IRAN ANALYSTS DISMISSED THE IMPORTANCE OF LEADER’S ATTACK ON US
TEHRAN 26 Sep. (IPS) Mounting Wednesday his favourite fighting horse, Iran’s leader Ayatollah Ali Khameneh’i lashed out at the United States and reiterated that his country would provide no help to Washington in its quest for organizing an international coalition fighting terrorism.
"Iran will provide no help to America and its allies to attack the
suffering, miserable neighbour Muslim Afghanistan", Mr. Khameneh’i told
the families of war veterans and martyrs of the Iran-Iraq War.
"We do not trust America. We do not think America has the competence and sincerity to lead an international move against terrorism, as the world most dangerous terrorists are sitting next to it", he said, referring to Israel.
Analysts told Iran Press Service that the sudden change in political atmosphere in Iran was the result of decisions reached by the regime’s leaders at the Tuesday’s meeting of the Supreme Council for National Security (SCNS).
The meeting, chaired by Ayatollah Khameneh’i, was convened as Mr. Jack Straw, the British Foreign Minister was in Tehran "briefing" Iranian interlocutors on American plans concerning Mr. Osama Ben Laden, the prime suspect in the deadly 11 September terrorist operations in New York and Washington.
Though nothing was revealed from the discussions, attended also by President Mohammad Khatami, Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani, the Chairman of the powerful Expediency Council and Hojjatoleslam Hasan Rohani, the SCNS’ secretary, but sources said the division of jobs set in place immediately after the devastating terrorist operations was confirmed.
At the meeting, the source said, Mr. Hashemi-Rafsanjani pointed that the recent developments, praises poured in the West on Iran’s condemnation of terrorism, expressions of sympathy with the Americans by Iranian officials and people and the country’s possible collaboration with the United States as well as the coming and going of foreign diplomats has seriously upset the conservatives, anxious to see the Islamic Republic falling into the American lap.
"To assure them, it was decided that Mr. Khameneh’i would call the shot, but doors would remain open to dialogue with American allies, with the government continuing to play the same tune", the source added.
"Israeli leaders are all terrorists, not only they have ordered killing of innocent people, but they have participated in the massacres. Thus America has its hands deep in blood for all the crimes committed by the Zionist regime", the staunchly anti-American, anti-Israeli leader said.
He was speaking two days after Secretary of State Colin Powell said Iran should halt its support for what he called terrorism if it wanted to be a part of a U.S.-led coalition hunting down the perpetrators of September 11 attacks on the United States.
"You can't pick your favorite terrorist'', the British news agency Reuters quoted Mr. Powel as having said Monday in Washington. "If you (Iran) want to be part of this small coalition then you have to change some of the patterns of the past supporting terrorism".
Iran is on the American list of "rogue states" supporting terrorism and under economic sanctions.
Iranian leaders, including Mr. Khameneh’i have stressed times and again that they might support an international force to combat terrorism in case it is led by the United Nations and warned that any invasion of the already war-torn and ruined Afghanistan would add "a catastrophe to another one".
Ayatollah Khameneh’i made a direct reference to Mr. Powell's "arrogant" remarks, saying: "American officials say all terrorists are the same and there are no good or bad terrorists, but they themselves have double-standards on terrorism''.
But Iranian analysts said the same remark was true for the Islamic Republic as well, as it clearly distinguishes between acts of terrorism against Israeli citizens in Israel and those committed in Iran by the Baghdad-based, Iraqi supported, armed and trained Mojahedeen Khalq Organisation.
"They expect the entire world to help them because their interests demand. Do you ever care about others' interests", the Iranian leader asked, to chants of "death of America" and "death to Israel".
Since the 11 September crushing of passenger airlines into the World Trade Center towers in New York and another one over the Pentagon in Washington, it was the first time that these slogans were heard in Tehran.
Mr. Khameneh’i said American could not be trusted because its aim is to strengthen its position in Central Asia.
"These are the characteristics that make America so hated in the world", he noted, as all Central Asian newly independent republics announced they would open their military airports and airspaces to American forces.
However, as he had done before, Mr. Khameneh’i condemned terrorism, calling for a "serious fight and a holy war to combat terrorism".
"It is not that any one who is with you is against terrorism and those who are against you are for it'', he said, adding: ‘‘we are neither with you nor with the terrorists''.
Taking cue from the leader, Mr. Khatami also on Wednesdayattacked the US, branding President George W. Bush as "arrogant".
Criticising Mr. Bush’s ultimatum to all the world nations in an earlier address, warning that "Either you are with us or with the terrorists", Mr. Khatami said "a powerful human being can become so arrogant, that he thinks he can distinguish between good or bad on his own". ENDS KHAMENEH’I US EXPLOSIONS 26901