Meeting with members of Association to defend Palestinian nation (31.12.2001)Tehran- Dec 31 -The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed
Ali Khamenei said on Monday that a bright prospect on the horizon is awaiting
Palestine. In a meeting with members of the Association to defend the
Palestinian nation, the Supreme Leader said that God willing the present
generation will see the liberation of Palestine, despite the propaganda campaign
against Palestinian Intifada (uprising ). The Suprerm Leader said that the
Palestinian cause is the main Islamic concern adding that the cancerous tumor of
the zionist regime accounts for many calamities from which the Muslim world is
suffering now. The Supreme Leader pointed to the insight of the late Imam
Khomeini and said that since 1963, the late Imam Khomeini had always been
concerned about the Palestinian plight and had recognized gradually growing
influence of the Zionists on the now-defunc t Shah regime of Iran, something
which later became evident for the public. The Leader said that victory of the
Islamic revolution in Iran has posed a threat to the ambitions and plots of the
Zionist Regime adding that given the clear-cut stance taken by the late Imam
Khomeini following the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran (1979) toward
Palestine, overlooking Palestinian issue will damage Iran's national interests
and that Iran's dignity, unity and national interests depend upon standing
against the cancerous tumor of the Zionist Regime. The Supreme Leader pointed to
the political and economic support the global arrogance extends to the Zionist
regime and said that the international mass media have been under monopoly of
the Zionists. "One of the tasks of the association to defend the
Palestinian nation should be to revive the philosophy of the Palestinian nation
and propagating it among the intellectuals and the public," the Leader said.
Ayatollah Khamenei in the meantime appreciated the services of the association.
Before the Leader's remarks, head of the association to defend the Palestinian
nation Mrs. Zahra Mostafavi explained the objectives of the association. Mrs.
Mostafavi said that the Islamic States should take practical steps to support
Palestinians incl uding imposing economic sanctions on the Zionist Regime.
Secretary of the Association to defend the Palestinian nation Rahmandoust also
briefed the Supreme Leader on the performance of the Association and said that
the non-governmental organization has established qods news agency (Qodsna) in
Tehran to cable the developments in the occupied Palestine to the world public
opinion. Leader called on parliament and judiciary to end 'futile disputes' (30.12.2001)Tehran, Dec 30 - Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed
Ali Khamenei on Sunday called on Iran's parliament (Majlis) and judiciary to end
'futile disputes', following a war of words between the two state powers over
the immunity of MP s. "I invite the esteemed Majlis representatives and
judiciary officials to move on the legal track and observe the law; (I) also
admonish them from futile disputes in issues for which the legal channels are
defined," he said in response to parliamentary deputy speaker Mohammad-Reza
Khatami who had asked the Supreme Leader to order a halt to the judiciary's
prosecution of MPs. "As you know there is no legal deadlock in this case
and similar cases and all solutions have been envisaged in the constitution,"
he said in a letter addressed to Khatami. Ayatollah Khamenei, instead, asked the
two constitutional powers to respect each other. "Majlis should respect the
judiciary and the judiciary is advised to observe the dignity of the Islamic
Consultative Assembly (parliament)," he said. "Differences and
commotion, especially in the presence of the public opinion,... are against
national interests and indecent towards God and the people," Ayatollah
Khamenei said. The Supreme Leader reiterated the two state powers'
constitutional authorities which he said cannot be challenged. "The
esteemed Majlis deputies are tasked with supervising and criticizing; nobody has
the right to challenge them on this," he said. "MPs however have no
right to exceed the legal red lines," he added. " The judiciary
meanwhile is responsible to pursue violators of law and deal with them firmly,"
