Contributed by: filbert Wednesday, September 20 2006 @ 08:11 AM CST
“In the Name of the God of Mercy, Compassion, Peace, Freedom and Justice
“Mr. President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
“Today we have gathered here to exchange views about the world, itsfuture and our common responsibilities towards it. It is evident thatthe future of the world is intertwined with its current state and theprevailing trends, which exhibit signs of hope and despair.
“On the one hand certain hopes and opportunities exist, and thisaugust Assembly is convened on such hopes. Today human thought reflectsoutstanding commonalities which provide appropriate grounds to buildupon. With the passing of the era of agnostic philosophies, todayhumanity is once again joined in celebrating monotheism and belief inthe Creator as the originator of existence. This is the common threadwhich binds us all.
“Faith will prove to be the solution to many of today’s problems.
The Truth will shine the light of faith and ethics on the life ofhuman beings and prevent them from aggression, coercion and injusticeand will guide them towards care and compassion for fellow beings.
“Another hope is the common global appreciation of the sources ofknowledge. Although reason, experience and science are among valuablesources of knowledge, the darkness of the Middle Ages deprived majorportions of the Western world of appreciating. This reactionarytendency deprived many of access to various scientific findings andknowledge and led to the exclusion of other sources of knowledge namelyGod and knowledge based on revelation from the life of human beings inthe West; Divine knowledge that was carried and disseminated by suchprophets as Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Mohammad (peace be uponthem).
“Today, agnostic thinking is on the decline and presently humanityis equally enamored with religion knowledge and spirituality. This isan auspicious beginning. Divine prophets teach us about proper regardfor the exalted state of human beings on earth.
“The human being is blessed with dignity, most importantlymanifested in being the viceroy of the Almighty on earth. The Almightyplaced humans on earth to develop it, institutionalize justice,overcome their egoistic tendencies and praise no lord but the Almighty.
“Faith and good deeds can bring deliverance and the good life evenin this world. Attaining this depends on human will, that is the willof each and every one of us. We must heed the call of our commonprimordial nature and achieve the realization of this good life.
“On the other hand, the prevalence of military domination,increasing poverty, the growing gap between rich and poor countries,violence as a means to solve crises, spread of terrorism, speciallystate terrorism, existence and proliferation of weapons of massdestruction, the pervasive lack of honesty in interstate relations, anddisregard for the equal rights of peoples and nations in internationalrelations constitute some of the challenges and threats.
“Although these challenges are very real, we believe we are notpredestined to experience them. Our common will not only can changethis course but in fact can lead us to a life filled with hope andprosperity. Divine revelation teaches us that “The Almighty changes thefate of no people unless they themselves show a will for change” (HolyQuran, 13:11).
“How can we influence the future of the world? When and how willpeace, tranquility and well-being for all come about? These are thefundamental questions before us.
“We believe that a sustainable order, nurturing and flourishingpeace and tranquility, can only be realized on the two pillars ofjustice and spirituality. The more human society departs from justiceand spirituality, the greater insecurity it will face, so much so thata relatively small crisis, such as a natural disaster, leads to variousabnormalities and inhuman behavior.
“Unfortunately, the world is rife with discrimination and poverty.
Discrimination produces hatred, war and terrorism. They all sharethe common root of lack of spirituality coupled with injustice. Justiceis about equal rights, the correct distribution of resources in theterritories of different states, the equality of all before the law andrespect for international agreements.
“Justice recognizes the right of every one to tranquility, peace anda dignified life. Justice rejects intimidation and double standards. Asthe eminent daughter of the Prophet of Islam has said, “justice bringstranquility and harmony to our hearts.”
“Today, the world is longing for the establishment of such justice. Ifhumanity heeds the call of its primordial nature with firm resolve,justice will emerge. This is what the Almighty has promised and allpeople of good will from all religions are waiting for. If theprevailing discourse of global relations becomes one of justice andspirituality, then durable peace will be guaranteed.“Conversely, if international relations are defined without justiceand spirituality and void of moral considerations, then the mechanismsfor promoting confidence and peace will remain insufficient andineffective.
“If some, relying on their superior military and economic might,attempt to expand their rights and privileges, they will be performinga great disservice to the cause of peace and in fact will fuel the armsrace and spread insecurity, fear and deception. If global trendscontinue to serve the interests of small influential groups, even theinterests of the citizens of powerful countries will be jeopardized, aswas seen in the recent crises and the even natural disaster such as therecent tragic hurricane.
