Iran slams 'anti-terrorism' war

www.news24.com 25/01/2003 11:03  - (SA)  

New Delhi - Iran has condemned the "misuse" of the global campaign against terrorism that had created a situation of war, and has called for a peaceful resolution of the Iraq crisis.

"Unfortunately the world today is scarred by terror and terrorism," Iranian President Mohammad Khatami told reporters on Saturday in New Delhi after a ceremonial welcome at the presidential palace.

"The misuse of the present situation has created a situation of war."

Hope for peaceful resolution

Khatami did not elaborate, but added: "While we recommended to Iraq to abide by the UN Security Council resolutions, we hope there will be no war against Iraq. I hope the present situation would be solved without any war in a peaceful way."

Discussion on terrorism

Khatami arrived on Friday on a four-day official visit to India.

He is scheduled later on Saturday to hold talks with Indian leaders on issues such as terrorism, regional tensions and an oil pipeline.

Khatami, who is guest of honour at India's Republic Day celebrations on Sunday, is being accompanied by Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi, Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh, Defence Minister Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani and Science and Technology Minister Mostapha Moin.

Countries do not agree with unilateral action

Speaking to reporters before the official welcome, Kharazi, too, highlighted the need to avoid war in Iraq.

"Every country is very much concerned about the crisis in Iraq" and its impact on their national security, he said.

"We must do our best to avoid war in the region ... this is the time for multilateralism, not unilateralism."

When asked to comment about sharp differences between the United States and European countries including France and Germany on military action against Iraq, Kharazi said this proved European countries do not agree with "unilateral action," against Baghdad.

"European countries can play a very important role in advising the US ... European countries should insist on multilateralism," he said.

Eorpean concerns brushed aside

On Thursday, Germany and France urged "a peaceful and negotiated solution to conflicts, which is always preferable to the use of force and its disastrous consequences," while calling for UN weapons inspectors to be given more time to do their work in Iraq.

Washington however brushed aside the Franco-German statement saying the two countries were not representative of modern Europe.

On Friday, the UN's nuclear watchdog warned it needed several more months to complete weapons inspections in Iraq.

A spokesman for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said at its Vienna headquarters that it would ask the UN Security Council on Monday for more time to complete their job.

Oil price could rise dramatically

Also speaking to reporters at the official welcoming ceremony in New Delhi Saturday, Iranian Oil Minister Zanganeh warned that the price of oil could rocket in the event of a US-led war on Iraq.

"The price depends on political and military tension in the Middle East and elsewhere in Venezuela," where an opposition-sponsored strike to force President Hugo Chavez from office has crippled the oil industry.

Though there was currently no shortage of oil in the market, if Iraq stopped production there would be shortfall of about one and a half to two million barrels, Zanganeh warned.

"We hope not to witness it," he added.

When asked if Iran would increase production to ease the situation, the Iranian minister said Tehran would go along with the decision taken by members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries. - Sapa-AFP