Tehran, Feb 24 - The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah
Seyed Ali Khamenei said Wednesday Iranians need to make as much endeavor
as possible to lift their scientific and technological status to a level
compatible with the historic position of the nation. At a meeting with a
host of engineers, researchers and scientists on Wednesday, Ayatollah
Khamenei said the Islamic Revolution was instrumental in boosting the
self-confidence of the Iranian science community, as it cleared the
hurdles standing in the way of national progress.
Recalling the scientific retrogression of the pre-revolution area, the
Leader said imitative approaches of those who were in power back then
deterred the Iranians from treading the path to creativity, innovation and
self-confidence, and paved the way for Western domination over Iran.
Ayatollah Khamenei stated the Revolution gave Iran a new lease of life
and promoted the idea that Iranians can make progress on all fronts. The
Leader further said the sanctions slapped on Islamic Iran immediately
after the Revolution promoted self-reliance among Iranian scientists,
adding although a lot of headway has already been made, more efforts are
needed to close Iran's scientific gap with the developed world.
Ayatollah Khamenei expressed sorrow over the loss of life caused by the
killer quake in Zarand on Tuesday, saying natural disasters as such make
the responsibility of officials in charge of the housing sector heavier,
and that renovation of old districts in towns and cities across the nation
should be give more priority.
Supreme Leader receives Pak prime minister
Tehran, Feb 23, IRNA -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution
Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei received the visiting Pakistani Prime
Minister Showkat Aziz and his accompanying delegation here on Wednesday
evening. The supreme leader referring to the two nations deep religious,
cultural and historic relations, pointed out that the bilateral ties of
the Iranian and Pakistani governments are influenced by the heartfelt
feelings, and friendly mentalities of the two nations. Ayatollah Khamenei
further emphasized that such contacts between the two countries` high
ranking officials pave the path for very broad and comprehensive
cooperation, and therefore, they should frequently take place. The supreme
leader said, "The regional countries` bilateral and multilateral
cooperation would lead to strengthening all of them, but the policies
pursued by outsiders are against such fruitful cooperation." The Ayatollah
added, "All the same, the outsiders` policies have temporary effects and
it is the regional nations that must remain side by side of one another
naturally, and need to cooperate with one another in the long term."
Ayatollah Khamenei referring to the Pak government`s wise move in
launching a serious campaign against clans disputes and clashes there,
said, "Of course in order to counter clashes among clans effectively it is
necessary to seek their roots, as well as the elements that benefit mostly
form them, because the Shi`as and Sunnis have been living side by side of
each other peacefully for long centuries, both in the (Indian)
subcontinent, and in Iran."
The supreme leader also considered campaign against terrorism "a
correct, sagacious and Islamic move," emphasizing, "Terrorism is a
perilous and catchy phenomenon that needs to be countered, but we do not
believe the Americans` claim in that regard, because they always adopt
double-standard and biassed policies, such as backing up the terrorist
moves of the Zionists and certain other terrorist groups."
Turning to the nuclear issue, Ayatollah Khamenei expressed hope that
the crisis would resolve through negotiations and dialogues, all the same
stressing, "Holding dialogue does not mean yielding to the viewpoints of
the other side blindfolded, and if the westerners would insist that no
nation, but themselves is entitled to master in nuclear sciences, that is
an irrational and arrogant demand, seriously denounced by us."
The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution stressing the importance
of mastering in nuclear sciences from economic, scientific, technological,
and ecosystem, and self sufficiency points of view, added, "Besides, in
order to run our nuclear reactors efficiently, the Islamic Republic of
Iran needs to master in that field."
The leader further elaborated, "The Western countries justify their
opposition with other countries` access to nuclear power arguing that
cannot trust those countries words regarding refraining from manufacturing
nuclear weapons, but we too, tell them that we do not trust them." He
added, "That is because we have historical proof in past century based on
which we know the threat of their resorting to weapons of mass destruction
(WMD) is much greater, just as they used weak nuclear bombs in Iraq war."
Ayatollah Khamenei at the end expressed satisfaction over activation of
the efforts aimed at constructing the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline,
naming it the "peace pipeline" and expressing hope that it would be
finalized as soon as possible. During the meeting, in the presence of
First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Aref, the Pak Prime Minister Showkat
Aziz, too, expressed delight over being granted a meeting with the supreme
leader, describing his talks with the Iranian officials as fruitful.
