Leader: Region Now Under Threat From U.S.
TEHRAN, Sept. 30, (Mehr News Agency) - - Ayatollah Khamenei, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, today met with the Syrian Vice-President Abdolhalim Khaddam and his entourage. He stressed the high status of Tehran-Damascus ties in the Iranian foreign policy and the need for further cooperation.
“The foundation of this firm cooperation was laid by the late Hafiz Asad and now we witness that the same trend is retained by the young Hafiz Asad, Bashar Asad,” he added. Regarding the status quo in the region, notably in Palestine and Iraq he said, “Cooperation and coordination among the countries of the region are of great significance under such circumstances.” He described racial and religious conflicts as great dangers “Iraqi groups and all effective countries should try to preserve the Iraqi unity and integration.”
Ayatollah Khamenei reiterated that the Islamic Republic of Iran is suspicious of the intelligence services of the Zionist Regime and the U.S. in regard to terrorist acts inside Iraq such as the case of Martyr Ayatollah Seyed Mohammad Baqir Hakim. Martyr Hakim used to symbolize the Iraqi independence and integration and the Iraqi people’s protest against occupation; Abdol-Aziz Hakim will follow his path.
He described the use of threat as a frequent device used by the U.S. to terrorize the officials and the elite for achieving its objectives.
“Countries in the region should realize that the U.S. threats are targeted against all nations in the region; these countries can thwart the U.S. policies only by cooperation and coordination,” he added.
He expressed hope that the Palestinians and the Iraqis would soon regain their freedom. “The Islamic Republic of Iran is very optimistic about the future.”
While the Iranian Vice-President, Aref, was present at the meeting, the Syrian Vice-President underscored the excellent ties between the two countries and asked for their further enhancement.
Elaborating on the situation in the Occupied Territories and Iraq, Abdol-Haleem Khaddam stressed that the U.S. presence in Iraq is a danger for the whole region.
Emphasizing the need for maintaining unity and integration in Iraq, he said that despite all the U.S. attempts to help the Zionist Regime, all Washington’s plans such as the Oslo Accords and the Road Map were doomed to failure.
“If the regional countries cooperate on the issue of Palestine, the Zionist Regime will definitely fail in all its efforts,” he added.
http://www.tehrantimes.com/Description.asp?Da=10/1/03&Cat=2&Num=010 (( The Tehran Times is a pro-cleric newspaper in Iran- Just wanted all Freepers to see how these hard-liners in Iran view us ))!
Lari urges boosting confidence
2003/10/01
Tehran, Oct 1 - Minister of Interior said here Tuesday that people should feel that their votes counts in elections.
Speaking at a gathering of governors from across the nation, Abdolvahed Mousavi Lari added that if people feel that their representative are running the national affairs then they will strive to back them in the settlement of crisis or in resolving problems.
"The people, through their participation in elections, will express their will and desire," Lari said.
He said the level of people participation in elections will revealthe direction of the society and the people's wants and aspirations.
The upcoming 7th Majlis election embodies sensitivities different from previous elections, the interior minister underlined.
"The world is also watching the level of people's participation in the elections."
He further referred to statements by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei and President Mohammad Khatami on the importance of people's participation in elections.
"If we are part of the Islamic system, it is because of the people's votes," he added.
http://www.iribnews.com/Full_en.asp?news_id=189306&n=14 (( IRIB is a state-run public media in Iran ))