he said, adding, "Neither that power has the right to exceed its legal
authorities in judgment." Khatami, currently acting as the parliament
speaker in the absence of Mehdi Karroubi who is in Saudi Arabia on an official
visit, had protested about the courts' prosecution of MPs. Universities should take steps to bring about progress (29.12.2001)Tehran- Dec 29 - The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah
Seyyed Ali Khamenei said on Saturday that universities, academic and research
centers should take serious and practical steps to bring about progress in the
field of science and technology. In a meeting with Minister of science, research
and technology Mostafa Moin, and officials of the academic and research centers,
the Supreme Leader said that the present generation in Iran is capable of
planning and putting into force programs to promote science and research in the
country. The Supreme Leader pointed to Iran's historical backwardness in the
field of science and research and said that practical steps should be taken to
make good on past backwardness. The Supreme Leader recommended that academic
centers should take necessary measures to bring about progress in science and
research studies and said that they should start working instead of giving
repetitive slogans. The Supreme Leader also called on universities to form
direct relationship with the industrial sector and said that universities
officials are expected to guide the centers of higher education toward the
objectives of the Islamic Republic. Ayatollah Khamenei said that university is
at the core of the Islamic Republic adding that the Islamic universities are
required to go ahead with the keeping up with the advanced science and
technology free from any propaganda campaign. Elaborating on Islamization of the
universities, the Supreme Leader said that paving the way for promoting science
and technology, initiation and innovation are the expectations from the Islamic
universities. The Supreme Leader pointed to his regular contacts with the
university students and teachers and said that the officials of the ministry of
science, research and technology should exercise vigilance to neutralize a plan
to divert the universities from the objectives of the Islamic Republic. Moin
briefed the Supreme Leader on national strategy for science and technology
adopted by 44th meeting of chancellors of the universities and the academic and
research centers and said that the universities are working to put into force
the scientif ic objectives of the Islamic Republic and make the process of
science and technology free of political impacts as well as promoting Islamic
and Quranic culture. He said that the universities are committed to the values
of the Islamic Republic which advocates justice, defending the rights of
Palestinians against the brutal aggressions of the Zionist regime and standing
up to global arrogance.
Leader: Cooperation among regional states serve peace in Caucasus (26.12.2001)Tehran, Dec 26, IRNA -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday that close cooperation among regional states would serve peace and stability in the Caucasus. Receiving Armenian President Robert Kocharyan, the Supreme Leader said that the Islamic Republic of Iran believes in political and economic independence of the states in the Caucasus and calls for non-interference of transregional powers in the domestic affairs of those independent states. "The transregional powers including the United States are in pursuit of their own interests without taking into account the interests of the regional states. The conflict in the Caucasus will be resolved by the regional states without interference of foreign countries," the Leader said. The Supreme Leader said that the regional states should develop relations and utilize all their capacities to ensure better prospects for the region. Iran and Armenia should follow up implementation of joint economic projects including Kajaran tunnel, hydroelectric power plan and setting up gas pipeline between Iran and Armenia. The Supreme Leader recalled the services of Iranian Armenians in the course of Iraqi-imposed war (1980-1988) who offered scores of martyrs and said that the Armenians have cordial relations with their Muslim compatriots in Iran.
