Iran's former president said on Saturday that the Bush administration was showing "signs of sense" by saying it wanted to resolve differences with Iran peacefully, according to AP.
President George W. Bush said on January 29 that Iran, along with Iraq and North Korea formed an "axis of evil" that supports terrorism and seeks to develop weapons of mass destruction.
However, Hashemi Rafsanjani said Saturday at the Tehran University that Bush's trip to Asia this month and CIA director George Tenet's meetings throughout the Middle East "brought some sense to their minds," state television said.
"They suggested negotiations with North Korea and they also said that they did not want a war with Iran. God willing, this is the case," Rafsanjani expressed.
During his Asia visit, Bush said, "We want to resolve all issues peacefully, whether it be Iraq, Iran or North Korea, for that matter."
But Rafsanjani warned the situation was still tense and called for unity and harmony within Iran's leadership.
"We should regulate our affairs in a manner as not to give an excuse to the dinosaurs of the world," he said.
"In view of their psychological condition, their domestic problems and their feeling of isolation, the situation can be dangerous if they find an excuse."
Rafsanjani, a conservative cleric and head of the Expediency Council, the Islamic Republic’s top arbitration body, spoke during a sermon for the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha. The Expediency Council arbitrates between parliament and the judiciary.
Rafsanjani also received a few laughs from the audience when he said U.S. policy and Bush's management "reminds him of a dinosaur with the brain of a sparrow." (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
