Iran, 2005

Today, we have

gathered here to exchange views about the world, its

future and our common responsibilities towards it. It is

obvious that the future of the world is intertwined with

its current state and with the prevailing trends, which

exhibit signs of hope and despair.

On the one hand, certain hopes and opportunities

exist, and the General Assembly is convened on the

basis of those hopes. Today, human thought reflects

significant commonalities that provide an appropriate

foundation upon which to build. With the passing of

the era of agnostic philosophies, humanity is once

again united in celebrating monotheism and belief in

the Creator as the originator of existence. That is the

common thread that binds us all together. Faith will

prove to be the solution to many of todayís problems.

The truth will shine the light of faith and ethics on the

lives of human beings; it will prevent them from

engaging in aggression, coercion and injustice; and it

will guide them towards care and compassion for

fellow beings.

Another hope is found in the common global

appreciation of the sources of knowledge. Although

reason, experience and science are among the valuable

sources of knowledge, the darkness of the Middle Ages

prevented major portions of the Western world from

appreciating them. This reactionary tendency deprived

many of access to various scientific findings and

knowledge and led to the exclusion of other sources of

knowledge, namely God and knowledge based on

revelation from the life of human beings in the West ó

divine knowledge that was disseminated by such

prophets as Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and

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Mohammad. Today, agnostic thinking is on the decline

and humanity is equally enamoured of religion,

science, knowledge and spirituality. This is an

auspicious beginning.

Divine prophets teach us about proper regard for

the exalted state of human beings on earth. The human

being is blessed with dignity, manifested most

importantly in being the viceroy of the Almighty on

earth. The Almighty placed humans on earth to develop

it, to institutionalize justice, to overcome their egoistic

tendencies and to praise no lord but the Almighty.

Faith and good deeds can bring deliverance and the

good life, even in this world. Attaining this depend on

human will, that is, the will of each and every one of

us. We must heed the call of our common primordial

nature and achieve the realization of this good life.

On the other hand, the prevalence of military

domination; increasing poverty; the growing gap

between rich and poor countries; violence as a means

to resolve crises; the spread of terrorism, especially

State terrorism; the existence and proliferation of

weapons of mass destruction; the pervasive lack of

honesty in inter-State relations; and disregard for the

equal rights of peoples and nations in international

relations constitute some of the challenges and threats

facing us.

Although these challenges are very real, we

believe we are not predestined to experience them. Our

common will not only can change this course but, in

fact, can lead us to a life filled with hope and

prosperity. Divine revelation teaches us that

"The Almighty changes the fate of no people

unless they themselves show a will for change"

(The Holy Koran, XIII:11).

How can we influence the future of the world?

When and how will peace, tranquillity and well-being

for all come about? These are the fundamental

questions before us.

We believe that a sustainable order - in which

peace and tranquillity can flourish - can be realized

only on the basis of the two pillars of justice and

spirituality. The more human society departs from

justice and spirituality, the greater the insecurity it will

face, so much so that a relatively small crisis - such

as a natural disaster - can lead to various aberrations

and inhumane behaviour.

Unfortunately, the world is rife with

discrimination and poverty. Discrimination produces

hatred, war and terrorism. They all share the common

root of a lack of spirituality coupled with injustice.

Justice is about equal rights; the equitable

distribution of resources in the territories of different

States; the equality of all before the law; and respect

for international agreements. Justice recognizes the

right of all to tranquillity, peace and a dignified life.

Justice rejects intimidation and double standards. As

the eminent daughter of the Prophet of Islam said,

"Justice brings tranquillity to our hearts."

Today, the world longs for the establishment of

such justice. If humanity heeds the call of its

primordial nature with firm resolve, justice will follow.

That is what the Almighty has promised and what all

people of goodwill from all religions are waiting for. If

the prevailing discourse of global relations becomes

one of justice and spirituality, then durable peace will

be guaranteed.

Conversely, if international relations are defined

without justice or spirituality and are void of moral

considerations, then mechanisms for promoting

confidence and peace will remain insufficient and

ineffective.