The Leader, in the meantime, offered his
felicitations to all Christians and Iranian Armenians, in particular, on the auspicious
birthday anniversary of Jesus Christ (peace be upon him). President Kocharyan expressed
pleasure with his visit to Iran and with his meeting the Supreme Leader and said that the
Islamic Republic is a friendly country to the Republic of Armenia adding that regional
conflicts must be settled by the countries of the region and that the interests of the
region should not be sacrificed for that of external powers. He said that Armenia is
seeking to resolve the conflict with Azerbaijan Republic adding that the international
organizations should prepare the ground for settlement of Yerevan-Baku dispute. The
Armenian president appreciated the Supreme Leader's personal support for development of
Tehran-Yerevan economic cooperation and said that the two countries are working on joint
economic projects which will benefit both nations. He said that the Iranian Armenians are
satisfied with their status in the Islamic Republic of Iran and appreciate the current
peace and security they enjoy in Iran. Message of condolence for demise of Ayatollah Shirazi (17.12.2001)Tehran - Dec 17 - The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah
Khamenei sent a message of condolence for the sad demise of Ayatollah sayed
Mohammad Shirazi. In the message the Supreme Leader has praised the late
Ayatollah Shirazi's valuable works and services to the Moslem world. Leader says solidarity, coordination pressing need of Muslim world (16.12.2001)Tehran, Dec 16, IRNA -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali
Khamenei said here Sunday that the Muslim world at present is in dire need of solidarity
and coordination. Ayatollah Khamenei said in an address to a group of Iranian officials
and Muslim states' ambassadors residing in Tehran that currently the main problems of the
world of Islam are division and lack of unity. The Leader said in case of unity and
solidarity among Muslims worldwide as well as Islamic governments benefiting from the
backing of their nations and the care shown by the governments for their peoples, Muslims
would not be threatened by the arrogant powers. Ayatollah Khamenei added that the
Palestinian issue is the most basic problem of the world of Islam. The Leader said the
destiny of Muslim states is linked with the Palestinian issue. The world of Islam should
maintain unity and the sense of Islamic power and abide by their duty to render support
for Palestine, added Iran's Supreme Leader. The Ayatollah said the pressures Zionists and
their supporters are currently exerting on the Palestinian nation are because of the heavy
blow the movement and uprising of the Palestinian nation have dealt to them, that is
nullification of all their equations. The Leader also stressed on the observation of
unanimity of words among Iranian officials as well as ignorance of few minor differences
and relying on ample commonalties instead. Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader
congratulated the audience on the auspicious feast of Eid-ul-Fitr and advised Muslims to
benefit from the spiritual blessings of the "divine gift" of
Eid-ul-Fitr. Prior
to the Leader's remarks, President Mohammad Khatami told the audience that at this
juncture, the world is more than ever in need of the spiritual atmosphere brought about by
the holy month of Ramadan because a major portion of human beings are suffering from lack
of spirituality, decent materialistic life and ignorance of their legitimate
rights.
"The calamity is yet more painful in some parts of the world of Islam," added
the president. He also referred to the Zionist Regime's crimes in Palestine during the
holy month of Ramadan and stressed, "had Muslims and Islamic governments gained
maximum benefits from the month of Ramadan and stood beside each other in defending rights
of the oppressed Palestinian people, they would not have been witnessing the deplorable
conditions in Palestine today." Meanwhile, he expressed hope that Afghanistan would
witness progress, stability, and security free from foreign intervention following an end
to ruins, homelessness and misery of the Afghan people. Leader: Mischievous gov'ts can't be arbitrators in Palestine (16.12.2001)Tehran, Dec 16, IRNA -- The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said here on Sunday that the "international mischievous" governments, that support the Zionist regime, cannot serve as arbitrators and well-wishers in the Palestinian case. Ayatollah Khamenei called as "highly depressing and shocking" the crimes committed against the oppressed Palestinian people by Zionists and said the Palestinian catastrophe goes on despite its "extreme ugliness," adding in fact Zionists' crimes have left no feast for Muslims to celebrate it. The leader said in his second Eid-ul-Fitr sermon to
multitudes of worshipers that turning a blind eye on the "terrorist and
shameful" acts of the Zionist regime and labeling the Palestinian nation as
"terrorists" are a big and historical injustice towards the Palestinian nation.
The Supreme Leader said Muslim governments, ulema, scholars, artists and the elite
shoulder a heavy duty to confront the big injustice and also to defend the oppressed
Palestinians. The Ayatollah added that Muslim governments should rely on the popular
support shown by their peoples and offer all-out backing to Palestinians. Ayatollah
Khamenei touched on the support rendered by arrogant powers, especially the US, to the
Qods occupying regime and their open enmity towards the Palestinian nation and said these
"international mischievous" governments cannot handle the Palestinian issue and
act as arbitrators and well-wishers. The Palestinian nation has through its Jihad proved
so far that blood can resist the sword and God willing it would continue resistance and
struggle and prove that blood can even overcome the sword, added the Iranian Leader.
