29 Aug 2003 19:36:21 GMT
Iran: U.S.-led security failure behind Hakim death
(Updates with Iranian government and Supreme Leader reaction)
TEHRAN, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Iran condemned the killing on Friday of the head of a leading Iraqi Shi'ite group, which had Iranian backing, blaming his death on the failure of U.S.-led occupiers to provide security, Iranian media reported.
A senior Iranian official earlier told Reuters the killing of Mohammed Baqer Al-Hakim, who was among scores killed by a car bomb in the Iraqi city of Najaf, would only benefit those who wanted an unstable Iraq.
Hakim, head of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), had been exiled in Iran for more than two decades before returning to Iraq in May.
"The government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, while condemning this violent and blind act, holds occupying forces in Iraq directly responsible, which based on international principles are responsible for preserving security in Iraq," Iran's official IRNA news agency quoted a statement as saying.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei announced three days of mourning, Iran's students' news agency ISNA reported.
"The martyrdom of (Hakim)...is a grave catastrophe for the Iraqi nation and is another document of the occupiers' crimes which have imposed insecurity and chaos on Iraq with their illegitimate presence," Khamenei was quoted as saying.
Iran was officially neutral in the U.S.-led war on Iraq, but welcomed the fall of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, who fought an eight-year war with Iran in the 1980s.
Iran has also condemned the U.S. occupation of the country, while the United States has warned Iran not to interfere in Iraq's internal affairs.
"I believe the only people to profit from his martyrdom are those who do not want a stable and independent Iraq," Iranian Vice President Mohammad Ali Abtahi told Reuters.
SCIRI had been criticised by some groups for cooperating with the U.S. military occupation and Hakim had been viewed by Washington as a stabilising influence in post-war Iraq.
"Hakim had made a few statements saying an Iranian-style theocracy was not suitable for Iraq and put distance between himself and his Iranian backers," said one diplomat in Tehran.
But some analysts said Hakim's death would be a blow to Iran, which had nurtured him and his group since the 1980s.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/BL2976022.htmAyatollah jannati: national resources should not be spent on factional disputes
Tehran, Aug 29, IRNA -- Substitute Leader of Tehran Friday Prayers
yatollah Ahmad Jannati stressed here that the national resources
should not be spent on the tug-of-war between the political factions
in the country.
Addressing thousands of worshipers gathered at the Tehran
University campus for the weekly congregational prayers, Ayatollah
Jannati touched on the recent directives given by the Supreme Leader
of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei on the need for
officials to try to create a tension-free society to contribute to the
national prosperity and progress.
Under the currently sensitive circumstances, Jannati said, those
getting involved in factional rows focus on the activities to preserve
the interests of the factions to which they belong and put into
oblivion the crucial issues.
He hoped that President Mohammad Khatami would do his best to
translate into action the recent recommendations given by the supreme
leader.
The problems facing the Iranian people could be solved through
having recourse to trust in the Almighty Allah, practicing religious
faith and consultations with experts and professionals and making
optimal use of the available resources, Jannati said.
Part of state budget is spent on insignificant tasks, he said
asking officials to mull over the proper spending of the resources.
Ayatollah jannati said the national capitals should come in
service of more productivity.
He said the officials have, as underlined previously by the
supreme leader, to adopt measures to administer the social justice, to
uppress the financial corruption and to remove any discriminatory
actions and behaviors.
He said administration of justice in the society would contribute
to the legitimization of the Islamic system in Iran.
As for the foreign policy issues, he referred to the arrest of the
ranian former diplomat Hadi Soleimanpour in Britain and expressed
surprise over the case.
He linked Soleimanpour`s arrest to the intense lobbying by the
Zionist regime.
It is a source of great surprise that the Zionist circle was
rocked by the blast in Argentina some 9 years ago and Iran said it
had no role in the bombings but an Iranian diplomat was arrested in
Britain due to the Zionist lobbying.
He praised the firm stand adopted by the Iranian Foreign Ministry
vis-a-vis the diplomat`s arrest and called on officials to settle
the issues with UK and Argentina once and for all.
In a telephone conversation with British Foreign Secretary Jack
Straw on August 25, Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said Iran
government was very sensitive over the fate of Iranians living abroad
and will use all its capabilities to defend their rights.
Kharrazi referred to the recent arrest of former Iranian
ambassador to Argentina Hadi Soleimanpour by British police in London
and stressed that the event would negatively affect mutual
relations.
Kharrazi said the court ruling is political and lacks any judicial
and legal credit while asserting that Soleimanpour is innocent and
should be released as soon as possible.
Straw described as `important` Iran`s viewpoints, and stressed on
continuing of mutual talks over the issue saying London would do its
utmost to settle the challenge.
Soleimanpour, 47, was recently arrested by British Police in his
home in Durham, Northeast England over his alleged involvement in the
bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires in 1994.
He is to be held in custody until Friday August 29 when the
Magistrate Court in Bow Street in London will rule on an Argentine
extradition request.
HB/214
End
He urged the Iranians to pay
more attention to the Islamic morale.
http://www.irna.ir/#2003_08_2916_48_222