Kharrazi Says Europeans' Human Rights Report Biased

Iran News Daily:

TEHRAN -- Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi characterized here Saturday the reports on human rights in Iran issued by European as "irrelevant," IRNA reported.

Because these reports are prepared for political and publicity objectives they are devoid of any value, Kharrazi said when asked about a British report on Human rights in Iran.

In his farewell he held a press conference with domestic and foreign reporters. "Islam-bashing is on the rise in European states and attacks on mosques are a token of human right violations in Europe which should be paid attention to".

Iran plans to write up a report on human right situation in other nations, including European countries, which will be prepared, evaluated and released to the world community in the future, he said.

"The assistance rendered to Saddam Hossein during Iran-Iraq war is among the human rights violations by the Western countries and those who have carried out such policies should be tried and condemned." On a question on Iran-Turkey relations and the reasons for cancellation of President Mohammad Khatami trip to the country and the likelihood of president-elect Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visiting Turkey he said "Iran's policy is one of detente and peaceful coexistence with is neighbors which I expect to continue in the future."

The reason for the Khatami in trip not going through is that the visit's preliminaries were not prepared. "I hope the visit will take place by president-elect Ahmadinejad which will boost the bilateral relations."

On the outcome of Iran-Europe nuclear negotiations, he added "during the talks ambiguities were clarified, and we met the challenges when our nuclear-related program were not fully scraped and we carried out with our activities."

"We have abided to a temporary and voluntarily suspension of uranium enrichment and are awaiting the proposals to be put for by the Europeans by the end of July," Kharrazi said.

"If the European proposals ignore Iran's right to have access to peaceful nuclear technology we will reject it and decide on another course of action," Kharrazi underlined.

"We have always stressed continuation of negotiations and however if the proposals put forth does not satisfy us then we will proceed with activities in Isfahan."

On his plans for the future, he added "I am professor at Tehran University and after I have left my post I will in teaching at the university's Psychology and Education Affairs department." He also vowed to provide experiences garnered during his stint at the helm of the Foreign Ministry to the future government. "I will be at the service of the people of Iran."

He further thanked those who have tarnished the Foreign Ministry's image, "although the such acts do no corresponds to realities." He also thanked reporters on their coverage of stories during the past years and wished that their experiences will be put to work for betterment of international image of Iran.

Kharrazi said his most satisfactory moment was when Saddam Hossein was identified by the UN as the aggressor in the Iran-Iraq war which he said "was the outcome a strenuous diplomatic efforts."

At the conclusion of the press conference Kharrazi and Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi were given a plaque of appreciation by the reporters for their exemplary work in the past eight years in the government.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi here Saturday recommended Europeans not to use the language of threat against Iran as it would be of no use, but instead try to take the initiative of cooperation with the country.

Asefi made the remarks in response to recent comments attributed to French President Jacques Chirac by an Israeli newspaper.

The paper had quoted Chirac warning Tehran that EU would refer Iran's nuclear case to the UN Security Council.

Speaking to domestic and foreign reporters at his weekly press conference, Asefi doubted the accuracy of the comments attributed to the French president as "they were reflected by an Israeli newspaper." "I'm not sure about the accuracy of Chirac's interview as it was reflected by an Israeli newspaper," Asefi said adding, "However, I recommend the Europeans not to use the language of threat against Iran as it would be of no use."

The spokesman also suggested that finding a way to cooperate with Iran was the best way to deal with the country.

Referring to Iran-EU talks in London last Wednesday, Asefi said that the talks were "unofficial but clear and transparent" at the same time.

He noted that a message by Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Hassan Rowhani was conveyed to the three European ministers.

Asefi said that Rowhani explicitly pointed in his message to what would be the consequences and message of any prolongation of Iran-EU negotiations for the region and for the negotiating parties.

"It was clearly explained that what could be the consequences of any delay in the process of talks and what are the minimum expectations required by Tehran in order to avoid any challenges in its process," Asefi said.

Noting that Tehran has not yet received the EU's "detailed proposals," on its nuclear case which were supposed to be handed over to Iran either by the end of July or the beginning of August, the spokesman stressed that Iran would accept EU proposals just in case they included all Tehran's minimum expectations.