“Today, my nation calls on other nations and governments to “moveforward to a durable tranquility and peace based on justice andspirituality.”
“Mr. President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
“The Islamic Republic of Iran is born out of a movement, based on thepure primordial nature of a people who rose up to regain their dignityesteem and human rights. The Islamic Revolution toppled a regime, whichhad been put in place through a coup, and supported by those who claimto be advocates of democracy and human rights, thwarted the aspirationsof the nation for development and progress for 25 years throughintimidation and torture of the populace and submission andsubservience to outsiders.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran is the manifestation of true democracyin the region. The discourse of the Iranian nation is focused onrespect for the rights of human beings and a quest for tranquillity,peace, justice and development for all through monotheism.
“For 8 years, Saddam’s regime imposed a massive war of aggressionand occupation on my people. It employed the most heinous weapons ofmass destruction, including chemical weapons against Iranians andIraqis alike. Who, in fact, armed Saddam with these weapons? What wasthe reaction of those who now claim to fight against WMDs regarding theuse of chemical weapons back then? The world is witness to the factthat the Islamic Republic of Iran, because of its humanitarianprinciples, even during the most testing of times and when it wassustaining the highest number of casualties, never allowed itself touse such weapons.
“Thousands of nuclear warheads that are stockpiled in variouslocations coupled with programs to further develop these inhumanweapons have created a new atmosphere of repression and the rule of themachines of war, threatening the international community and even thecitizens of the countries that possess them.
“Ironically, those who have actually used nuclear weapons, continueto produce, stockpile and extensively test such weapons, have useddepleted uranium bombs and bullets against tens and perhaps hundreds ofthousands of Iraqis, Kuwaitis, and even their own soldiers and those oftheir allies, afflicting them with incurable diseases, blatantlyviolate their obligations under the NPT, have refrained from signingthe CTBT and have armed the Zionist occupation regime with WMDs, arenot only refusing to remedy their past deeds, but in clear breech ofthe NPT, are trying to prevent other countries from acquiring thetechnology to produce peaceful nuclear energy.
“All these problems emanate from the fact that justice andspirituality are missing in the way powerful governments conduct theiraffairs with other nations.
“After September 11, a particular radical group was accused ofterrorist activities — although it was never explained how such hugeintelligence gathering and security organizations failed to preventsuch an extensive and well planned operation.
“Why powers that, not so long ago, were supporting the activities ofsuch groups in Afghanistan and thus portraying themselves as supportersof human rights and the Afghan people have over night turned into theirmost fierce critic?
“Are we to believe that their benefactors ,i.e. the very same hegemonic powers have lost control?
“If the answer is yes, would it not be better for those powers to adoptan honest and transparent approach to the international community,provide precise information about the main elements and their arms andfinancial support system, and accept responsibility for their inhumanactions against nations and countries, and thereby assist peoples andnations to correctly, wisely and sincerely fight the roots ofterrorism.“We must endeavor to achieve sustainable tranquility and peace based on justice and spirituality.
“Mr. President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
“Terrorism and WMDs are two major threats before the internationalcommunity. The Islamic Republic of Iran, as one of the main victims ofterrorism and chemical weapons, fully appreciates the difficulties thatlie ahead in the road to combat these menaces.
“Today, the most serious challenge is that the culprits arearrogating to themselves the role of the prosecutor. Even moredangerous is that certain parties relying on their power and wealth tryto impose a climate of intimidation and injustice over the world makebullying, while through their huge media resources portray themselvesas defenders of freedom, democracy and human rights.
“People around the world are fully aware of what is happening in theoccupied Palestine. Women and children are being murdered andadolescents taken prisoner. Houses are being demolished and farms burntdown. Yet, when the people of Palestine resist these conditions, theyare accused of terrorism. At the same time, the occupier, which doesnot abide by any principles and terror is part of its pronounced androutine policy enjoys the support of the previously mentionedgovernments. Let me be blunter. State terrorism is being supported bythose who claim to fight terrorism.
