US troops in Iraq worsens Iraqi crisis: Iranian president
13/1/2005 11:33
The continued presence of Americans is worsening the Iraqi crisis,
visiting Iranian President Mohammad Khatami said in Abuja Wednesday.
"Today
in Iraq, instead of peace, there is increased terror and instability. We are
against these continuous attacks," Khatami said.
Giving a lecture entitled
"Harmony, peace, equality and tolerance in a heterogeneous society" in Nigerian
capital Abuja, Khatami affirmed his country's quest for peace, but said that
such could only be rooted on the basis of justice.
He challenged the United
States to talk about cohesion, saying that the world must rise against violence
and terror.
Khatami emphasized on the need for a strong and secured African
continent, noting that such would also aid the Arab world's quest for
stability.
He lauded the New Partnership for Africa's Development project
aimed at the development of African nations and called for genuine pursuit of
its goals to emancipate the continent.
"From underdevelopment, Africa has
taken steps to pass through colonialism. This is commendable," he said.
He
urged African countries to strive for economic independence, saying that it was
only after that that they could enjoy full sovereignty.
The Iranian president
described Africa as "full of potentials" and called for concerted efforts to
exploit the resources.
Khatami, who started a three-day visit to Nigeria on
Tuesday, is expected to round off bilateral talks with his host on
Thursday.
He is the first Iranian president to visit
Nigeria.
Xinhua
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