U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan on Wednesday ruled out any type of Iranian involvement in producing weapons of mass destruction.
Annan, addressing a press conference at the U.N. Headquarters stressed that, "the International Atomic Energy Organization (IAEO), in which Iran is an active member, has never reported any violation by Iran”, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).
United States President George W. Bush and other senior US officials have repeatedly accused Iran along with Iraq and North Korea of developing weapons of mass destruction.
Furthermore, Annan expressed surprise, according to IRNA, over branding Iran, along with Iraq and North Korea as part of an “axis of evil”.
With regards to a separate matter, Annan hailed Tehran's full backing for the interim Afghan government, adding that, "in my recent talks with (Iran's Supreme Leader) Ayatollah Khamenei, President (Seyed Mohammad) Khatami, Foreign Minster (Kamal) Kharrazi and Parliament Speaker (Mehdi) Karroubi they all emphasized on the need for full support of the Afghan interim government, because achieving security in Afghanistan is of strategic importance for Iran”.
Greece
Iranian President Khatami met Wednesday in Athens with Greek Prime Minister Konstantinos Simitis to review mutual relations as well as global and regional developments.
Khatami commented on the relations between the two countries, saying, "Tehran-Athens ties have been founded upon understanding and mutual respect."
The Iranian President emphasized that political, economic and social understanding amongst nations can only be reached through reasonable dialogue. He said that the agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) signed recently by the two countries could enhance relations, and added that his country would welcome any expansion of ties with Greece and the European Union (EU).
With regards to the global situation and challenges facing the world, he blamed them on the destruction caused by two devastating global wars and the dangers posed by unilateralism.
Fortunately, he added, Europe, Asia and Africa and some American intellectuals opposed any plan that would endanger the world through the use of nuclear weapons. "The campaign against terrorism and war will not succeed without (countries) reaching an understanding and mutual respect," Khatami said, according to IRNA.
Regarding the issue of Palestine, he described it as leaving a "deep scar" on the face of the Middle East, regretting the fact that an entity of such historical background was being denied recognition and millions of Palestinians denied the right to return to their native land.
In addition, he rejected all types of terrorism regardless of whether "governments are involved in particular terroristic moves or any group takes innocent victims to achieve their goals," and urged the EU to take more serious measures to defend the rights of the Palestinians in order to establish peace in the Middle East.
For his part, Konstantinos Simitus stressed the role of dialogue in achieving peaceful solutions and said that mutual understanding played a major factor in solving global issues, IRNA added.
Regarding the EU's interest in expanding relations with Iran, he stressed that Greece, which is to take over the EU presidency after Spain, would direct its efforts towards the enhancement of Iran-EU ties.
Furthermore, he recalled the need to put an end to violence in the Middle East and said that the EU supported the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
Stating Iran’s essential role in efforts to re-build Afghanistan and pointing out to the importance of the global campaign against terrorism, Simitus said, "We call for a follow-up of the campaign within the framework specified by the UN."
Iranian President Khatami, who arrived in Athens for a three-day visit on Wednesday after concluding an earlier visit to Vienna, was warmly greeted by the Greek President.
The two leaders had signed five MoUs on mutual cooperation in the economic, political and cultural realms following the conclusion of a first round of negotiations. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