“How can one talk about human rights and at the same time blatantlydeny many the inalienable right to have access to science andtechnology with applications in medicine, industry and energy andthrough force and intimidation hinder their progress and development?”Can nations be deprived of scientific and technological progressthrough the threat of use of force and based on mere allegations ofpossibility of military diversion? We believe that all countries andnations are entitled to technological and scientific advancement in allfields, particularly the peaceful technology to produce nuclear fuel.Such access cannot be restricted to a few, depriving most nations andby establishing economic monopolies, use them as an instrument toexpand their domination.
“We have gathered here to defend human rights in accordance withCharter of UN and prevent certain powers from claiming that “somecountries have more rights “or that” some countries do not have theright to enjoy their legitimate rights”.
“We must not, at the beginning of the 21st century, revert to thelogic of the dark ages and once again try to deny societies access toscientific and technological advances.
“Mr. President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
“The UN must be the symbol of democracy and the equal rights ofnations. If we talk about the equal rights of nations in politicalforums, we must talk of the same concept in this forum as well.
“Similarly, if we talk about the right of sovereignty, then allnations must be allowed to exercise their rights on an equal footingand in a democratic process.
“The UN can be the standard bearer of democracy in the world, whenit, itself, is a manifestation of democratic process. I reiterate thatdurable tranquility and peace can only be built on justice andspirituality.
“Mr. President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
“The Islamic Republic of Iran is a symbol of true democracy. Allofficials including the Leader, President, members of the IslamicConsultative Assembly, city and village councils are elected throughthe vote of the citizens. The Islamic Republic of Iran has held 27national elections in 27 years. This showcases a vibrant and dynamicsociety in which people widely participate in the political life.
“Because of its key importance and influence in the important andstrategic Middle East region, the Islamic Republic of Iran is committedto contribute actively to the promotion of peace and stability in theregion.
“Saddam, Taliban regimes were both the products of foreign powers.
The people of Afghanistan and Iraq know very well who supported these two regimes.
“Today, to establish peace and security in the region, foreignoccupation forces must leave and completely hand over the political andeconomic sovereignty of these two countries to their peoples. “TheIslamic Republic of Iran will continue to provide full andcomprehensive support to the people of Iraq and Afghanistan and theirelected governments, and will actively help them in the establishmentof order and security. My country will continue and expand its sincerecooperation and interaction with them.
“In Palestine, a durable peace will be possible through justice, anend to discrimination and the occupation of Palestinian land, thereturn of all Palestinian refugees, and the establishment of ademocratic Palestinian state with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
“Mr. President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
“Today, more than ever, nations need constructive, positive and honestcooperation and interaction in order to enjoy a dignified, tranquil andpeaceful life based on justice and spirituality. Let us enter into acollective covenant to realize this legitimate aspiration of ournations.
“Here, I would like to briefly talk about the approach and initiative of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the nuclear issue.
Nuclear weapons and their proliferation, and attempts to impose anapartheid regime on access to peaceful nuclear energy, are two majorthreats, challenging international tranquility and peace.
“Keeping in mind that in past years no serious efforts complimentedby practical mechanisms — have been made to move towards fulldisarmament and more specifically implement the decisions and outcomesof the NPT Review Conferences of 1995 and 2000, I suggest that theGeneral Assembly, as the most inclusive UN organ, mandate an ad-hoccommittee to compile and submit a comprehensive report on possiblepractical mechanisms and strategies for complete disarmament.
“This Committee should also be asked to investigate as to howcontrary to the NPT — material, technology and equipment for nuclearweapons were transferred to the Zionist regime, and to proposepractical measures for the establishment of a nuclear-weapons-free zonein the Middle East.
“Some powerful states practice a discriminatory approach againstaccess of NPT members to material, equipment, and peaceful nucleartechnology, and by doing so, intend to impose a nuclear apartheid.
“We are concerned that once certain powerful states completelycontrol nuclear energy resources and technology, they will deny accessto and thus deepen the divide between powerful countries and the restof the international community. When that happens, we will be dividedinto light and dark countries.
“Regrettably, in the past 30 years, no effective measure has beenimplemented to facilitate the exercise of the legally recognized rightof NPT state-parties to have access to and use peaceful nuclear energyin accordance with article IV. Therefore, the General Assembly shouldask the IAEA in accordance with article 2 of its Statute to report onviolations by specific countries that have hindered the implementationof the above article and also produce practical strategies for itsrenewed implementation.
