Iran, 1998

The light of

human existence is kindled by man's longing for

salvation. The essence of the message of divine prophets

and the content of the teachings of prominent sages have

been primarily aimed at human salvation. It is painful to

observe in the arena of human history the deprivation and

abject misery of human beings; the deprivation of women,

men and children enslaved by the whims of the ruling

powers; and the ill fate of rulers deprived of compassion

and sympathy for their own nations. Hence, virtuous rule

and good governance have been evanescent in human

history.

Ironically, much too often will and freedom of

thought have been frustrated and liberty suffocated in the

name of salvation, and much too often salvation has been

portrayed as disposing of any and all restraints on

insatiable human desires. Reason and love have thus been

sacrificed at the altar of the whim. At times, liberty has

been trampled in the name of justice, and at other times

justice has been obliterated in the name of freedom. The

result has been humanityâs age-old deprivation from both

justice in liberty and liberty in justice.

It is only a few centuries since genuine knowledge

began to be construed as the source of power rather than

an agent of its control. Ever since, knowledge, instead of

serving human salvation and exalting human character,

has been used as an instrument in the hands of those

whose only object is to advance their own narrow,

utilitarian self-interest.

Despite its magnificent progress, humanity has

suffered massively over these centuries from

discrimination and anguish. Survivors are still among us

who can testify to the incalculable destruction caused by

the two world wars, and despite the birth of the United

Nations — a positive achievement for mankind — true

peace based on justice still remains a scarcity.

Particularly desperate is the situation of the countries

in the underdeveloped world, where so many still suffer

from famine, illiteracy and disease, and some remain at

the mercy of rulers who do not even take the trouble of

pretending to respect democratic standards or enjoy

popular support. So often they attempt to replace the

absence of popular support by dependence on power

whose sole purpose is the pursuit of domination and self-

interest.

Oppressive and dependent governments deny their

people the opportunity to experience democracy by

perpetuating intimidation and terror in society, and they

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promote a culture of violence which inadvertently leads

their opponents to resort to the same. The powers that breed

and nurture such regimes can therefore not escape blame.

Primarily responsible here are those powers whose

intelligence services take pride in their dark record of

overthrowing popular governments and supporting

unpopular ones.

This image of our world is indeed grim and repulsive.

Until the day that the wise and the learned wrest the reins

of power from the unwise and the capricious, this image

cannot at all be transformed.

Nonetheless, in my opinion, beyond the darkness and

doom, genuine beauty can still be discerned in the deeper

layers of history. I can assert with certitude that, on the

whole, human life has blossomed spiritually and materially.

Anti-colonial struggles and independence movements of

many nations in this century exemplify this blossoming and

progress. The collapse of the bipolar world order in the

final decade of this century and the swift march of the

world towards diversity, coupled with renewed assertion of

identity in the international arena by nations demanding

equality, are other significant achievements in this direction.

The fantasy of a unipolar world ruled by a single

super-Power is but an illusion, indicating the failure of its

holders to keep pace with history. I am confident that

powerful nations, such as the American people, will not

accept that their good name, potential and national prestige

be exploited for the advancement of the dream of a

unipolar world by the politicians, motivated by the short-

sighted material and factional interests of a few. The

evolution of public opinion in the West in support of

peaceful relations on the basis of mutual respect testifies to

this assertion.

Now allow me to speak here as a man from the East,

the origin of brilliant civilizations and the birthplace of

divine prophets — Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Mohammed,

peace be upon them all. I come from the noble land of Iran,

representing a great and renowned nation famed for its

ancient civilization, as well as for its distinguished

contribution to the founding and expansion of the Islamic

civilization, a nation that has survived the strong winds of

despotism, reaction and submission, relying on its cultural

and human wealth. It is a nation which pioneered in the

East the establishment of civil society and constitutional

government in the course of its contemporary history, even

though, as a result of foreign interference and domestic

deficiencies, at times it may have faltered in its course; a

nation which has been at the forefront of the struggle for

independence and against colonialism, although its

national movement was subverted by a foreign-

orchestrated coup. And it is a nation which carries the

torch of its popular revolution, not won by force of arms

or a coup, but by dethroning a regime of coup dâétat

through the power of the enlightened word. In the course

of its new experience, our nation has endured eight years

of an imposed war, pressure, sanctions and various unfair

accusations. It has also fallen victim to terrorism, the

ominous phenomenon of the twentieth century.

Today, the Iranian nation draws on its past to

contemplate a better future, while defying reactionary

tendencies and, backed by principles and ideals rooted in

its religious, national, historical and revolutionary heritage

and benefiting from positive achievements of

contemporary civilization, marches, be it through trial and

error, towards a promising tomorrow.