If some, relying on their superior military and

economic might, attempt to expand their rights and

privileges, they will be performing a great disservice to

the cause of peace and, in fact, will fuel the arms race

and spread insecurity, fear and deception. If global

trends continue to serve the interests of small,

influential groups, even the interests of the citizens of

powerful countries will be jeopardized, as was seen

during recent crises and natural disasters such as the

recent tragedy of Hurricane Katrina.

Today my nation calls on other nations and

Governments to move forward towards a durable

tranquillity and peace based on justice and spirituality.

The Islamic Republic of Iran was born of a

movement based on the pure, primordial nature of a

people who rose up to regain their dignity, esteem and

human rights. The Islamic revolution toppled a regime

which had been put in place through a coup and that

was being supported by those who claim to be

advocates of democracy and human rights. For 25

years they thwarted the aspirations of the nation to

development and progress through the intimidation and

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torture of the population and submission and

subservience to outsiders.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is the manifestation

of true democracy in the region. The discourse of the

Iranian nation is focused on respect for the rights of

human beings and on a quest for tranquillity, peace,

justice and development for all through monotheism.

For eight years, Saddam's regime imposed a

massive war of aggression and occupation on my

people. It employed the most heinous weapons of mass

destruction - including chemical weapons - against

Iranians and Iraqis alike. But who, in fact, armed

Saddam with those weapons? What was the reaction of

those who now claim to fight against weapons of mass

destruction to the use of chemical weapons back then?

The world is witness to the fact that the Islamic

Republic of Iran, because of its humanitarian

principles - even during the most trying of times and

when it was sustaining the highest number of

casualties - never allowed itself to use such weapons.

Thousands of nuclear warheads stockpiled in various

locations, coupled with programmes to further develop

these inhuman weapons, have created a new

atmosphere of repression and the rule of the machines

of war, threatening the international community and

even the citizens of the countries that possess them.

Ironically, those that have actually used nuclear

weapons and continue to produce, stockpile and

extensively test such weapons; that have used depleted

uranium bombs and bullets against tens, perhaps

hundreds, of thousands of Iraqis and Kuwaitis, and

even their own soldiers and those of their allies,

afflicting them with incurable diseases; that blatantly

violate their obligations under the Treaty on the Non-

Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT); that have

refrained from signing the Comprehensive Nuclear-

Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT); and that have armed the

Zionist occupation regime with weapons of mass

destruction ó they are not only refusing to remedy

their past actions, but, in clear breach of the NPT, are

trying to prevent other countries from acquiring the

technology necessary to produce nuclear energy for

peaceful purposes.

All of these problems emanate from the fact that

the elements of justice and spirituality are missing in

the way powerful Governments conduct their affairs

with other nations.

After 11 September, a particular radical group

was accused of terrorist activities, although it was

never explained how such huge intelligence-gathering

and security organizations had failed to prevent such

an extensive and well-planned operation.

Why have Powers that not so long ago were

supporting the activities of such groups in Afghanistan,

thereby portraying themselves as supporters of human

rights and of the Afghan people, overnight turned into

their most fierce critics? Are we to believe that their

benefactors - those very same hegemonic Powers -

have lost control? If so, would it not be better for those

Powers to adopt an honest and transparent approach to

the international community, provide precise

information about the main elements and their weapons

and financial support system, and accept responsibility

for their inhuman actions against nations and countries,

thereby assisting peoples and nations in addressing the

roots of terrorism correctly, wisely and sincerely?

We must endeavour to achieve sustainable

tranquillity and peace based on justice and spirituality.

Terrorism and weapons of mass destruction are

two major threats facing the international community.

The Islamic Republic of Iran, as one of the main

victims of terrorism and chemical weapons, fully

appreciates the difficulties involved in combating these

menaces. Today, the most serious challenge is that the

culprits are assuming the role of the prosecutor. Even

more dangerous is that certain parties, relying on their

power and wealth, are trying to impose a climate of

intimidation and injustice on the world. They are

bullying others, while using their huge media resources

to portray themselves as defenders of freedom,

democracy and human rights.

