Leader sends message to UN summit of religious, spiritual leaders  (30.8.2000)

United Nations New York, Aug 30, IRNA -- The Supreme Leader of the Islamic revolution, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, sent a message to the UN-sponsored summit of religious and spiritual leaders of the world, entitled "world peace in third millennium". Full text of the Leader's message, read out by Gholamali Haddad Adel at the summit, is as follows:

In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Praise to God, Lord of the Worlds. May God's peace be upon all his prophets and messengers, and among them especially upon the seal of prophets, Mohammad and upon blessed next of kin. May blessing be upon God's remaining trustee on Earth. I greatly esteem this assembly of the representatives of world religions. May God, the Exalted, facilitate the keeping of our word in practice, and may He enable us all to perpetually strive in bringing Divine religion to mankind.
Religious leaders today consider themselves as stewards and followers of Divine messengers, and attempt to continue in the same path. It is crucial therefore to ascertain what ultimate purpose various religions have sought, and to inquire what divine message the messengers endeavored to convey. The answer to this question should shed light upon the course of mission of all those bearing the torch of religiosity in our day and age. Every religion clearly regards human salvation, deliverance and emancipation as its ultimate objective, and proper to temporal capacities and specific dispositions presents its people with a plan of action. In conveying their message and realizing their objective, various religions have often had to confront arduous and abiding difficulties and in doing so they have bequeathed human memory with remarkable examples of selfless devotion to faith. Such divinely oriented struggles for the salvation of the people have often had to confront the wants, captives, and the ignorance fueled by the capricious. World history as well as religious holy books are replete with many an account of such struggles and veneration of those who gallantly persisted in the right path. Divine religion does not confine human salvation to any particular or chosen people, or to any limited time and place. It neither imposes salvation upon the people, nor restricts it to mere spheres of human life. Indeed, Divine messengers have addressed all people, of all times and places, in each and every aspect of personal and social livelihood. Through summoning faith and nurturing reason and promoting action in human beings, divine prophets bring the gift of guidance to humanity and show humankind the Straight Path to goodness and salvation. Human suffering experiences in recent centuries, especially in the twentieth century, clearly demonstrates that the advancement of science in and of itself does not suffice for human happiness and falls short of yielding peace. Science could only prove beneficial if it were to be complemented with love, inspiration and faith, and these missing values ought to be sought in religion. It would only be inappropriate to envisage the prophetic mission of bringing private spiritual relationship with God, thereby excluding from it the vast domains of the human individual's relationship with other individuals, with human society at large, with the natural environment, and the human obligations in establishing social and political systems.
We regard all Divine prophets as assaying this luminous path, and we cherish in faith and love all Godly messengers:
" We make no distinction between one and other of his messengers"
( Part of 2: 285, Holy Qoran.)
Divine religions regard this world as a place where human beings grow and face examination. For Divine religions the path to spiritual human growth, lies solely in establishing a just world and avoiding consequence of transgression, selfishness, and narrow-mindedness of tyrants as well as the ignorance and passivity of the shortsighted. This is the world that they have endeavored to establish. Negligence and abandonment of forces and laws embedded in nature for human growth is to be repudiated just as vigorously as any tyrannical and corruptive undertakings. The establishment of peace and justice with respect to God, his or her own souls, and with other fellow human beings. In this encompassing sense, peace is in utmost demand on the course towards ascendancy and salvation. As such, peace ought to stem from faith and wisdom. The Prophets all sought to give reality to this very idea. Silent acquiescence, enforced in parts of the world through intimidation and deceit by agents of arrogance and affluence, utterly contradicts true peace as advocated by the harbingers of human salvation. Peace can only rest on the ground of justice, with full recognition of human dignity and far from tyrants of the worlds. A silence and submission imposed on a people determined to defend its neglected rights is not the peace called by messengers of true heavenly peace. In order to attain their domineering ends, progressive tyrants consumed by their extravagant desires have often attempted to manipulate and to exploit religion and men of religion. No divine religion has ever condoned this grave intrigue. Indeed, many wars apparently fought in the name of religion have often been rooted in such machinations. Religion never cowers to tyranny, yet it regards within itself the political realm of administering human social affairs, and as a political system based upon love and faith of the people, it combats tyranny. Many oppressive tyrants and power-drunk politicians deter religion from entering the realm of politics, and they draw an impenetrable boundary that separates the two realms. The irony is that they themselves never respect any such boundary in practice, and constantly transgress their self-defined limit in order to exploit religion. The world today is faced with moral decay and corruption. Religion can effectively resolve this crisis and provide a way out of the impasse. The precondition, however, is that it should be incorporated pervasively in every aspect of society in order to provide a purifying factor to counter-balance merely economic interests which often exacerbate moral corruption. Today the establishment of the religion-based political system in Islamic Iran provides the world with an exemplary case. The greatest challenge for this Islamic republic has been to remove difficulties posed against it by the world's tyrannical powers, Such as oppression, malice and ever-increasing demands. Dear friends and participants, should religious leaders truly adhere to being stewards of prophets, then the luminous path of those messengers for human salvation and happiness lies ahead of them. It is a demanding path replete with impediments. yet, it brings joy and contentment for those who choose to follow it and it eventually leads to attaining God's beatitude. For
" God will certainly aid those who aid His (cause)- for verily God is full of strength."
( Part of 21:40. Holy Qoran.)
Praise to God, Lord of the worlds.
Seyyed Ali Khamenei
:irna 30/08/2000 23:50