The Islamic revolution of the Iranian people was a

revolt of reason against coercion and suppression.

Certainly, a revolution which resorted to logic in the

phase of destruction is much better disposed to resort to

dialogue and reason in the phase of construction. Hence,

it calls for a dialogue among civilizations and cultures

instead of a clash between them.

From this rostrum and the pulpit of the United

Nations, I announce that humanity, despite all calamities

and hardships, is heading towards emancipation and

liberty. This is the unalterable divine providence and

human destiny. The malice and depravity of no individual

can ever violate divine providence and the course of

history.

The word “history” predates “philosophy”, and man

is the pillar of history. History itself is the reflection of

the light of being upon various facets and dimensions of

human existence. Thus, it is a unique and universal entity,

albeit diverse in nature. Whenever this unique entity takes

on a new guise, a new era is ushered in. Our assessment

of history indeed emanates from our perception of

humanity — its pivot and pillar.

Human beings, who, in the Persian poet Saadiâs

eloquent description borrowed from a saying of the holy

Prophet of Islam, are various organs of the same body,

are outside the reach of biology or psychology.

Understanding human beings requires a philosophical and

reflective view of man and history. God created man with

His own hand and in His own image, and He breathed

into him of His own spirit, and thus humanity is but a

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single entity, and so is its history. The hand of God granted

humankind history, will and freedom of choice; the image

of God provided him culture, spirituality and liberty; and

the spirit of God bestowed upon him life and vitality. Thus,

human beings have come to possess history, culture and

liberty.

Not only do all human beings originate from one and

the same origin and share a continuous and integrated

history, but also one may further postulate a single final

purpose. This purpose of history is none other than spiritual

culture, and genuine human liberty is its absolute

prerequisite.

Whether or not one subscribes to the view that man is

doomed to whirl in iterative historical cycles or to grapple

with historical moments or epochs, and whether or not one

holds history to be self-driven, driven by human urges, by

modes of production or by superhuman heroes, everyone

can agree that it is only the ever-inspiring fountain of faith

that breaks every old and new shackle from humanity and

arrests the iterative eternal cycle, eventually emancipating

humankind from the bounds of historical determinism, just

as it is only the vivifying breeze of liberty that can offer

faith and spirituality to humanity.

It is thus that humankind could, in consonance with

the mystic Persian poet Hafez, serenade that

“I will subvert this high inverted vault if it should ere

rotate 'gainst my dictate.”

Or, in the words of the Gospel according to Saint Mark,

if one had faith in God one could say to the mountain

“Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea” (The

Holy Bible, Mark 11:23)

Through such an understanding of freedom, the tenets

of human dignity can be upheld in the face of political

domination and virtue, and hope against baneful blasts of

despair and nihilism. Here, one can discern the trajectory of

history towards liberty.

The history of humankind is the history of liberty.

Only that interpretation which describes history as the arena

for manifestation of liberty can provide an opening of the

past for the benefit of mankind. Regardless of all

philosophical systems that have attempted to attribute

meanings, directions and laws of evolution to history, we

can realize that because human history is intertwined with

the history of liberty, when human beings are liberated

from imposed constraints of exploitation and social

enslavement, as well as from unrefined animal instincts

such as violence and savagery, they will then side with

truth and justice in line with their human nature. Thence,

human history shall become the glorious history of truth

and realization of justice. And this could be another

expression of the famous religious doctrine of

Messianism.

Whether we embark on an empirical and inductive

study of history or an intuitive one, most thinkers would

agree that the essence of humanity has flourished and that

more veils of ignorance have been removed from the

minds of human beings.

I have deliberately used the word “flourished”

instead of the more common terms, such as “historical

progress”, in order to emphasize that, whatever school of

philosophy of history we may follow, we can still share

an understanding of this general and universal conception

of history.

The establishment and continued functioning of the

United Nations is a testament to the progressive path of

the world and of human history. Today it does not require

much argument to establish that instead of war and

bloodshed one could and indeed ought to resort to

discourse and dialogue. That fact has not been achieved

easily, as if the bloodstained history of humanity forms an

antecedent to this seemingly simple proposition.

Yet so long as imprudent potentates can obliterate

flowers and trees, hope and mirth from the face of the

Earth with a quick stroke of their folly and cruelty, it is

premature to celebrate the ultimate triumph of the Logos

over the sword.