Ayatollah Khamenei also thanked the Iranian nation for their high turnout in the World
Qods Day rallies on the last Friday of the auspicious holy month of Ramadan. Turning to
the Afghan issue, Ayatollah Khamenei expressed concern over big powers' efforts to
influence the Afghan government as well as their presence in the war-torn country and said
such moves would put an end to the current tranquility in Afghanistan and violate
interests of the country. The paramount leader said the Afghan government should be formed
free from any foreign influence, adding those residing in Europe or other countries during
years of the Afghan people's hardship and those who have not closely touched the suffering
of the Afghan people should not assume responsibility in the country. The Leader said
Afghan nation's determination of their fate and an end to influence of foreigners in
Afghanistan are the only way of eliminating hardship and suffering of the Afghan people.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Ayatollah Khamenei said all people, especially custodians of the
financial, political and social affairs should show mercy and kindness and refuse to
violate rights of others and legal limits. He also called on the judiciary and parts of
the executive power that fight financial corruption to continue their great task. The
leader also congratulated the faithful on the auspicious Eid-ul-Fitr, being celebrated at
the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan. President Mohammad Khatami, cabinet members,
MPs and senior Iranian officials as well as ambassadors and charge d'affaires from Muslim
states residing in Tehran were also present at the Eid-ul-Fitr prayers. Supreme Leader leads Eid-ul-Fitr prayers (16.12.2001)Tehran, Dec 16, IRNA -- The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed
Ali Khamenei here on Sunday led the Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at Musalla (grand prayers ground).
Thousands of the faithful attended the site and the nearby areas to say their prayers. The
Leader has reportedly delivered a speech at the ceremonies. Leader calls for unity among officials (13.12.2001)Tehran, Dec 13, IRNA -- A group of top officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran here
on Wednesday called on the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali
Khamenei. In the meeting, the leader stressed that the realization of slamic objectives is
an arduous task and a long process which needs sincere faith, resistance and remembering
God. The supreme leader urged all well-wishers of the Islamic system nd all who assume a
public responsibility in the country to avoid disputes and remember their promise to
people and do their best to render service to public and remove the problems of people.
Ayatollah Khamenei thanked the officials for their efforts and said the religious
atmosphere which emerged after the Islamic revolution is the best opportunity for the
faithful officials to mploy all their capability for individual and social development.
The leader urged the officials never to forget the basic tenets of the revolution and
added that any deviation from the principles would mean gradual change of the identity of
the revolution. Ayatollah Khamenei said one of the current problems of the country is the
unfounded discords among those who are in the service f the system and stressed that all
political fractions within the revolution are insiders. He stressed that all well-wishers
of the Islamic system should void showing disputes and magnifying them and should work for
unity among the officials. Ayatollah Khamenei said such disputes lead to the
disappointment of people and prevent the officials from giving service to people and
stressed that top officials should take steps in resolving this problem. "However, if
we see that some people do not let the problem be solved, we will have to find a remedy
for it," concluded the leader. Supreme Leader underlines importance of CRHC (10.12.2001)Tehran, Dec 10, IRNA -- The Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali
Khamenei here on Monday in a meeting with the head and members of the Cultural Revolution
High Council (CRHC) called this institution an immensely important one and stressed that
the basic duty of the Council is to lead the cultural issues on a macro level. He added
that the membership of the heads of the three branches of the government in the Council is
the warranty for implementation of its ratifications. The Leader pointed to the different
views that exist on the familiarization of the younger generation with Islamic culture and
reiterated that such important cultural issues must be reviewed and assessed in a
rational, scientific and deep manner in the Council and necessary policies be implemented.