Supreme Leader stresses need for peace based on justice (30.8.2000)

Tehran, Aug 30, IRNA -- In a message addressed to participants of the UN-sponsored `World Peace in the Third Millennium' Conference in New York Tuesday, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei elaborated on the cause the holy prophets of old stood for, and underscored the need for a world peace that is based on justice and free from the evil intentions of power seekers. Ayatollah Khamenei, in his message, said that religious leaders of the world have taken the place of such prophets and should therefore pursue the same objectives the prophets had pursued in their divine mandate of guiding the people of their faith. "All divine religions sought to lead people to salvation...the prophets undoubtedly worked for the same cause and even made ultimate sacrifices in the furtherance of such cause," read part of the Leader's message. The Supreme Leader noted that corruption is a major challenge facing divine religions, and that they could overcome it by making themselves more active in all areas of society and by purging themselves of the evil motives that corrupt its practice such as material greed. Elsewhere in his message, Ayatollah Khamenei underscored the need for peace which is indispensable to the pursuit of living, saying it should be the kind that is grounded in faith and based on justice. "This peace is different from that which gives rise to a silent and obedient society through the use of force and intimidation on its members...silencing and coercing into obedience all those who try to enforce their legitimate rights which is not what the prophets stood for," read part of the letter. The Supreme Leader pointed out that since time immemorial there have always been people who misused religion to expand their spheres of power and fortune, recalling the religious wars that had been fought to serve evil, expansionist motives. But religion, continued the message, is not a vehicle for such political ambitions; on the contrary, it opposes them as a unique political system that is based on faith. "World power seekers preach that religion is separate from politics, but they themselves occasionally overstep the border to misuse religion for their own ends," said the Leader in the message read by Ayatollah Abdollah Javadi Amoli. In conclusion, Ayatollah Khamenei said that Iran was a successful example of a political system anchored on religious teachings, but is faced with the major challenge of power seekers trying to block its development. The four-day conference, which started on Monday, August 28, has brought together over 1,200 religious leaders from 50 countries.
:irna 30/08/2000 11:31

Leader: Islamic Republic has become powerful in every respect (30.8.2000)

Tehran, Aug. 30, IRNA -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday the Islamic Republic has become powerful and glorious in every aspect of life thanks to the new ideas set forth by the Muslim thinkers. In a meeting with members of the Assembly of Experts, the Supreme Leader said the Islamic Republic of Iran is the only system capable of giving response to the actual needs of the Muslims and restoring their freedom and identity. "In the Islamic Republic, the votes, aspirations and sentiments of the people are of prime significance. The Islamic system could not have been founded without popular resolve," the Leader said. Ayatollah Khamenei said the establishment of religious government in Iran emanated from religious faith and sacrifices as well as their insistence on the right direction and the leadership of the Late Imam Khomeini.

