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Iran calls for unity as Islamic ministers gather
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Copyright ) 1997 Nando.net
Copyright ) 1997 Agence France-Presse
TEHRAN (December 6, 1997 11:53 a.m. EST http://www.nando.net) - Iranian
Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi called Saturday for peaceful coexistence
among Islamic countries as foreign ministers from around the Muslim
world gathered ahead of next week's OIC summit.
"Multiplicity, unity, peaceful coexistence and future development of the
Islamic world in the 21st century" were the themes of the gathering
which opened with recitals of verses from the Koran.
"The Islamic civilization is enjoying a very specific and fruitful
regeneration and we need to ensure the political progress, economic
development and active cooperation for a civil and just society,"
Kharazi said.
The message of unity was echoed by OIC secretary general Ezzedin Laraki.
"I hope the Tehran summit will lead to greater participation by the
Muslim world in efforts to establish peace and security around the
world," he said.
Kharazi, elected as chairman of the two-day meeting ahead of the
December 9-11 summit of the 55-nation Organization of Islamic
Conference, highlighted four major challenges facing the Islamic world:
Palestine, Qods (Jerusalem), Bosnia and Afghanistan.
The ministers are to review 142 draft resolutions adopted during experts
meetings this week, many of which condemn the United States and Israeli
"crimes, expansionism and threats" to the Muslim world.
Others concern the creation of a Islamic common market, human rights,
women's and children's rights as well as coordinating the fight against
terrorism.
The eighth OIC summit is the biggest event in Tehran since the 1979
Islamic revolution and Iran hopes a large turnout will frustrate US
efforts to isolate the Islamic republic.
"The Tehran summit will thwart American efforts at isolating Iran," said
General Rahim Safavi, commander of the elite Revolutionary Guards. "The
summit will boost the Islamic republic's stature and reputation."
In a reference to a unilateral US embargo against Iran, Kharazi warned
of a "rising tide of unilateralism from certain powerful members of the
international community."
Tehran is also hoping to restore its tarnished international image and
present itself as an influential regional power broker.
Kharazi called for a "genuine and authentic picture of Islam to be
presented to the world to counter negative images" propagated by the
West.
Authorities have ordered schools and government offices closed during
the summit and have announced a huge security clampdown in northern
Tehran.
"America and Israel are always trying to show Iran as an unsecure
country, but the organization of this summit proves the opposite," said
Safavi, whose forces are in charge of security.
Police ordered many roads to be shut from Monday until the end of the
summit on Thursday night, along with petrol stations on the route from
the airport into the city, state radio said.
Iran also hopes the gathering will help to improve relations between the
Islamic republic and several former enemies in the Arab world.
"The Arab countries have received Iran's message of friendship and
goodwill and they are responding positively," said Mohammad Sadr,
Iranian deputy foreign minister for North African and Arab affairs.
Iran and Iraq, which are still to recover from their 1980-1988 war,
expressed a desire to normalize ties in talks here between their foreign
ministers.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Mussa said his country, which has had
strained relations with Iran since the revolution, hoped to seal warmer
ties as soon as possible.
"I hope relations between Iran and Egypt will reach their highest level.
We are optimistic about the future," said Mussa.
Diplomatic ties were severed in 1979, the same year that Egypt signed a
peace treaty with Israel.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal is due here on Monday with
Crown Prince Abdallah ibn Abdel Aziz.
Until recently, Iran accused the Saudis of representing a "reactionary"
version of Islam favored by the United States, and Riyadh charged that
the Islamic republic sought to export its revolution to the conservative
kingdom.
-- By MEHRDAD BALALI, Agence France-Presse
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