Thursday, September 25, 2014

Terrorism, Extremism Threatening Entire World: Rouhani

Thu Sep 25, 2014 2:14PM GMT
presstv.ir

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani says extremism and violence are threatening the entire Middle East, especially Iran's neighbors, as a result of extremist measures taken by foreign terrorists.

Addressing the 69th annual session of the United Nations Assembly in New York on Thursday, Rouhani said extremism is a global phenomenon which has been fostered by certain countries which are now unable to fight it.

Noting that extremism and terrorism have turned into a global phenomena, Rouhani said, “All countries that have played a role in creating these terrorist organizations, should own up to their mistake and apologize,” not only to the past, but also to future generation.

According to Rouhani, wrong policies adopted by some Western states have turned the Middle East as well as Central Asia and Caucasus into a “paradise for terrorists.”

Rouhani further stated that the most painful point about current terrorism is that terrorists are beheading people and killing innocent civilians under the name of religion while all divine religions are essentially against violence and extremism.

This is a strategic mistake if some countries are trying to consolidate their domination over the Middle East region under the pretext of fighting terrorism because regional countries can fight terrorism in the region on their own, Rouhani said.

“If other countries really want to fight terrorism, they should help regional countries in their effort to do this,” Rouhani added.

He also advised regional countries to note that all of them are in the same boat and need coordination and cooperation to fight regional issues.

Referring to Iran's nuclear issue, the Iranian president said Iran's nuclear case has no other solution but negotiation and “if there are parties that imagine other solutions to this issue,” they are greatly mistaken.

He noted that negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries have fared successfully in past months and will hopefully reach a comprehensive agreement within the deadline set for this purpose.

“Reaching a comprehensive nuclear deal with Iran is a historic opportunity for the West to prove it is not against the progress and development of other [states],” said Rouhani, adding that a final agreement could convey a “message of peace” to the world.

“A final deal on Iran’s peaceful nuclear program could be the beginning of collective cooperation aimed at the promotion of security, peace and development in the region and the world,” said the Iranian president.

Rouhani further stated that the Islamic Republic has abided by its commitments, though the other parties have sometimes taken steps in the opposite direction.

Rouhani said Iran is determined to continue its nuclear energy program according to international regulations and is committed to negotiation with other countries in this regard under the condition of mutual respect and in accordance with international regulations.


Iran’s Rouhani blames ‘certain intelligence agencies’ for rise of global extremism

September 25, 2014 14:38
Rt.com

The rise of violent extremism around the world is the fault of “certain states” and “intelligence agencies” that have helped to create it and are failing to withstand it, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said in an address to the UN General Assembly.

Speaking at the 69th session of the UN General Assembly on Thursday, Rouhani stressed that extremism is not a regional but a global issue, and called on states worldwide to unite against the extremists.

“Certain states have helped to create it, and are now failing to withstand it. Currently our peoples are paying the price," he said. "Certain intelligence agencies have put blades in the hand of the madmen, who now spare no one.”

Rouhani also said the current anti-Western sentiment in certain parts of the world was "the offspring of yesterday's colonialism. Today's anti-Westernism is a reaction to yesterday's racism.”

The Iranian president urged “all those who have played a role in founding and supporting these terror groups” to acknowledge their mistake.

Rouhani also blamed “strategic blunders of the West in the Middle East, Central Asia and the Caucasus” for inciting violence in these regions and creating a “haven for terrorists and extremists.”

"Military aggression against Afghanistan and Iraq and improper interference in the developments in Syria are clear examples of this erroneous strategic approach in the Middle East."

Warning that “if the right approach is not undertaken in dealing with the issue at hand” the Middle East risks turning into “a turbulent and tumultuous region with repercussions for the whole world.”

"The rightsolution to this quandary comes from within the region and regionally provided solution with international support and not from the outside the region," he said.

Speaking of Iran’s nuclear program, Rouhani vowed that Tehran would continue negotiations to cement the deal with Western states.

“No one should doubt that compromise and agreement on this issue is in the best interest of everyone, especially that of the nations of the region,” he said. “According to all international observers, the Islamic Republic of Iran has carried out its commitments in good faith.”

Rouhani, who was elected in Iran’s presidential election last year despite being opposed by many in the country’s senior clergy, said that democracy cannot be exported to another country as it is a product of development, “not war and aggression.”

“Democracy is not an export product that can be commercially imported from the West to the East. In an underdeveloped society, imported democracy leads only to a weak and vulnerable government,” he told the assembly.

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