KHAMENEI: DISCUSSES THE NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE U.S. & E.U.
WITH
REGARD TO IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM
ISLAMIC REPUBLIC NEWS AGENCY (IRNA)
October 28, 2004
Supreme leader of Islamic revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei received here on Wednesday heads of three branches of government, chairman of expediency council, cabinet ministers, MPs, judiciary officials and other senior civil and military officials. In the meeting, the Supreme leader said, "The more the system`s officials should pursue justice, high virtues and devotedness to Islam, the greater would be our system`s efficiency and competence." The leader encouraged all officials to do their best to achieve social justice and full materializing of the Islamic values.
Ayatollah Khamenei said that the Islamic system`s resistance against dominant powers and Islamic awareness are the main causes of the world powers wrath against the Islamic Republic. Referring to US hue and cry over Iran`s nuclear activities, recently echoed by the Europeans, the supreme leader added, "They know that Iran is not after acquiring nuclear weapons, so they are not much concerned over the issue, so the pretexts they create are aimed at interrupting the country`s progress by occupying the minds of all three branches` top officials." He praised the Iranians as a people that comprehend complicated issues thoroughly and are quite logical.
Touching on the ongoing negotiation between Iran and European sides, the supreme leader said,"I say to those negotiating with representatives of the Iranian people not to lead us to the conclusion, through unjust and illogical words, that they do not believe in negotiations based on logic, because in that case, the people and the Islamic Republic will leave the negotiating table."
Referring to logical interaction of the Islamic Republic of Iran
with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and Iranian
officials` yielding to all UN nuclear watchdog`s demands, the supreme
leader reiterated, "whenever there has been a logical word, like
inspection by IAEA inspectors, we accept wholeheartedly, and yet we
will never yield to any kind of oppression." Ayatollah Khamenei said, "Long
term suspension of enrichment is an illogical demand" asking, "What
kind of logical relation exists
between transparency and long-term suspension of (uranium)
enrichment?" He stressed the Iranians are logical, dynamic
and ready to hold dialogue, but do not accept illogical demands and they
are ready
to
defend their rights appropriately." The supreme leader added, "If,
under whatever form, we would discern a threat during the negotiations,
that will be a sign of
a
lack of logic on the part of those negotiating, and in that case
the
Iranian people and the Islamic Republic will revise their stand
on the
very principle of negotiations and continued cooperation."
Elsewhere in his address, Ayatollah Khamenei referring to the spectacular achievements of the Iranian nation in various fields during the past decades, reiterated, "If our officials improve their efficiency in moving towards full manifestation of Islamic values, and remain accountable about their conduct, keeping in mind that we have abundant resources in this country and a nation with a successful experience in construction and advancement campaign, the Islamic Republic`s success in all fields against the infidels will be guaranteed."
The supreme leader meanwhile considered the holy fasting month of Ramadan as the best time span for purification of souls and correcting the mistakes made in the past for the nation and their officials. After the leader`s address, President Seyed Mohammad Khatami, too, in brief remarks referred to the Islamic Revolution of Iran as "The most democratic revolution in the course of the contemporary history, adding, "That great revolution`s greatest fruit is the Islamic Republic of Iran, that is established based on the values promoted in God`s last true religion, and in pursuit of freedom, democracy, justice, advancement, peace, peaceful coexistence with the others, and independence for itself and other nations." Referring to the current insecure conditions in the region, particularly due to the US-led occupation of Iraq, as well as the ongoing state-sponsored terrorism of the Zionist occupiers of Palestine, the president said, "In such a chaotic regional atmosphere Iran has managed to devise its comprehensive twenty-year development plan, that is the best proof for our system`s stability, and the full settlement of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the region."
The president considered the services offered by previous
and
current governments as the foundations for the current
stability of
the system, pointing out the services rendered by his government
during the past eight years.
Khatami said, "Iran`s economic growth has been 7.5%, its
industrial growth above 12%, and its agricultural crops
production
growth more than 11% during the current government`s tenure." President Khatami referred to the country`s newly achieved
self
sufficiency in some strategic agricultural products, particularly
wheat, noticeable technological and scientific advancement
in certain
modern fields, flourishing of the private sector, and great
advancement in telecommunications as signs for the stability
of the
Islamic system, and its readiness to achieve the objectives
of the
country`s twenty-year plan.