The Supreme Leader said the world arrogance will never abandon conspiracies against the Islamic Republic that has stood against the corrupt and tyrannical capitalism. The Leader said the procedure adopted by world arrogance in its campaign against the Islamic Republic is cultural inroad, anti-Iran propaganda campaign and making use of hypocrites or heart-sick faithfuls. Ayatollah Khamenei said the enemy has focused its campaign on the Islamic identity of the Iranian government and Velayat-e--Faqih (Guardianship of Supreme Jurisprudence). Of course, those standing against the principle of Velayat-e-Faqih lack logic, the Leader said adding that these people would even accept a military government or the government of corrupt capitalists or that of the most corrupt people, but they stood against Velayat-e-Faqih. This is a point where the controversy emerges, the leader said. The Leader said, "God willing, the Islamic Republic of Iran will overcome all the hostilities. The Iranian people love Islam and the Islamic Republic and the Late Imam Khomeini and believe in Velayat-e-Faqih and if a scene like the sacred defence reappears, they will come to defend their religion." Ayatollah Khamenei called on the religious figures to observe piety and forge close relationship with the people especially with the young generation. The theological centers are expected to provide the youth with answers to their questions. Prior to the Leader's remarks, Speaker of the Assembly of Experts Ayatollah Ali Meshkini said members of the Assembly feel they are responsible for certain articles of the Constitution and are committed to their obligations before God almighty and the people. Vice-Speaker of Assembly of Experts Ayatollah Amini said the Assembly in its three-day meeting studied the current developments and suggested ways of dealing with major issues. Ayatollah Amini said the enemies are working to portray the Islamic Republic as an inefficient way of governance. The Vice-Speaker of the Assembly of Experts expressed concern about the cultural situation prevailing in the country.
:irna 30/08/2000 16:28

Leader Says All Religions Seek Man's Salvation, Prosperity (30.8.2000)

Tehran Times, August 30, 2000, By Our Staff Writer

TEHRAN, I consider the assembly of the representatives of world major religions a worthwhile measure and beseech the Almighty God to enable man to continuously utilize the divine religions, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said in a message to the UN-sponsored summit titled "World Peace in the Third Millennium" which was inaugurated in New York yesterday. Without any doubt all the religions seek man's salvation, welfare, and prosperity and all have introduced their programs in accordance to time, space and the capacity of their addressees. In order to materialize their goals and impart their messages, they have endured hardships and long struggles and left behind distinguished examples of devotion in the way of belief. The divine religions do not want salvation for a particular people and particular time or a particular region and do not impose them on the people. But all peoples in all places and all times are the addressees of the prophets of God. The progresses of the recent centuries, particularly the twentieth century, proved that scientific progress alone cannot take man to salvation and bring them peace and redemption as a gift. Science is useful for the human society only when it is accompanied with love, incentive and faith and these can be found in religions. It is not right to confine the plans of the messengers of salvation which they designed for man to individual action and his spiritual relation with God or deprive the great arena of man's relations with man, individual's relations with the society, and man's relations with the environment. From our point of view, all the prophets have trodden this path and there are no differences among them. Environmental health of the environment man's growth signifies that man should treat his God, his inner self, his fellow countrymen, and the mother nature surrounding him with peace. Peace in this general sense is one of the greatest needs of human beings for growth, elevation and salvation. This peace should emanate from faith and thought. Prophets have strived to materialize this fact. An environment of silence stemming from force, fear and deceit created by the power-wielders in parts of the world totally differs from the peace offered by the harbingers of salvation. Peace should be based on justice and understanding of human dignity and free from the grudges of the powerful poles in the world. Imposing silence and submission on the people who have risen to defend their denied rights is not what man was invited to by the messengers of heavenly peace. In the course of history, power-seekers who have thought of nothing but fulfillment of their insatiable desires have worked to exploit religion and religious dignitaries in the cause of their hegemonic intentions. No divinely religion has confirmed this big trick. Many of the apparently religious wars have been stained with such ill-intentions. Religion will not serve hegemonic policies, rather it considers the domain of politics and administration of the affairs of human societies to be part of its jurisdiction. Religion, as a political system, relies on love and faith of the people and fights these policies. Many of the masters of hegemony and power-thirsty politicians argue that religion should not interfere in the realm of politics and say that religion is separate from politics, although they themselves have never observed this demarcation and taken advantage of religion and exploited it. Today's world is confronted with the problem of moral corruption. Religions can provide solution to this problem provided that it can purify and regulate economic incentives that foment (give rise to) moral corruption. Today, the world is witness to the successful experience of the establishment of a political system based on religious teachings in Islamic Iran. The greatest task of the Islamic Republic is to thwart the problems imposed on it by the big powers of the world. They are not willing to see any hurdle in the way of their tyrannical acts and policies in this part of the world. Dear fiends and guests, if the leaders of divine religions accept that they have sat in place of prophets, the clear path of those harbingers of salvation and happiness for man is open before them. This is a strenuous path full of obstacles, but at the same time giving reality to the gratification of the wayfarer and eventually the satisfaction of God.