Showkat Aziz added, "We discussed various issues with high ranking
Iranian officials, including the gas pipeline, transportation, trade,
banking, and joint investments." Appreciating the Iranian nation and
government`s support for Pakistan`s move in countering religious disputes,
and particularly campaign against terrorism, Aziz said, "There are forces
in the region that totally dislike the establishment of peace and
stability here, and therefore Iran and Pakistan should cooperate in facing
the challenges effectively."
The Pak prime minister at the end expressed hope that Iran`s nuclear
problems would resolve through negotiations. Pakistan`s Prime Minister
Shaukat Aziz heading a political and economic delegation arrived here
Tuesday to confer with senior Iranian officials including President
Khatami. Ministers of of oil, natural resources, drug control, and the
advisor for state affairs are accompanying the Pakistani prime minister in
his trip to Tehran.
Supreme Leader marks Ashura ceremony
Tehran, Feb 21 - Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah
Seyed Ali Khamenei here on Saturday evening attended a ceremony marking
Ashura, the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS) on the 10th day of
the lunar month of Muharram, falling this year on Sunday in Iran.
Imam Hussein, the `leader of the martyrs', and grandson of Prophet
Mohammad (PBUH) and his 72 companions were killed in Karbala in 680 A.D.
during the Ashura eve ceremony, several clerics in the presence of the
Supreme Leader delivered speeches on the aspects of Imam Hussein's
movement.
Supreme Leader in Moharram mournings
Tehran, Feb 17 - Mourning ceremonies will be held for the lord of the
martyrs, Imam Hussein (AS) at Imam Khomeini Hosseinya on February 17-21
after the prayers of dusk and night. The Supreme Leader of the Islamic
Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei will host the mourners. Meanwhile,
the Supreme Leader will attend a memorial service to be held at Imam
Khomeini Hosseinya on February 17 for the victims of the fire which broke
out at Arg mosque, downtown Tehran, on Monday leaving over 50 people dead.
Leader grieved by Tehran mosque fire
Tehran, Feb 16 - The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah
Seyed Ali Khamenei expressed condolences over the death of dozens of
mourners in Tehran Mosque fire, and stressed on the implementing all
possibilities to speed up the process of t reating the victims of the
heartbreaking incident. 'I was deeply grieved by the heart-rendering
incident where dozens of pious servants of the almighty God were gutted to
death or injured,' the Supreme Leader said in his message. 'Definitely,
those who were performing mass prayers and congregated for holding
mourning ceremony for Imam Hussein (AS), and those who came to glorify the
religious rites in this house of the God (Mosques), ascended to the heaven,
God willing,' the Le ader said. I express my deepest condolences to Hazrat
Mahdi (the twelfth Shiite Imam), and the noble people of Iran. I pray God
for tolerance of the berieved families of the painful incident. The
Supreme Leader also paid tribute to all rescue forces who braved to save
the lives of the victims.
Supreme Leader appreciates nation
Tehran, Feb 13 - Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Ayatollah Ali Khamenie issued a message on Saturday, appreciating the
massive turnout of the nation in last Thursday rallies to mark the 26th
anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.
In the message the Leader said the massive participation in the event
made the world, even the enemies to praise the unified Iranians. The
message said heavy turnout of the faithful Iranian people in the severe
cold weather, defeated the enemy which has stepped up a war of words
against the Islamic Republic. The Iranians, the message said, once again
proved that they always remain faithful to their cause of the Islamic
Revolution. This faith, morale and unity makes a nation unconquerable,
something the United States and the other enemies of the Islamic Republic
of Iran would never underestand.
'Whenever they try to hit the Islamic country through a propaganda
trick, the brave Iranian nation takes to the scene and nullifies their
plots', the messaged reads. The Leader in his message said the Iranian
nation has consciously selected the path of the Islam which is the way to
progress and national independence and will remain steadfast on this path.
In conclusion, Ayatollah Khamenei urged the nation to turn out massively
in the upcoming presidential elections slated for the next Spring.
AF personnel, examples of resistance
Tehran, Feb 7 - Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali
Khamenei here on Monday said that the victory of the 1979 Islamic
Revolution in Iran and its perpetuation stemmed from the wise resistance
of the Iranian nation to foreign powers. Addressing a large group of the
Air Force commanders and personnel, Ayatollah Khamenei reiterated that
Iran's Islamic Revolution is the first great revolution of the world which
has been able to bravely and powerfully continue its march towards its
objectives on the right direction.
The Iranian nation will once again put on display its national strength
and public will on Bahman 22, marking the anniversary of the triumph of
the Islamic Revolution, the Supreme Leader added. People's insistence on
independence and their resistance to international dictatorship were major
reasons behind enmity of big powers with the Islamic Revolution over the
past 26 years, the Supreme Leader noted.
