President Bush said U.S. humanitarian aid to Iranian quake victims does not signify an easing of relations with Tehran, and he demanded the Islamic Republic's leaders hand over captured al Qaeda operatives and "abandon their nuclear weapons program."
Bush added the easing of restrictions was not a sign of a change in policy, but rather a means to show Iranians that the "American people care and we've got great compassion for human suffering."
"I eased restrictions in order to be able to get humanitarian aid into the country," Bush said. "It's right to take care of people when they hurt."
He added: "The Iranian government must listen to the voices of those who long for freedom, (they) must turn over al Qaeda that are in their custody, and must abandon their nuclear weapons program."
Bush said he hopes Iran "will get rid of their nuclear weapons program in a verifiable way, that they will listen to the IAEA and the United Nations, and get rid of the programs that they said they are willing to do." (Albawaba.com)
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