Supreme Leader praises government's efforts (29.8.2000)

Tehran, Aug 29, IRNA -- Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei extended here on Monday his gratitude to President Mohammad Khatami and his cabinet ministers for their efforts. In a meeting with the government officials, the Leader said,"The Government Week is a good opportunity for the people to better get acquainted with the efforts of a section of the Islamic system." It would also, he continued, reveal that what the enemies maintain in their propaganda to portray the Islamic system as inefficient and incapable are utterly lies. The Leader was speaking on the occasion of the Government Week (Aug 23-Aug 29) marking martyrdom anniversary of Mohammad Ali Rajaei and Mohammad Javad Bahonar, the president and prime minister of the country in 1980, in a terrorist bomb explosion at the prime minister's office.

Ayatollah Khamenei said,"The Islamic system has advanced in different periods under different governments and currently is going on its way through presenting such new ideas as Islamic democracy, a logical presence in various international scenes, standing firm against the brutal and inhumane systems and challenging the claims exposed by the political-propagandistic emperors in the world. He dismissed two opinions of "unfair criticism and unrealistic defense of the government performance" and added,"The Leader and the nation's attitude is a fair criticism and realistic defense of the government. But defending its performance does not imply ignoring several shortcomings and errors and it means endorsing the right direction for its activities and efforts."
:irna 29/08/2000 01:31

U.S. not competent to lead the world, Supreme Leader (15.8.2000)

Tehran, Aug. 15, IRNA -- Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei Tuesday lashed out at the United States, saying "the U.S. government lacks political, moral and ideological competence to lead the world through establishment of a uni-polar system." He noted that many European states and Americans themselves "accept this reality." In a meeting with Foreign Ministry officials, including Iranian ambassadors stationed abroad, the Leader said, "As regards universal issues, there is no common point between us and America. The studies conducted by the various agencies of the System and contemplation on the outcome of certain humiliating tendencies on the question of Palestine as well as the situation in some other countries, underlines the fact that dialogue and relations with the U.S. would solve no problem. The main objective of America in proposing dialogue is to prepare the ground for imposing its stances and materialize the wishes of the U.S. government." The leader said, "The Islamic system is facing threats posed as a result of the resistance of the Iranian nation against the imposition of Western culture and we will build up on this very resistance to add to the nation's power and dignity." He also extolled the great victories of the Lebanese Islamic resistance and the Palestinian Intifadha against the Zionist regime. "Revival of the Islamic identity of the Muslim nations demonstrates the impact of Iran's insistence on the Islamic principles." Ayatollah Khamenei described the religious faith as a tool to protect national security.

The Leader described religious democracy as the essence of the Islamic System, saying, "Suffrage is a single show nf democracy and a real democracy implies emergence of a political system from within." He noted that democracy in Hran is built up on the people's religious beliefs. Ayatollah Khamenei praised the Iranian people's deep faith as well as Iran's geographical position, national independence, active presence during the 1980-1988 Iraqi imposed war and a "very rich culture and civilization". He expressed the hope that these would help Hran become a regional and international power. Furthermore in his remarks, he pointed to diplomacy as an efficient tool of the System's power, saying, "The apparatus hn charge of foreign policy administers half of any political system and paves the way for national security and hnterests." He called on the Foreign Ministry officials and the ambassadors not to forget their commitment to the System in their talks with various states. The Leader cited the following as the priorities that must be placed on the agenda of the Foreign Ministry:
* Dfforts to highlight the role of Islam in the international community,
* Follow-up of the rights of the Islamic states to have ` permanent representative
  with the veto power at the U.N. Security Council,
* Coordination with Islamic states, * Expansion nf ties with Asian states,
* Discreet and vigilant promotion of relations with Europe,
* Full resistance against the Zionist regime and the T.S. policies in support
  of that regime,
* Elucidation of Iran's clear stances towards the Palestine issue.
Prior to the Leader's remarks, Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi presented a report nn the conference of Iranian diplomats stationed abroad. "The main pivot of the summit hangs over threats posed by the globalization process of different issues," Kharrazi said. "The state diplomacy establishment follows the ideals `nd goals of the Islamic Republic on the basis of honor, interest and wisdom."
:irna 16/08/2000 00:41

Leader appoints new army official (15.8.2000)

Tehran, August 15, IRNA -- In a decree issued Tuesday, the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei appointed Hojatoleslam Seyed Mahmoud Alavi the new head of the Politico-Ideological Department of the Army. Alavi is to replace Hojatoleslam Qouchani whose efforts in the position were appreciated by the Leader.
:irna 15/08/2000 23:46

