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Kuala Lumpur, Feb 24, IRNA -- Iranian President Seyed Mohamad Khatami
Monday reminded the 116-member Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) that Iran
opposes use of force to change any regime in any country.
In speaking out against war, the President told the head of
States or Government of NAM, who are attending the two-day summit in
Putra World Trade Center here said the future of Iraq, as anywhere
else in the world, should be determined by the people concerned, and
not through foreign intervention.
Needless to say, he reiterated, the Iraqi government must also
comply with the relevant Security Council resolutions in an
unambiguous and transparent manner.
Iran, President Khatami said based on the tenets of Islam as a
religion of humanity, rationality, justice and peace, and also from
the vantage point of international and regional considerations, is
opposed to war-mongering policies.
"This position of principle should not be understood as a
support for any particular policy, rather, it is policy against a
dangerous trend and precedent towards consolidating the ascending
unilateralism as well as the foundations of a new fundamentalism and
the emerging totalitarianism, he said.
He said the new trend is bound to endanger international security
and undermine the very rationale for international institutions and
organizations in charge of maintaining peace and security, i.e., most
notably the United Nations.
The president said a military attack against Iraq will subject
the suffering people of Iraq to immeasurable further suffering; will
endanger the stability and security of our sensitive area; will create
economic instability in this strategic region; will certainly bring
in its wake a host of destructive environmental consequences, and last
but not least, it will create a humanitarian catastrophe for the
neighboring countries.
It will also strengthen extremism and help retard the measured
movement that has started and is taking root in the region towards the
establishment of democracy compatible with religion, morality and
culture.
On the Palestinian issue, President Khatami said NAM has
been seized from the very beginning with the question of Palestine.
"It is a matter of great regret that the Israeli regime,
misusing the political atmosphere following the tragic events of Sept
11, has intensified its repressive attitude and policy of the Zionist
regime has made it more crystal clear than ever before that Israel is
not committed to the pursuant of an honorable peace, he said.
He said It was also a fact known to all that violation of
international undertakings and commitments is perpetrated more by
Israel than anywhere else.
President Khatami aid NAM carries a very heavy responsibility
towards what is happening to the oppressed people of Palestine, a
living, ongoing case of crime against humanity.
Given the current world situation and the constructive role, he
said NAM was capable of playing in this regard, taking bigger and
more substantial steps for revitalization is imperative.
"It is now high time that the Movement adopt a new approach and
policy to strive against the rising trend towards unilateralism and
emergence of the a uni-polar world, he stressed, adding that the
movement could, and should, rely on the ever-increasing consciousness
among the nations of the world it is endeavours.
He also called on NAM to utilize and mobilize all its
potentials, varied and great as they are, to safeguard peace based
on justice, security based on sovereign equality of nations and
states, and independence based on progress.
President Khatami called on the people of all walks of life
everywhere in the world, particularly the good-intentioned thinkers
and intellectuals, even in the United States say "No" to war-mongering
and policies bent on violence and vengeance.
With the world now facing horrendous threats and dangers,
President Khatami mooted the idea to NAM summit "Peace lover of
the World Unite".
"Just a few years back, I spoke of the "Dialogue among
Civilizations" and cultures, which was welcomed by the international
community and in particular, intellectuals and scholars," he said .
"And more recently, in the midst of all the hue and cry of war and
violence, I presented the idea of "Coalition of Peace and Justice."
And now, with the world facing horrendous threats and dangers,
may I call from this rostrum of NAM "Peace Lover of the World Unite,"
he concluded.
The first conference was held in Belgrade in 1961. There are
currently 114 members.
The meeting has taken on added significance because of the
growing concerns over the situation in Iraq, which is a NAM member.
The summit is expected to issue a Final Document, Kuala Lumpur
Declaration, Statement on Iraq and a Statement on Palestine. The
document will focus on the movement's position on various issues while
he declaration will be centered on the revitalization of the
movement.