ID :
146249
Sat, 10/16/2010 - 22:09
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/146249
The shortlink copeid
Military operations fuel extremism: Iran FM
TEHRAN, Oct. 16 (MNA) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki says military operations, blind bombardments, and increase in the number of foreign forces have fanned the flames of extremism in the region.
Mottaki made the remarks as he addressing the “Friends of Democratic Pakistan” day-long meeting in the Belgian capital Brussels on Friday.
Mottaki was indirectly referring to NATO and United States’ heavy military engagements in Afghanistan and drone attacks on tribal areas in neighboring Pakistan.
Pakistan is a victim of terrorism
The Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FoDP) was set up as a forum in September 2008 to support the country’s efforts to build a peaceful, prosperous democracy.
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, Pakistani Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, and U.S. special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke were the co-hosts of the gathering.
Despite Pakistan’s potential for economic development, it has become “the victim of terrorism and insecurity,” Mottaki added.
The Iranian foreign minister also expressed Iran’s solidarity with the Pakistani nation and government and urged all states to send more humanitarian aid to the flood-ridden country.
The floods, which began in late July, made more than 10 million people homeless and affected 21 million.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Mottaki cited drug and human trafficking, extremism, terrorism and organized crime as the major headaches in the region.
Germany seeks release of nationals held in Iran
Iran’s foreign minister also held separate talks with his German, Canadian, Turkish counterparts on the sidelines of the conference.
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle pleaded Mottaki to help release two German nationals arrested in Iran. However, Mottaki said the issue should go through legal procedures.
Posing as reporters, the Germans interviewed the son of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, a woman arrested on charges of murder and adultery.
The two German nationals were arrested after a person close to the family notified authorities of their suspicious behavior.
“The two Germans have acknowledged their offence, saying that claiming to be journalists was not right,” National Prosecutor General Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei told reporters on Thursday.
West imposing its definition of human rights
Moreover, Manouchehr Mottaki met with Canadian Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon in which he criticized the West for trying to impose its own version of human rights on other countries.
In another meeting, the Iranian top diplomat conferred with his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu and called for expansion of bilateral economic cooperation within the framework of the Iran-Turkey joint commission.
Mottaki made the remarks as he addressing the “Friends of Democratic Pakistan” day-long meeting in the Belgian capital Brussels on Friday.
Mottaki was indirectly referring to NATO and United States’ heavy military engagements in Afghanistan and drone attacks on tribal areas in neighboring Pakistan.
Pakistan is a victim of terrorism
The Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FoDP) was set up as a forum in September 2008 to support the country’s efforts to build a peaceful, prosperous democracy.
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, Pakistani Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, and U.S. special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke were the co-hosts of the gathering.
Despite Pakistan’s potential for economic development, it has become “the victim of terrorism and insecurity,” Mottaki added.
The Iranian foreign minister also expressed Iran’s solidarity with the Pakistani nation and government and urged all states to send more humanitarian aid to the flood-ridden country.
The floods, which began in late July, made more than 10 million people homeless and affected 21 million.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Mottaki cited drug and human trafficking, extremism, terrorism and organized crime as the major headaches in the region.
Germany seeks release of nationals held in Iran
Iran’s foreign minister also held separate talks with his German, Canadian, Turkish counterparts on the sidelines of the conference.
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle pleaded Mottaki to help release two German nationals arrested in Iran. However, Mottaki said the issue should go through legal procedures.
Posing as reporters, the Germans interviewed the son of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, a woman arrested on charges of murder and adultery.
The two German nationals were arrested after a person close to the family notified authorities of their suspicious behavior.
“The two Germans have acknowledged their offence, saying that claiming to be journalists was not right,” National Prosecutor General Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei told reporters on Thursday.
West imposing its definition of human rights
Moreover, Manouchehr Mottaki met with Canadian Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon in which he criticized the West for trying to impose its own version of human rights on other countries.
In another meeting, the Iranian top diplomat conferred with his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu and called for expansion of bilateral economic cooperation within the framework of the Iran-Turkey joint commission.
