U.S. Should Forgo Animosity Toward Iran: Intelligence Minister
January 03, 2004
Mehr News Agency
mehrnews.com
TEHRAN -- In response to the recent remarks of U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and Washington's temporary lifting of certain sanctions on Iran, Intelligence Minister Ali Yunesi said that Iran's problem with the United States is a security matter rather than a political or economic matter.
Yunesi added that the U.S. government has still not accepted the reality of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
He stressed that the current U.S. administration has been making relentless efforts to weaken and destroy the Islamic Republic, adding that the U.S. has established a fund for counterrevolutionary groups, started a radio service to destabilize the Islamic Republic, and formally announced that Iran is part of an "axis of evil".
"Therefore it has become obvious that U.S. officials have security problems with Iran, and so long as this viewpoint exists, no problem will be solved," Yunesi said.
He stated that Washington's recent measures are politicized, adding that the U.S. is attempting to appease Iranian nationals residing in the United States.
He added that an influential group of people in the U.S. who are allies of Iran began calling for the U.S. to provide assistance to the country after the disastrous earthquake struck the southeastern city of Bam.
Yunesi said that the Iranian government recognizes these people as its citizens.
"However, the government of President George W. Bush needs their votes and has taken the recent measures in order to obtain them," he added.
Yunesi said that Iran has accepted humanitarian aid for the quake-stricken city of Bam from all countries except Israel, adding that Iran-U.S. relations can only be improved if Washington forgoes its animosity toward Iran.
He went on to say that if the U.S. proves in practice that it is not the enemy of Iran, that would pave the way for Iran to accept its other claims.
Yunesi stated that Washington's animosity toward Iran is clearly illustrated by its efforts to continue its support of the Mujahedeen Khalq Organization (MKO) as well as the fact that it has arrested and kidnapped Iranian citizens in Iraq.
"The U.S. takes an antagonistic stance wherever Iran's interests are at stake. This shows that the country, or at least its current officials, is against the Islamic Republic of Iran," Yunesi said.
The minister referred to the decision made by the Iraqi Governing Council to expel members of the MKO, adding that Washington is attempting to find them somewhere to relocate to.
Yunesi stressed that any country that receives members of the MKO has openly announced its blatant animosity toward the Iranian nation and government.
Yunesi also spoke to reporters about the latest discussions between the Intelligence Ministry and the executive and supervisory electoral boards on the primary and secondary tasks of the Intelligence Ministry and said that the ministry is preparing for close cooperation with electoral institutions.
Yunesi stated that one of the most important responsibilities of the Intelligence Ministry in the upcoming elections is responding to various institutions' inquiries about the candidates.
He said that the Intelligence Ministry is tasked with responding to inquiries about candidates because it possesses documents from the pre-revolution era and that clarification of some issues is within the legal mandate of the ministry.
He said that in response to inquiries about candidates, the Intelligence Ministry has provided some information on their background, but has not attempted to disqualify them, adding that the electoral boards are the bodies authorized to either confirm or reject candidates' qualifications.
http://www.mehrnews.com/wfNewsDetails_en.aspx?NewsID=49297&t=Political