Dy FM: Iran Backs All Freedom, Independence Seeking Nations

Madrid, Dec 8, IRNA – Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Ali-Asghar Khaji who is in Bolivia said Friday that Tehran with all its capabilities supports entire countries that are truly trying to gain independence and freedom. According to IRNA, Khaji made the comments on Thursday evening local time, Friday Iran time, at a gathering of Bolivian thinkers and university students in Latin American country Bolivia's capital city, La Paz, adding, 'The emergence of movements that are spending efforts aimed at defending the real identities of their nations in nay part of the word, including in Latin American countries, is a very precious phenomenon, and Iran considers supporting them a pride for itself.' According to the Spanish international EFE news agency, Khaji added, 'Ever since the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran our country has always been defending those movements in various countries that have risen for the liberation of their nations and we have ties to provide them with our entire possible economic and scientific capabilities and resources.' Khaji added, 'The present day movements in some Middle East countries today, too, are the campaign of the nations aimed at regaining their real identities against the imported western cultures.' Elsewhere in his comments, the Iranian deputy foreign minister said that Iran would fight back mightily against any possible invasion and defend itself most competently. The Iranian diplomat all the same noted that the Iranian nation is quite a peace loving nation that has never waged any war in the world, to an extent that during the course of the past two centuries we have never invaded against any country, but been the victim of an eight-year imposed war by Saddam, who was backed by the United States, 'and therefore, we know very well how to defend ourselves.' The deputy FM reiterated, 'The present day military threats against Iran pursue psychological objectives and we hope no one would be so mad and so silly to invade Iran, because our response to such an invasion would make them bitterly repent.' He reiterated, 'Iran has no real worries about such threats presently because throughout the course of the past 34 years antagonist movements against our country have always existed.' Khaji said, 'Some countries have wrongly assumed that by imposing pressure against Iran they would deprive us of getting access to our natural rights.' During his official three day visit of Bolivia, Khaji met and conferred with various Bolivian officials, including Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota, and Parliament Speaker Richard Kredel, which had broad reflection in Latin American media. Iran and Bolivia boosted their political relations ever since the year 2006 and ever since then the two countries have developed comprehensive political, economic and cultural ties. Iran has invested in Bolivian infrastructure and other projects. Iran's ambassador to Bolivia said his country would open two low-cost public health clinics in the country, which is South America's poorest. Iranian business attaché Hojjatollah Soltani said his country planned to use Bolivia as a base for future Red Crescent medical programs across the continent. In 2010, when Bolivia's President Morales visited Iran, he sought further investments in Bolivia, and 'expand ties, promote investments, and further enhance cooperation.' The trip also entailed discussion for a planned $287 million Iranian investment in Bolivia. This was preceded by a line of credit Iran extended to Bolivia for another $287 million as development aid, in particular for mineral exploration and the textile industry. He visited Iran again in 2008, and was expected to sign agreements on cooperation in cement production, industrial machinery, and food industry projects. Iranian Defense Minister General Ahmad Vahidi visited Bolivia at the behest of his Bolivian counterpart Maria Cecilia Chacon. After attending a military ceremony he said that 'Latin America is no longer the US' backyard and Iran will enhance its constructive relations with the regional countries.' He also called the visit 'successful' and that the two states would enhance their 'growing ties.'/end