help "to re-stitch Mali's tattered tapestry" by engaging religious and community leaders, grassroots organizations and youth in the country, which has been beset by fighting since January 2012.
Mr. Ban also said that Israelis and Palestinians remain polarized, while movement in the Middle East peace process is "overdue." He added that he was particularly concerned about the region's youth, who are at risk of growing up with a "demonized, dehumanized – and utterly false – concept of their neighbors."
He urged the Alliance to support peacemakers on both sides, such as Aziz Abu Sarah. A Palestinian whose brother was killed, Mr. Sarah leads tours of the conflict areas that show both sides of the conflict and plans to expand to Egypt and Jordan, with the Alliance's support.
The Secretary-General, in separate remarks to the media, said there is a growing understanding that the politics of division, hatred and misperceptions, particularly the language of hatred, "tear the fabric of our society."
Also addressing the opening session, the President of the UN General Assembly, Vuk Jeremic, called the Alliance a 'soft-power tool of preventive diplomacy', which contributes to overcoming tensions among cultures, faiths and societies, while also guarding against globalization.
"It is my deeply-held view that enlarging the common denominator of values and principles which bind us to each other truly serves the cause of peace," Mr. Jeremic told the more than 1,200 participants gathered for the two-day event.
Mr. Ban also addressed the Alliance's Intercultural Innovation Award Ceremony, organized by the BMW Group and held last night at Vienna's Opera House. Noting the work of the ten finalists, Mr. Ban said: "The creative solutions being showcased tonight hold lessons for all communities and for organizations such as the United Nations."
The first place winner, Puerta Joven of Mexico, received a $50,000 prize for 'Lenguas Jóvenes' or Languages of Youth, which brings together indigenous youth groups who are discriminated because of their cultural identity or language.
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Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 80563556
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