The twentieth century did not only witness the

manifestations of violence and human sufferings at the

hands of old colonialists and the unprecedented injustice

of their modern heirs; it was also the century of the rise

and fall of totalitarian regimes. Let us hope that in the

coming century resort to force and violence shall not be

glorified and that the essence of political power shall be

compassion and justice, externally manifested in dialogue

between civilizations.

The question is how the United Nations may take

the necessary measures to respond to this evolving global

climate, and what impact it will have on the changing

course of the life of mankind longing for salvation.

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I would like to propose, in the name of the Islamic

Republic of Iran, that the United Nations, as a first step,

designate the year 2001 as the “Year of Dialogue Among

Civilizations”, in the earnest hope that through such a

dialogue the realization of universal justice and liberty may

be initiated.

Among the worthiest achievements of this century is

the acceptance of the necessity and significance of dialogue

and the rejection of force, the promotion of understanding

in the cultural, economic and political fields, and the

strengthening of the foundations of liberty, justice and

human rights. The establishment and enhancement of

civility, whether at the national or international level, is

contingent upon dialogue among societies and civilizations

representing various views, inclinations and approaches. If

humanity, at the threshold of the new century and

millennium, devotes all its efforts to institutionalizing

dialogue, replacing hostility and confrontation with

discourse and understanding, it will leave an invaluable

legacy for the benefit of future generations.

Similarly, it is necessary that as members of the

United Nations we revisit the history of the formation of

this Organization, with a view to reforming and improving

the institution through a rational exchange of views.

The United Nations took shape in a dark era of human

history, when many of its current members were still

experiencing the bitter and abominable conditions of

colonial rule. As a consequence, the new Organization

reflected the domination of the powerful few. Things have

changed now, and the opportunity has presented itself to

restructure this Organization, particularly its Security

Council. Here I would like to refer to the wise statement of

the leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran in his inaugural

address to the Eighth Session of the Islamic Summit

Conference, held in Tehran, that the Islamic countries,

representing one billion and several hundred million people,

should acquire a permanent seat in the United Nations

Security Council, with the same privileges as current

permanent members, as long as they are enjoyed by those

members.

The time has come to reject, through understanding,

the discriminatory veto privilege, and in so doing take

another step towards the recognition of fair and equal rights

of all Member States.

Let us all join hands in solidarity against genocide,

aggression and the humiliation of mankind in various

corners of the world. Let us prevent the continuation of

shameful tragedies which have tarnished the face of this

century in Palestine, Afghanistan and Kosovo, and in

many other parts of Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Peace and security in the Middle East, imperative as

they are, will only be established through the recognition

of the right of all Palestinians to exercise sovereignty over

their ancestral homeland. The presently occupied Al-Quds

al-Sharif ought to be the house of dialogue and

understanding. Resonating from the depth of history, its

voice speaks intrinsically against racism and Zionism.

Great monotheistic religions can live peacefully together

in Al-Quds al-Sharif, but it is the very Israeli rule that has

made such a coexistence impossible. Palestine is the

home of all Palestinians — Muslims, Christians and

Jews — and not a laboratory for the violent whims of

Zionists.

In Afghanistan, there is no military solution to that

countryâs predicament. The universal outrage at the

massacre and genocide being perpetrated there —

particularly the tragic killing of Iranian diplomats and a

journalist, as well as at the continued captivity of the

Iranian aid workers in the hands of the Taliban — calls

for sober analysis and expeditious action to bring the

perpetrators of these crimes to justice.

Afghanistan, the land of people of dignity and

culture, has now been turned into a haven for violence,

terrorism and the production of and trafficking in

narcotics. The Afghan people, as other peoples in the

world, have the inalienable right to determine their own

destiny and the right to enjoy a broad-based Government

representing all ethnic groups, communities and

tendencies in that country. This is the only way to restore

tranquillity in Afghanistan. This requires resolute

international cooperation in order to inhibit the lucrative

and deadly business of producing and smuggling

narcotics, illicit trafficking in weapons and cultivation of

terrorism. The United Nations, in cooperation with the

Organization of the Islamic Conference and all concerned

States, should bring all the parties to the conflict to the

negotiating table, paving the way for the tyrannized and

destitute Afghan people to freely determine their own

destiny and, backed by solemn global support, should

bring the rogue elements into compliance with the will of

the international community. Simultaneously the

Organization should plan for the mobilization of requisite

international assistance for the reconstruction of

Afghanistan once the necessary political conditions are in

place.

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In Kosovo, the legitimate rights of the embattled

people should be recognized, and the Yugoslav Government

should be made to respect these rights.

