Thursday, July 15, 2004

We Cannot Believe Muslims Are Behind Terrorism In Iraq: Leader

Tehran Times Political Desk
TEHRAN (MNA) -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in a meeting with visiting Prime Minister of Singapore Goh Chok Tong stressed the need to continue the international campaign against terrorism. Referring to the Singapore premier's comments on the campaign against terrorism, Ayatollah Khamenei added, "Terrorism is a loathsome, horrible phenomenon and the Islamic Republic of Iran has deeply felt its consequences for many years, and that is why we consider the campaign against terrorism to be essential."

The Supreme Leader added, "The terrorist attacks in Iran in the early 1980s, in which 72 prominent personalities were martyred on one occasion and a president and a prime minister on another, were organized by those terrorists who are now living freely under the supportive umbrella of those Western countries that claim to be the standard-bearers of the international campaign against terrorism. "When those horrendous terrorist attacks took place in Iran, none of the current ‘pioneers’ of the campaign against terrorism even condemned those loathsome acts." Ayatollah Khamenei also referred to the assassination of 11 Iranian diplomats and journalists in Afghanistan by Al-Qaeda and Taleban terrorists, saying, "Even then, neither the Americans, nor the Europeans, who are now pursuing Al-Qaeda agents as members of the most dangerous terror organization, showed any reaction at all."

Referring to the ongoing terrorist activities in Iraq in which the nationals of various countries are taken captive and threatened with beheading, Ayatollah Khamenei said, "We seriously suspect the agents of the Americans and Israelis are behind such horrendous terrorist acts and cannot believe that the people who kidnap Filipino nationals, for instance, or behead U.S. nationals are Muslims."

The Leader referred to the Islamic Republic of Iran's policy of expanding ties with Asian countries, including Singapore, saying, "When all conditions are equal, Iran prefers to do business with Asian partners, rather than countries in other parts of the world."

On Iran's good relations with Singapore, he said that the potential for broadening ties is now more evident than ever before in both countries.

During the meeting, which President Mohammad Khatami also attended, Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong referred to the important geographic position of Iran, the great economic potential of the country, and the remarkable stability the Islamic Republic of Iran enjoys despite the shaky situation in the Middle East. He added, "In our talks in Tehran we are determined to broaden and strengthen our bilateral ties with Iran to an unprecedented level."

Elsewhere in his remarks, he said that terrorism is a serious threat for all countries nowadays and Singapore, bearing in mind the developments in the Middle East and the terrorist activities in Iraq, is concerned that terrorism could spread to other parts of the world.

He went on to say that Singapore considers the campaign against terrorism to be an important issue and tries to play its role in that campaign alongside other countries.

Source: Tehran Times

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