Iran denounces Turkish-Israeli alliance
Iran-Regional, Politics, 10/8/1998

Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi denounced the military alliance between Turkey and Israel, saying, "We in Iran condemn this alliance as it constitutes a threat to the security of the region and serves Israel's expansionist and aggressive policy."

In a press conference he held on Wednesday in Tehran, Kharazi added that Israel constitutes a potential danger against the countries of the region. On this ground, "Such a pact is condemned by us as has been condemned by all Islamic and Arab countries. We interpret the pact as a threat and a means intended to expedite expansionist policy of Israel."

The Iranian FM added that the standing disputes between Syria and Turkey do not require the mobilization of military forces or conducting maneuvers or launching threats by Turkey.

He said that being the chairperson of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Iran will spare no efforts to deal with the current crisis between Syria and Turkey by peaceful means. "We are confident that Syria and Turkey, with their ancient civilization, can deal with the standing crisis through dialogue."

The Iranian FM continued, "We have taken practical measures to deal with this problem. We contacted the Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa and with Ismael Cem, the Turkish foreign minister."

He added that Iran asserted to the two ministers its interest, as the current head of the OIC, and readiness to help the two countries eliminate this problem. He noted that Iranian contacts with the two countries are continuous.

Concerning Israeli threats against Iran, Kharazi said that if Israel tries to "threaten our interests, we will respond strongly. The Israelis know well how our reply will be."

Kharazi stressed that Iran will not get into a race with others to own nuclear weapons. "Iran calls for freeing the region from weapons of mass destruction," he said.

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