“What needs our particular attention is the fact that peaceful useof nuclear energy without possession of nuclear fuel cycle is an emptyproposition. Nuclear power plants can indeed lead to total dependenceof countries and peoples if they need to rely for their fuel oncoercive powers, who do not refrain from any measure in furtherance oftheir interests. No popularly elected and responsible government canconsider such a situation in the interest of its people. The history ofdependence on oil in oil rich countries under domination is anexperiment that no independent country is willing to repeat.
“Those hegemonic powers, who consider scientific and technologicalprogress of independent and free nations as a challenge to theirmonopoly on these important instruments of power and who do not want tosee such achievements in other countries, have misrepresented Iran’shealthy and fully safeguarded technological endeavors in the nuclearfield as pursuit of nuclear weapons. This is nothing but a propagandaploy. The Islamic Republic of Iran is presenting in good faith itsproposal for constructive interaction and a just dialogue.
“However, if some try to impose their will on the Iranian peoplethrough resort to a language of force and threat with Iran, we willreconsider our entire approach to the nuclear issue.
“Allow me, as the elected President of the Iranian people, tooutline the other main elements of my country’s initiative regardingthe nuclear issue:
“1. The Islamic Republic of Iran reiterates its previously andrepeatedly declared position that in accordance with our religiousprinciples, pursuit of nuclear weapons is prohibited.
“2. The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that it is necessary torevitalize the NPT and create the above-mentioned ad-hoc committee sothat it can combat nuclear weapons and abolish the apartheid inpeaceful nuclear technology.
“3. Technically, the fuel cycle of the Islamic Republic of Iran isnot different from that of other countries which have peaceful nucleartechnology.
“Therefore, as a further confidence building measure and in order toprovide the greatest degree of transparency, the Islamic Republic ofIran is prepared to engage in serious partnership with private andpublic sectors of other countries in the implementation of uraniumenrichment program in Iran. This represents the most far reaching step,outside all requirements of the NPT, being proposed by Iran as afurther confidence building measure.
“4. In keeping with Iran’s inalienable right to have access to anuclear fuel cycle, continued interaction and technical and legalcooperation with the IAEA will be the centerpiece of our nuclearpolicy.
“Initiation and continuation of negotiations with other countrieswill be carried out in the context of Iran’s interaction with theAgency.
“With this in mind, I have directed the relevant Iranian officialsto compile the legal and technical details of Iran’s nuclear approach,based on the following considerations:
“4.1. International precedence tells us that nuclear fuel- deliverycontracts are unreliable and no legally binding international documentor instrument exists to guarantee the delivery of nuclear fuel.“On many occasions such bilateral contracts stopped altogether forpolitical reasons. Therefore, the Islamic Republic of Iran, in itspursuit of peaceful nuclear technology, considers it within itslegitimate rights to receive objective guarantees for uraniumenrichment in the nuclear fuel cycle.
“4.2. In its negotiations with the EU3 ,Iran has tried in earnest toprove the solid and rightful foundations of its nuclear activity in thecontext of the NPT, and to establish mutual trust. The selection of ournegotiating partners and the continuation of negotiations with the EU3will be commensurate with the requirements of our cooperation with theAgency regarding non-diversion of the process of uranium enrichment tonon-peaceful purposes in the framework of the provisions of the NPT. Inthis context, several proposals have been presented which can beconsidered in the context of negotiations. The Islamic Republic of Iranappreciates the positive contribution of South Africa and H.E.President Mbeki personally in the resolution of the nuclear issue andcognizant of South Africa’s active role in the IAEA Board of Governorswould welcome its active participation in the negotiations.
“4.3. The discriminatory approaches regarding the NPT that focuseson the obligations of state-parties and disregards their rights underthe Treaty should be discontinued.
“As the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, I assure you thatmy country will use everything in its power to contribute to globaltranquility and peace based on the two maxims of spirituality andjustice as well as the equal rights of all peoples and nations.
My country will interact and cooperate constructively with the international community to face the challenges before us.
“Dear Friends and Colleagues,
“From the beginning of time, humanity has longed for the day whenjustice, peace, equality and compassion envelop the world. All of uscan contribute to the establishment of such a world. When that daycomes, the ultimate promise of all Divine religions will be fulfilledwith the emergence of a perfect human being who is heir to all prophetsand pious men. He will lead the world to justice and absolute peace.“O mighty Lord, I pray to you to hasten the emergence of your lastrepository, the promised one, that perfect and pure human being, theone that will fill this world with justice and peace.