Iran vows continued support for the Palestinians, views on regional issues
Iran-Regional, Politics, 12/11/2001

Iran's ambassador in Damascus Hussein Sheikh al-Islam has urged at an Iftar banquet held at the Iranian cultural consulate in Damascus on Saturday, December 8, attended by several Syrian journalists, the Islamic world to spare no efforts to defend the Palestinian people suffering under the Israeli occupation.

He said that the last week in the holy month of Ramadan is dedicated by the late Imam Khumeini as the " Day of Jerusalem" for the support of the Palestinian people, noting that there is co-operation programs in all parts of the Islamic world to celebrate this day.

He said that a conference will be held by the Iranian embassy at the Damascus " Youths city" on November 13 and 14 and some 500 prominent Islamic figures concerned will attended the deliberations of the two- day conference.

He said that the conference's concentration on the Palestinian youths means honoring those who silenced the " Israeli tanks by their bared chests."

Replying to a question on Iran's position towards the situation in Afghanistan ambassador Sheikh al-Islam said that from the very beginning Iran stood against attacking Afghanistan even before these attacks had started He explained that though Iran is not in line with Taliban's policy since a long time before they assumed power in Afghanistan, however,:" we do not agree that the answer to the crime against the US, innocent people of Afghanistan are paying the price. He said killing innocents whether being in New York, Afghanistan, Palestine or Tehran is but a manifestation of terrorism, as terrorism only means terrifying people whether this terrorism is conducted by the American authority, by Muslims or by non Muslims, alike.

He added that Iran's co-operation with the opposition Afghani groups rallied in the " North alliance " is not categorically linked to the American position towards this " north alliance ." He explained that Iran has ever supported the " Alliance " forces in Afghanistan in their war against the Soviet presence in that country, even when they assumed power, when they left Kabul, forced by Taliban and the same position continues to be the same true when " the North Alliance " have returned back to power in Afghanistan.

He explained that the common united position against Taliban has brought together both the US and the " North Alliance " as both enjoys same interests towards fighting Taliban. Such a position which has brought the two sides will not be the same in future. He commented that "The Afghans share a common spirit of resisting foreign occupation. " He stressed that Ian's old- new support for the " Afghani north alliance " is not because of the US and it will continue until stability is attained in this country.

As for Iran's position towards the threats against Iraq, ambassador Sheikh al-Islam said that Iran opposes any threat to any country whatsoever, especially if it is a Muslim, an Arab and a neighboring country. Such threats, he said, will intensify conditions and are conducive to further unrest. He said that Iran has officially and openly opposed the US intervention in Afghanistan and the same position is applicable to any American attack against Iraq.

He explained that Iran's attitude is that of the conduct of the late Grand Iranian Imam al-Khumeini towards supporting the Palestinians. Iran's struggle against Israel will continue.

Similarly, the Iranian President Muhammad Khatami described the World Day on Jerusalem which is celebrated in the last Friday of Ramadan as a day for defending human rights.

In a ceremony held on December 6 in Tehran on this occasion the Iranian President said that Palestine is an evident example on ignoring human rights in the world.

He explained that Palestine was usurped and millions of its people were displaced. He called on human rights advocated not only to react to incidents taking place in their own respective countries, rather to support the Palestinians in their struggle and to unmask the true face of the Israelis who violate human rights in Palestine.

The Iranian President added that the Iranian people and the Islamic nation, as well will take part in the demonstrations to be held in defense of human rights and the repressed Palestinians and once again to declare their regret over the massacres and acts of violence committed in the occupied Palestinian territories against the unarmed Palestinian people.

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