Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki Monday reiterated Iran's support for a nuclear-free zone in the Middle East as called for by the United Nations General Assembly in a resolution back in 1974.
"Over recent years, Iran has proudly promoted a historic idea: a 'Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction'. What clearer illustration could there be of our peaceful aspirations for the region," Mottaki said.
"Attempts to besmirch Iran's reputation are absurd - Iran's destiny cannot be considered in isolation from the collective destiny of the international community. The two are inextricable," he said.
In an article published in the Guardian newspaper, the Iranian foreign minister slated western military and intelligence for fomenting "an instability with consequences beyond the region" by supporting a myriad of aggressions over the past half century.
"The democratic rhetoric of the West counts for nothing when foreign policy is dictated by self-interest, as witnessed by its brazen disregard of the outcomes of democratic elections in Algeria and Palestine," he said.
"Attempts to demonise Iran are exposed as hollow when you consider that the accusers are those responsible for the outrages of Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay, Mottaki said.
In contrast, he clarified Iran's genuine needs to develop its own nuclear energy program, saying that the country has "no economic backbone without energy security and diversity."
"From Delhi to Istanbul, instability and crisis cuts a swath across the continent. There is no point on that map that can more effectively address the region's plight," the foreign minister said about Iran's strategic position.
The plight in the whole region, he suggested, was "created by the failure of western powers to accept their international responsibilities."
"In Iran we are trying to defend our independence, to meet the needs of our young, to advance society, and to steer the ship of the Middle East in these turbulent waters to calm shores," Mottaki said.
Iran's case has also been underlined in the closing weeks of 2007, by reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the US National Intelligence Estimate, making clear Iran's nuclear activities have nothing to do with military programs.
The motivation is a desire to preserve peaceful nuclear knowledge and capability for future generations, which the foreign minister said was "knowledge and capability, with 'security and stability' (that) can propel Iran on the path of progress."
Confrontation and threats need to go "beyond setting 'preconditions' for negotiations with Iran, and try to present constructive proposals, he said.
"We cannot tolerate the biased and discriminatory attitude we encounter. All members of the international community should be made to adhere to the non-proliferation treaty, not simply a selected few," Mottaki said. --IRNA
