The President of Iran, Mohammad Khatami, has marked the Iranian New Year with a warning against hardliners saying they they produce a rift among the people and lead the country astray.
In a televised address on the eve of New Year celebrations, Khatami said that “opponents of the Islamic Revolution and the Iranian nation and those displeased with Iran's independence are going astray, as are those who fail to understand the true historical demands of the public for freedom, independence and progress, as culminated in the triumph of the Islamic Revolution, and who try to sow seeds of dissension and resort to violence in order to reap their own benefits. The Iranian nation will give a negative response to these people."
He added that tranquility, moderation and patience are the keys to realization of the Iranian nation's demands, the official agency (IRNA) said.
President Khatami said the Iranian nation seeks kindness coupled with decisiveness, security coupled with freedom, democracy coupled with commitment to religion, and progress coupled with justice.
The president's message was the fourth of its kind since he came to office after winning a landslide victory in the 7th presidential elections on May 23, 1997 --Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