Honest and sincere efforts to combat terrorism in all

its forms and manifestations, including state terrorism,

constitute another important priority for the Government of

the Islamic Republic of Iran. Terrorism is a product of

desperation and nihilism. In a world swirling in the orbit of

violence and oppression, serious combat against terrorism

will not advance beyond the realm of words and slogans.

The eradication of terrorism must be concurrent with a

global search for justice.

This assertion should in no way be interpreted as a

justification for any form of terrorism. As required by our

religious, moral and cultural values and norms, we

unequivocally oppose all forms and manifestations of

terrorism, and we shall combat it vigorously and earnestly.

In our view, in order to eradicate this menace, we should

engage in serious and transparent international cooperation

to combat terrorism, and at the same time redouble our

efforts to attain the objective of global justice.

At the threshold of the third millennium, the world

also needs to be liberated from the nightmare of nuclear

war and weapons of mass destruction. Recent nuclear tests

in our region, which have led to further complications,

make this all the more imperative. We should all realize

that the idea of attaining security through the acquisition of

such armaments is nothing but an illusion.

The manifestation of a resolute global determination

to eliminate all existing arsenals of weapons of mass

destruction within an agreed time-frame would provide a

clear objective and lend credence and add dynamism to the

international efforts against the production and proliferation

of these deadly weapons. The establishment of zones free

from weapons of mass destruction, particularly in the

Middle East, constitutes an appropriate first step in

alleviating tension and mistrust emanating from these

weapons. We in the Islamic Republic of Iran, as victims of

the use of weapons of mass destruction, are more cognizant

than anyone else of their horrifying impact. We shall thus

stay at the forefront of international efforts to establish and

strengthen universal arrangements for their destruction.

Security, development and prosperity in the third

world require the promotion of cooperation and the

utilization of proven arrangements and mechanisms for

confidence-building. In this regard, it is encouraging that

the Eighth Islamic Summit Conference in Tehran, cognizant

of this necessity, established an appropriate mechanism to

foster confidence through dialogue among Islamic

countries.

As a first step in this direction, I invite our

neighbours in the Persian Gulf region, who have

witnessed two destructive wars in the span of one decade,

to establish a security and cooperation system in the area.

In short, confidence and peace cannot be attained

without a sober revision of the mentality of the cold war.

The advancement and promotion of a culture of peace is

contingent upon the recognition of the constructive role of

nations coupled with avoidance of domination,

unilateralism, confrontation and exclusion.

The Islamic Republic of Iran, in keeping with its

fundamental beliefs and deep-rooted heritage of

civilization, seeks a world blessed with peace and

tranquillity based on human dignity. It has accorded the

highest priority in its foreign policy to the removal of

tension. In line with the principles of the Islamic

revolution, Iran is determined to follow its balanced

policy of expanding relations with its neighbours and

other countries on the basis of respect for independence

and equality of rights.

Comprehensive peace, over and above peace among

human beings, also calls for peace between mankind and

nature, which in turn requires that mankind bring to a halt

the systematic devouring of nature and instead emphasizes

the coordination of man and nature. The preservation of

the environment, as the common natural heritage of

mankind, constitutes a most important priority of the

coming century.

Before concluding, I would like to emphasize the

paramount role of the family, women and youth in the

making of a better tomorrow and the consolidation of the

foundations of civil society throughout the globe.

The family is the unique setting for human progress

and the development of the personal and social identity of

individuals. Regrettably, today, especially in the

industrialized countries, the foundations of home and

family have been undermined, threatening the emotional,

material and spiritual health of human life. A global effort

is required to confront this danger, lest the flames of this

centre of warmth, affection and education be gradually

dimmed by the cold and vicious winds of alluring

facades, lust and material gain.

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Efforts at the global level geared to the promotion and

strengthening of respect for women and their rights require

a critical reassessment of the traditional and inappropriate

views about women. The traditional outlook, based on the

erroneous notion of the superiority of men over women,

does injustice to men, women and humanity as a whole.

Equally nefarious is the view that disregards the differences

between men and women. We should recognize that both

men and women are valuable components of humanity who

equally possess the potential for intellectual, social, cultural

and political development, and that comprehensive and

sustainable development is possible only through the active

participation of both men and women in social life.

At the threshold of the new millennium, the United

Nations should have faith in the new generation, to whom

the next century belongs. It should thus be prepared to

accept and embrace the requirements of believing in youth.

Let us bring ourselves to accept that we are not custodians

of youth and that the young do have the right to enjoy the

social process of growth and development, a right they

should exercise consciously and wilfully. With such a new

perspective, and drawing upon the dynamic ability and

intellectual capability of the new generation, we can

together chart a much better and brighter future for the next

century.