Khatami stresses need for restoration of peace to Iraq
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Tehran, May 11, IRNA -- President Mohammad Khatami here Tuesday stressed the importance of establishing peace in Iraq, saying all should help restore peace to Iraq and delegate the country`s sovereignty to its people. Khatami made the remark at a press conference with Muslim Head of Bosnian presidential council Sulejman Tihic who arrived here early Tuesday at the head of a delegation comprising members of the presidential council of Bosnia-Herzegovina. "Iran welcomes a democratic and popular Iraq which is governed by its people," Khatami said, adding "The Islamic Republic tries to materialize such a goal and help in reconstructing Iraq." "Today, Iraq is the center of terror and riot. We are witnessing one of the worst examples of suppression and violation of human rights by the occupiers in that country," Khatami said in response to a Bosnian reporter on Iraq. The crisis not only inflicts damage on the Iraqi people but claims many lives of the occupation forces, Khatami noted. The president termed the heartfelt torture of the Iraqi people by the occupation forces as being among the most disastrous events revealed by mass media, prompting outcry worldwide. "We were opposed to Saddam`s regime," said Khatami adding that the Iraqi people and regional states` interests would have been at stake if the Iraqi government had not been toppled. "We are not sad over fall of Saddam`s regime but are opposed to Iraq`s occupation by the aliens," he stressed. Khatami warned the occupiers that occupation of Iraq would would produce no results but terror. Asked about the Palestinian issue, he said, "We believe the Palestinian crisis would not be settled because of lack of due attention to it. The region is in need of sustainable peace as a result of which Muslims, Christians and Jews can coexist peacefully." "The region will not attain sustainable peace unless the Palestinian people achieve their legitimate rights and the Palestinian refugees have the right to return to their homeland and determine their own fate," the president said. "(Israel Prime Minister Ariel) Sharon`s Iron Fist policy and the US support for it deteriorates the regional crises," he stated. Khatami further stressed that understanding and recognition should replace invasion, occupation and suppression so that peace can be restored to the region. "Our region is a strategic trouble spot," he said, adding, "Iran is the most stable country in the region. It is a secure state in the region due to the detente policy it pursues in the region and the world, despite enmities and pressures." Pointing to the current visit of members of the presidential council of Bosnia-Herzegovina to Iran, the president said the visit took place in continuation of visits between the two countries` officials, terming the visit as a turning point in bilateral relations. Sulejman Tihic, for his part, said the visit by the Bosnian delegation to Iran showed the very good political ties between Iran and Bosnia, adding the visit is an opportunity for the two sides to expand relations in all fields particularly in various economic areas. Pointing to agreements signed by Iran and Bosnia, he said the officials held talks on agreement on free trade, campaign against organized crimes and terrorism. He added the visit by three members of Bosnian presidential council to Iran showed stable situation in Bosnia, saying sustainable peace has been established in Bosnia. He voiced his country`s readiness to expand bilateral economic cooperation with Iran. Members of the presidential council of Bosnia-Herzegovina arrived here early Tuesday morning to discuss expansion of bilateral ties with senior Iranian officials. The Bosnian delegation is led by Sulejman Tihic. Besides Tihic, the Muslim member of the Council, the delegation comprises Dragan Covic and Borislav Paravac, the Croat and Serb members of the council, respectively. It is the first collective visit by the council to Iran which can be regarded as a turning point in relations between the two countries. Members of Bosnian presidential council are scheduled to inspect a number of Iranian industrial and economic centers. The three-member council is also to visit the ancient city of Bam, southeast of Iran which was devastated by a killer quake on December 26. Simultaneous with their visit to Bam, construction of an education center in the quake-stricken city will be launched. The center will be built by the donations made by the Bosnian people and government to Bam. SF/212
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