Leader pays homage to martyrs (15.8.2000)

Tehran, Aug. 15, IRNA -- Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei paid homage on Tuesday to the martyrs of the 1980-1988 Iraqi-imposed war the nation held a high-profile funeral procession for on Monday. Iranians of different walks of life, including President Mohammad Khatami attended the protege for some 300 martyrs of the 8-year conflict, whose remains have been recently recovered. The mourners, including men and women, in black as a symbol of sympathy shouldering the coffins of the martyrs, covered with Iran's flag marched towards the Majlis (parliament). The event coincided with the martyrdom anniversary of Fatima Zahra (peace be upon her), the daughter of the holy Prophet of Islam, Hadhrat Mohammad (SAWA).

The leader attended an event held in Mahdieh mourning center in which people were beating on their chests as a symbol of mourning and sympathy. Ayatollah Khamenei came back from the holy city of Mashhad in the northeastern province of Khorasan after attending a ceremony to refurbish the mausoleum of the eight Imam of the Household of the holy prophet of Islam, Hadhrat Mohammad (PBUH).
:irna 15/08/2000 13

Leader's office stresses need for national unity in statement (10.8.2000)

Tehran, Aug 10, IRNA -- The office of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in a statement issued Wednesday evening underlined the need for unity among all walks of people and political and social groups. The statement said the wise decision of the Majlis deputies following the guideline set by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic revolution and the support the people lent to their deputies signified their deep religious understanding of the key elements of the steadfastness of the Islamic system and their sincere efforts in safeguarding the aspirations of the late Imam Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran. the statement said in part that the honorable deputies notably its presiding board with their judicious choice of following Leader's guideline (about the Press law ) showed that Majlis as the symbol of the nation's virtues is the true manifestation of the people's religious and revolutionary identity, and acts in accordance with the Constitution as its Islamic and national duty. The Leader's office also noted that the wise and enlightened act of Majlis also revealed the fact that certain analyses worked out by the enemies of the Islamic system, just like other commentaries made by the international system of oppression, tend to be unrealistic since any acts whatever in favor of the enemies are doomed to failure in this great and proud country. The statement also said that foreign media as the tools of the world oppressors and the zionists which have showed their anger and disappointment towards the wise act of Majlis, propagate lies and distort facts in a bid to sow discord among the Iranian nation. The statement said the religious and sincere people in recent days once again proved the fact that acting in unison is the most effective element in foiling enemies' plots. The office also underlined the importance nf keeping calm in the society and promoting the national unity in the society. It `lso said that the coordination and cooperation between the people and Majlis rhould remain a non-factional `nd national notion.
:irna 10/08/2000 01:16

Leader's condolences on Shirazi's passing away (7.8.2000)

Tehran, Aug 7, IRNA -- The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei in a message on Monday condoled with the Custodian of the Eight Imam Hazrat Reza's (as) holy rhrine Hojatoleslam Vaez Tabasi on departure nf Ayatollah Shirazi, the Friday Prayers Leader of Mashhad (Khorasan). Ayatollah Khamenei in his message lauded the late Shirazi as a clergy who fought the former monarchical regime and made his presence felt at Dxperts Assembly and during the eight-year Iraqi imposed war (1980-88). The leader `lso condoled with the people nf Mashhad `nd the bereaved family of Ayatollah Shirazi on the late Ayatollah's passing away.
: hrna 07/08/2000 22:40

Decision to withdraw motion on press law amendment (6.8.2000)

Tehran, Aug. 6, IRNA -- Following an announcement by the Majlis Speaker Hojjatoleslam Mahdi Karrubi Sunday that the motion to amend the Press Law has been withdrawn from the agenda of the Majlis, strong disputes broke out between some members of the parliament which led to physical encounter in some cases. Karrubi said at the open session of the Majlis that the decision not to debate the amendment had been taken following an order by the Supreme Leader. ...... In his letter to the MPs, the Leader said: "The press are in a position of being able to influence public thought and have the means to do so. "If the enemies of Islam and the Revolution are able to enforce their grip on the press or infiltrate them, national security, unity and faith will be seriously endangered; myself and other officials may not even be able to stay put," he said. "The current law has somewhat been able to prevent such a disaster and its (open) interpretation is not legitimate and in the interest of the nation.".....
::irna 06/08/2000 10:49

Leader: Islamic Revolution, a worldwide cultural event (6.8.2000)