The major problem of despotic regimes, led by the US, with Iran is that
a country and nation which had been under the US influence and pressure
for a long period of time is now standing against the will of Washington
and all hegemonic powers and has not given in to the international
dictatorship, the Supreme Leader said. The Bahman 22 rally is a
manifestation of the will of a nation which is able to defeat any power
with great military and political potentials, he added.
As to the alleged support for human rights, freedom, anti-terrorism
campaign and fight against weapons of mass destruction by the US
authorities, the Supreme Leader said despite all these false slogans,
Washington supports many dictatorial regimes. The most wicked and
mischievous terrorist groups are created by the US Central Intelligence
Agency (CIA), he said adding that moreover, the Zionist prime minister who
is the mastermind behind the assassination of Palestinian people is backed
by the US officials. The Supreme Leader further referred to the US
policies as the main obstacle in the way of settlement of the Mideast
problem. The Americans wrongly believe that by ignoring the rights of the
Palestinians and supporting a savage dictator who massacres Palestinian
women, children and elderly the Palestinian problem will be solved, he
added.
The only solution to the Palestinian problem is to act upon Iran's
recommendation, hold a referendum among Palestinian people on their own
fate and establish a popular government on the basis of the referendum as
well as to make a decision on non-Palestinian migrants, Ayatollah Khamenei
said.
Awareness of the Muslim nations and their opposition to international
despotism are main reasons behind the failure of the US plan of a greater
Middle East, the Supreme Leader said. Terming the recent Iraqi elections
as the sign of the US failure in the region, he said the Iraqi people
voted in favor of those advocating Islam, national identity and anti-US
policies. Elsewhere in his speech, Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the Air
Force personnel as the source of resistance of the Iranian nation and
praised their devotion during the 1980-88 Iraqi imposed war. Prior to the
Supreme Leader's speech, the Air Force Commander Brigadier General Karim
Qavami briefed the Supreme Leader on the combat readiness of his force and
measures so far taken to augment scientific strength of the Air Force
personnel and experts.
Leader meets university students
Tehran, Feb 4 - "World tyrants try to deny the Iranian nation the will
of progress with all possibilities and they have already unleashed a
full-scale cold war to gain this end," Supreme Leader of the Islamic
Revolution, Ayatollah Khameni, told a gathering of university students
Thursday. "This is because the Iranian nation keeps supporting the
innocent (nations) and stands up to tyrranical ones," he said, stressing
that the nation do keep its way and has succeded to prove to the world
Muslim the possibility of winnable battle against the world hegemony.
He described the rapturous welcomes baden by world nations to
high-ranking official of I.R.Iran as a fruit of the Islamic Revolution,
saying 'the mystery of those welcomes lies in the attractive mottos of the
Islamic Revolution, and that the Iranian nation supports the innocent and
refuse to bow to world arrogance'. He prayed to God the Iranian nation
enjoy success in its way which 'determins history,' having behind the help
of God and the zeal of the nation and the officials.
Ayatollah Khamenei divulged new approches of the world arrogance to
plunder other nations, terming them 'ultra-neo-colonialism,' portrayed as
'the application of propagnda means to affect the spirit of nations,
besides draining their elite'. Ayatollah Khameni downplayed recent threats
of US President George W. Bush, saying 'Bush is the fifth among the US
presidents who have minded to get the Iranian nation perished, but he
would succeeded not more than what Carter, Reagan and the Senior Bush got'.
However, he reminded the audience that the full materialization of the
Revolutionary causes will come after incessant and communal work of
several consecutive generations.
Leader pay tribute to Imam Khomeini
Tehran, Feb 1 - Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah
Seyed Ali Khamenei paid tribute to the father of the Islamic Revolution,
the late Imam Khomeini, here on Tuesday in a visit to his mausoleum in
southern Tehran.
The visit took place on the second day of the 'Dahe-ye Fajr' (10-day
dawn) marking the 26th victory anniversary of the Islamic Revolution which
put an end to a 2,500-year-old history of monarchy in Iran in 1979.
The leader also paid tribute to those Iranian officials who were
martyred in a bomb explosion on Tir 7 (June 28, 1981).
On Tir 7 in 1981 ex-chief justice Ayatollah Mohammad Hosseini Beheshti
and 72 other officials were martyred in a bomb blast at the headquarters
of the former Islamic Republic party planted by the terrorist Mujahideen
Khalq Organization (MKO).
10-day dawn celebrations kicked off throughout Iran on Monday and will
continue till February 10.
