Eurasia Press & News
TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Former Iranian President Seyed Mohammad Khatami said in Davos, Switzerland on Saturday that violence and terror have roots outside Iraq, and further stressed that anyone willing to help to the settlement of the Middle-East problem should first prove his impartiality.
Noting the undesirable equations formed in the Middle-East, Khatami said, “If we intend to establish security in the world, then we should form an equation which serves democracy, stability and development.”
Describing the world’s indifference in the face of the Palestinian crisis as a catastrophe, he asked, “Why should the existence of a nation be ignored and why shouldn’t a legal government like Hamas which has ascended to power through democratic elections be recognized?”
“Respecting people’s votes and views, repatriation of the refugees and restoration of public rights set the only solution to the Middle-East crisis,” the former Iranian president added.
He said anyone willing to help to the settlement of the ongoing crisis in the Middle-East should substantiate his impartiality. “And any plan for the region must be based on justice, partnership of all regional and Muslim states and restoration of the Palestinians’ rights.”
Referring to Iraq, he said that the present catastrophe in that country is the result of violence and terror which has foreign roots, and stated that the religious conflicts in Iraq are a phenomenon created by foreign elements.
“The United States is still dreaming of conquering Iraq,” Khatami said, mentioning that the United States’ attitude and the US administration’s dismissal of the Baker-Hamilton report show that Washington has not yet realized the realities dominating Iraq.
Khatami further voiced Iran’s strong support for an integrated Iraqi government, and called for extensive and all-out assistance to be provided to the Iraqi government for soothing tensions, establishing security and reconstructing the country’s economy.
Noting Iran-US relations, he said that the two countries are suffering from the wide gap of distrust, adding that the resumption of relations requires mutual understanding.
“It is not possible to resume relations while Iran shows flexibility and the counterparty pursues a policy of regime change in a country which enjoys the most democratic political system in the region. Building confidence and provoking Arabs against Iran are contradictory measures,” Khatami reminded.
Also during the same meeting, former US presidential nominee John Kerry voiced his support for Khatami’s views, and said Americans find out- only when they are outside their country- that the world is different from what they imagine.
“We should give up pessimism and pick up a realistic view,” he said, and further stressed the need for the US to change its policies towards the world countries and issues.
Regarding Iran’s nuclear rights, Kerry extended support for the Islamic Republic’s right to use civilian nuclear technology on the basis of the rules and regulations of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NTP).
He also strongly rejected specification of any kind prerequisite for the resumption of nuclear talks between Iran and the West.
The US politician also approved of Khatami’s views about increased tension and violence in the world, and concluded, “As Mr. Khatami said, violence increased in the region after the occupation of Afghanistan, Iraq and Bin Ladenism.”
