Iran's President Mohammad Khatami on Friday strongly denied Israeli media reports that he had met with Israel's president Moshe Katzav during funeral procession for the World Catholic Church Leader Pope John Paul II in Vatican. Upon return home, Khatami said, "These allegations are false like other allegations made by Israeli media and I have not had any meeting with any one from Zionist Regime."
Israeli media reported Friday that during the Pope's funeral ceremony, Khatami shook hands with Katzav and even exchanged with him some comments.
Pointing to Iran's stances toward Israel, Khatami said, "As reiterated many times, we do not both morally and logically recognize Israel which was created based on force and usurpation." Khatami said that recognizing Israel means that occupation and force are rooted in legitimacy, adding "To me, recognizing the existence of the state of Israel would be an injustice to humankind.
"And if it is approved that presence and existence of the people by force and occupation are legitimate, then humanity would suffer." "We do not meddle in efforts for peace but hope that world would know why all peace-making plans have been unsuccessful; Doesn't that point to wrong nature of the peace plans?" asked Khatami, according to IRNA.