Tehran, August 6, IRNA -- The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said on Sunday that the victory of the Islamic Revolution has been a cultural event in the international community. Addressing the diplomatic officials serving as cultural attaches abroad, the Supreme Leader said the Islamic Revolution brought a new outlook towards Islam and helped the Muslim World take a new approach to Islam's ability to run state affairs. The Leader said the cultural dimension of the Islamic Revolution was the reason for it being recognized as an international event and demonstrated Islam's ability to administer different aspects of life. Ayatollah Khamenei said the Islamic Revolution succeeded in guiding a popular movement in Iran and established a state administration through adoption of a progressive Constitution and offered a new role that Islam can play at international level. In addition to the drastic cultural aspect of the Islamic Revolution, Islam proved (in practice) that it has explicit outlook towards critical international issues, the Supreme Leader said. The Leader said the Islamic Revolution served to display the impact of religious outlook on the materialistic world. Ayatollah Khamenei said since the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the hegemonistic centers of the world have launched a propaganda campaign against Islam to contain the cultural impacts of the Islamic Revolution, but by the grace of God, their conspiracies have been neutralized and the Islamic system has been reinforced over the past 20 years.

The Leader called on the diplomatic officials serving as cultural attaches to exercise wisdom, meditation, vigilance and vibrancy in carrying out their cultural work abroad. "Islam gives preference to expression and you should convey Islam's new outlook and introduce Islam's programs to administer social life of humanity," the Leader said. Prior to the leader's remarks, Head of the Islamic Culture and Communications Organization (ICCO) Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Taskhiri delivered a report on ICCO performance and the organization's programs to help promote Persian language and confront cultural inroad.
:irna 06/08/2000 18:49

Leader: Zionists' defeat in South Lebanon "unforgettable" (3.8.2000)

Tehran, Aug. 3, IRNA -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told Speaker of the Lebanese National Assembly Nabih Berri here Thursday that the Zionist regime's defeat in southern Lebanon is an unforgettable event. The Supreme Leader said the great victory is the climax of Islamic-Arab honor against Zionists. The leader said the big victory was achieved due to three factors, namely spirit of resistance and struggle, solidarity, and perseverance against insinuations of the enemy who tried to portray resistance ineffective.

Despite the victory, great struggles are ahead and victory in the struggle needs safeguarding these three factors, stressed the Supreme Leader. Ayatollah Khamenei thanked the Lebanese government and parliament for supporting the Islamic resistance and cautioned them against continued greed of Israel in southern Lebanon. "One should by keeping the spirit of resistance in Lebanon alive and by supporting it and maintaining unity among the resistance forces be alert and prepared against the danger," said the Leader. The leader stressed that one of the reasons for failure of the Camp David II talks was the repercussions of the victory in southern Lebanon. With Palestine being still occupied, the danger of Israel will be there and all have the duty to strive for liberation of Palestine, said the Supreme Leader. The leader said resistance is the sole way of liberating Palestine. One of the serious demands which one should emphasize on is the return of Palestinian refugees to their own land, added the leader. Berri for his part congratulated the Supreme Leader on the honorable victory of the Islamic Resistance in southern Lebanon and touched on the impact of the spiritual support of Iran for Lebanon on realization of the victory. He called on Iran to continue its support for Lebanon and help the country reconstruct its southern territory.
:irna 03/08/2000 15:33

Heads of three powers discuss reforms with Leader (3.8.2000)

Tehran, Aug. 3, IRNA -- Heads of three branches of power attended a meeting in presence of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei on Thursday to follow up the leader's guidelines and viewpoints on reforms. President Mohammad Khatami, Majlis Speaker Mehdi Karroubi and Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Seyed Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi as well as the Expediency Council (EC) Chairman Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani discussed the ways and means to follow the views and guidelines of the Supreme Leader on reforms.
The recent speech of the Supreme Leader in a meeting with the executive officials of the system was the main axis of talks at the meeting.
The Supreme Leader had in a meeting with executive officials on July 9 stressed formation of a powerful, self-restraint and intelligent center to follow up and direct the reform issue.

Leader: Cultural institutions should counter cultural inroad (2.8.2000)

Tehran, Aug. 2, IRNA -- The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday cautioned against the cultural inroad by foreign enemies against the Iranian people, specially the youth and called on cultural institutions to be on the forefront of the struggle to counter such an inroad. Speaking to a gathering of the heads of the Education Departments across the country, he added that the nation expects the Education Ministry to augment the scientific, and ethical knowledge of the youth.

Imaminfo, e-Mail: imaminfo@islam-pure.de 
Copyright © since 1999