He said the amount of research carried out by the bodies and authorities in the cultural
fields are insufficient and emphasized that while research should be taken seriously, it
should be directed in a manner in harmony with the country's scientific cycle. Ayatollah
Khamenei also stressed that special attention must be paid so that the buildings and
construction works bear the national, cultural and religious symbols and the related
organizations must be obliged to implement this directive. In the meeting, Mohammad
Khatami, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran and head of the Cultural Revolution
High Council presented a report on the activities of the council during the last year and
pointed out its duties and some of its ratifications. Leader urges OIC, Arab League to hold a summit on Palestine (7.12.2001)Tehran, Dec 7, IRNA -- The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali
Khamenei here Friday laid great stress on holding a summit by the Organization of the
Islamic Conference (OIC) and the Arab League to survey situation in Palestine. Ayatollah
Khamenei, who was addressing multitudes of Friday prayers worshipers here at Tehran
University campus on the martyrdom anniversary of Hazrat Ali (AS), the first Imam of
Prophet Mohammad's (PBUH) infallible Household, said issuance of a resolution in an
attempt to defend Palestinians is not enough. Rather, the Leader added, the asset and
power of the world of Islam must be employed at the international communities in
Palestinians' favor. The Leader said that the defenseless children, youth, men and women
of Palestine must be supported through adopting strong stances and putting the US and its
other Zionist allies under threat of severing ties. He called on the world of Islam to
defend Palestinians, calling for the uprising of Islamic states against Zionism
determining. Public opinion's pressure can force the governments to move, said the Leader,
adding that due to the same reason, Muslim nations should turn the upcoming Qods Day into
day of wrath against Israel and its supporters and firmly defend the Palestinians.
Ayatollah Khamenei touched on the `undeniable role' of the US in the Zionist regime's
crimes and said those attacking Afghanistan heavily under the pretext of killing a few
people and through the slogan of campaign against terrorism, are now confirming open
massacre of Palestinians. The Zionists have been destroying Palestinians' houses and
killing women and children mercilessly, said the Leader of Islamic Revolution asking
"Is it not a terrorist act?" The US and British forces' support for the crimes
committed by the Zionist regime has brought about shame for their nations, said the Leader
adding that the worn-out and colonialist regime of England has been turned into a US
broker but the Zionist supporters should know their efforts would be futile and the
occupier regime of Qods would have worst days ahead. Ayatollah Khamenei called Intifada as
legitimate and the uprising of Palestinian nation to regain its rights. On the abortive
efforts of Zionists and their supporters to curb Intifada, the Friday prayers leader said:
"Thanks to all-out presence of the faithful and brave Palestinian youth in the scene
of struggle against occupiers, Intifada would bear fruit and the holy land would run by
the Palestinian nation following removal of usurpers sooner or later." Elsewhere in
his remarks, Ayatollah Khamenei recalled heavy duties of Muslim ulema, scholars, authors,
poets and students to support Intifada. Switching to situation in Afghanistan, the Supreme
Leader said merciless strike of the US and UK on Afghan civilians turned into open war
crimes in certain instances. The crimes, he added, would be kept in minds of Muslim
nations throughout history and would not be forgotten. Expressing pleasure over formation
of a government through consensus of Afghan people and groups, Ayatollah Khamenei said
Americans should not try to portray the Taliban's collapse as their powerful victory
because in absence of Afghan people and forces, the Taliban's downfall and setup of a new
government in that country was impossible. He opposed any sort of foreign intervention in
Afghanistan and said any government installed in Afghanistan should pay due attention to
two essential factors, Islam and independence sought by people, because the Afghan nation
deeply follows Islam and the history shows that they confront any foreign intervention.
Ayatollah Khamenei said Iran's policy on Afghanistan is based on support for Afghan
people. The Leader called on all Afghan ethnic groups and parties to set aside their
differences and try to reconstruct the war-ravaged country. Under no circumstances Iran
agrees with foreign countries' intervention in Afghanistan and the Westerners should know
that long-term military presence under any pretext would be confronted by the country,
said the Iranian Leader. Expressing his gratitude to those who held the Day of Solidarity
With Afghan Nation, the Leader underlined continuation of Iran's relief aid to
Afghanistan. |
