lennart
09-02-03, 14:42
Iran allocates $1.5 million to anti-US propaganda campaign
The Iranian parliament has allocated another $1.5 million to an ongoing anti-American campaign, which aims to counter US “conspiracies and acts of interference in Iran's internal affairs,” and to inform “world public opinion on America's cultural onslaught," reported official news agency IRNA.
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated Saturday, February 8, that the US is “headed for destruction because of its policies.” In addition to their media drive, the Iranians are also planning to file lawsuits against the US in the International Court of Justice, reported AP.
Having labeled Iran a part of the ‘axis of evil,’ alongside Iraq and North Korea, the administration of President George W. Bush has itself funded a propaganda campaign against Iran. Bush accuses Iran of seeking to develop weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and of supporting terror.
The Washington Post reported Saturday that American officials had secretly met Iranian diplomats in Europe, seeking to secure a pledge of non-interference in the case of a US-led military strake against Iraq. Iranian government spokesman Abdollah Ramezanzadeh categorically denied the reports to AFP.
Tehran and Washington have had no diplomatic relations since the 1979 Islamic revolution, when the American embassy in Tehran was attacked by local students. — (menareport.com)
--------------------------------------------
Spokesman: Iran getting ready for “worst scenarios”
09-02-2003, 11:19
The Islamic Republic of Iran is preparing itself for the worst scenarios as the “clock ticks” for a probable American attack against Iraq, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi said in Tehran Sunday.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran is prepared for the worst scenarios. Thus, our plans have been arranged so that, God willing, the Islamic Republic will not face an unexpected situation or probable negative results (of the war)," Asefi told reporters, according to the official IRNA news agency.
When asked what Tehran would do if war broke out, Asefi, however, emphasized that there was still room for diplomatic alternatives and that Iran hoped the crisis would be settled by peaceful means.
"Diplomatic means have not been exhausted yet. There are still many alternatives which must be utilized," he said.
"That a war falls out or does not, depends on many factors," the spokesman said, adding, "We hope the issue is conducted towards a direction that it is resolved peacefully."
Asefi restated his country’s opposition to war, saying, "We do not accept any attack against an Islamic country." According to the news agency, Asefi also called on Iraq to cooperate with the UN weapons inspectors. (Albawaba.com)
The Iranian parliament has allocated another $1.5 million to an ongoing anti-American campaign, which aims to counter US “conspiracies and acts of interference in Iran's internal affairs,” and to inform “world public opinion on America's cultural onslaught," reported official news agency IRNA.
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated Saturday, February 8, that the US is “headed for destruction because of its policies.” In addition to their media drive, the Iranians are also planning to file lawsuits against the US in the International Court of Justice, reported AP.
Having labeled Iran a part of the ‘axis of evil,’ alongside Iraq and North Korea, the administration of President George W. Bush has itself funded a propaganda campaign against Iran. Bush accuses Iran of seeking to develop weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and of supporting terror.
The Washington Post reported Saturday that American officials had secretly met Iranian diplomats in Europe, seeking to secure a pledge of non-interference in the case of a US-led military strake against Iraq. Iranian government spokesman Abdollah Ramezanzadeh categorically denied the reports to AFP.
Tehran and Washington have had no diplomatic relations since the 1979 Islamic revolution, when the American embassy in Tehran was attacked by local students. — (menareport.com)
--------------------------------------------
Spokesman: Iran getting ready for “worst scenarios”
09-02-2003, 11:19
The Islamic Republic of Iran is preparing itself for the worst scenarios as the “clock ticks” for a probable American attack against Iraq, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi said in Tehran Sunday.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran is prepared for the worst scenarios. Thus, our plans have been arranged so that, God willing, the Islamic Republic will not face an unexpected situation or probable negative results (of the war)," Asefi told reporters, according to the official IRNA news agency.
When asked what Tehran would do if war broke out, Asefi, however, emphasized that there was still room for diplomatic alternatives and that Iran hoped the crisis would be settled by peaceful means.
"Diplomatic means have not been exhausted yet. There are still many alternatives which must be utilized," he said.
"That a war falls out or does not, depends on many factors," the spokesman said, adding, "We hope the issue is conducted towards a direction that it is resolved peacefully."
Asefi restated his country’s opposition to war, saying, "We do not accept any attack against an Islamic country." According to the news agency, Asefi also called on Iraq to cooperate with the UN weapons inspectors. (Albawaba.com)