Khatami: Dynamic economy not possible with dictatorial governments
Tehran, Oct 5, IRNA -- President Mohammad Khatami said here on Sunday
that with dictatorial governments in power and without public
participation, a dynamic economy would not be possible.
Addressing representatives and heads of chambers of commerce from
30 members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC),
Khatami stressed the need for Islamic states to build up power for
generating thought, and promoting science and technology.
Khatami said a broad-based government, which guarantee public
rights, is needed to ensure progress.
He said, "We should learn and experience economic dynamism along
with democracy."
He added that undoubtedly, the kind of Islam would be durable that
would be compatible with the attitude.
Khatami said Muslim states are in a sensitive and special
conditions and if they use the opportunities, they would be provided
with a favorable future but if they ignore the opportunities the
threats could be detrimental.
Pointing to the efforts by foreign powers to violate independence
and security of other countries, Khatami said in the present world,
there are many threats, including threats to countries` independence
and security and to their national security in the face of powers`
interests.
Khatami said the OIC can serve as a positive point for further
cohesion among Muslim states.
He referred to Muslim world`s exceptional potentials and capacity
in many fields, including huge God-given resources, manpower and giant
oil and gas reserves, saying that such opportunities are the
advantages, which if appreciated, would undoubtedly elevate the world
of Islam to a lofty position.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Khatami said the private sector has not
been very active in Islamic countries. "We should avoid unjustified
concentration and we need courageous and prudent intellectuals to
speed up improvement of economic conditions in OIC member states,"
said Khatami.
He said that any success in establishment of relations and of
exchange of information among Muslim states` private sectors and also
in implementation of true Islamic thought, with the power to meet
today needs of mankind, would help Muslim states to achieve a
civilization that would not only be the enemy of other civilizations
but would also be able to serve as a model for others.
He added that the governments, that are only willing to dictate
and impose their wishes, would not be effective today and Muslim
states should prepare the ground for private sector cooperation and
exchange of information among them.
Pointing to Muslim states` efforts to build up their power in the
contemporary world, Khatami said if Muslim states are equipped with
science and technology as a means for power, they would become strong
and powerful.
He said, "We are for power but power of the world of Islam is in
the service of establishment of peace and friendship not for
aggression on others."
Pointing to the WTO, Khatami said before thinking on WTO, one
should think on the way to compete, while preparing legal and judicial
grounds for it.
http://www.irna.ir/#2003_10_0518_40_554