People around the world are fully aware of what

is happening in occupied Palestine. Women and

children are being murdered and teenagers are being

taken prisoner. Houses are being demolished and farms

are being burned down. Yet when the people of

Palestine resist these conditions, they are accused of

terrorism. At the same time, the occupier, which does

not abide by any principles, terror being part of its

stated and regular policy, enjoys the support of the

previously mentioned Governments. Let me be still

more blunt. State terrorism is being supported by those

who claim to fight terrorism.

How can one talk about human rights and at the

same time blatantly deny many people the inalienable

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right of access to science and technology, which have

applications in the fields of medicine, industrial

production and energy, and hinder their progress and

development by means of force and intimidation? Can

nations be deprived of scientific and technological

progress through the threat of use of force and on the

basis of mere allegations of possible military

diversion? We believe that all countries and nations are

entitled to technological and scientific advancement in

all fields, and particularly to the peaceful technology to

produce nuclear fuel. Such access cannot be restricted

to a few, depriving most nations and thereby

establishing economic monopolies which are then used

as an instrument to expand domination.

We have gathered here to defend human rights in

accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and

to prevent certain Powers from claiming that some

countries have more rights or that some countries do

not have the right to enjoy their legitimate rights.

We must not, at the beginning of the twenty-first

century, revert to the logic of the Dark Ages and try

once again to deny societies access to scientific and

technological advances. The United Nations must be

the symbol of democracy and of the equal rights of

nations. If we talk about the equal rights of nations in

political forums, we must talk of the same concept in

this forum as well. Similarly, if we talk about the right

of sovereignty, then all nations must be allowed to

exercise their rights on an equal footing and in a

democratic process.

The United Nations will be able to be the

standard-bearer of democracy in the world when it,

itself, is a manifestation of democratic process. I

reiterate that sustainable tranquillity and peace can

only be built on justice and spirituality.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is a symbol of true

democracy. All officials, including the Leader,

President and members of the Islamic Consultative

Assembly, city and village councils are elected through

the vote of the citizens. The Islamic Republic of Iran

has held 27 national elections in 27 years. This

showcases a vibrant and dynamic society in which

people participate broadly in political life.

Because of its key importance and influence in

the important and strategic Middle East region, the

Islamic Republic of Iran is committed to contributing

actively to the promotion of peace and stability in that

region.

The Saddam and the Taliban regimes were both

the products of foreign Powers. The people of

Afghanistan and of Iraq know very well who supported

those two regimes. Today, to establish peace and

security in the region, foreign occupation forces must

leave and completely hand over the political and

economic sovereignty of those two countries to their

peoples.

The Islamic Republic of Iran will continue to

provide full and comprehensive support to the people

of Iraq and Afghanistan and to their elected

Governments and will actively help them establish

order and security. My country will continue to expand

its sincere cooperation and interaction with them.

In Palestine, a sustainable peace will be possible

through justice, an end to discrimination, an end to the

occupation of Palestinian land, the return of all

Palestinian refugees and the establishment of a

democratic Palestinian State with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as

its capital.

Today, more than ever, nations need constructive,

positive and honest cooperation and interaction in

order to enjoy a dignified, tranquil and peaceful life

based on justice and spirituality. Let us enter into a

collective covenant to realize this legitimate aspiration

of our nations.

Here, I should like to talk briefly about the

approach and initiative of the Islamic Republic of Iran

on the nuclear issue. Nuclear weapons and their

proliferation, on the one hand, and attempts to impose

an apartheid regime on access to peaceful nuclear

energy, on the other, are two major threats to

international tranquillity and peace.

Keeping in mind that in past years no serious

efforts complemented by practical mechanisms have

been made to move towards full disarmament and,

more specifically, to implement the decisions and

outcomes of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of

Nuclear Weapons (NPT) review conferences of 1995

and 2000, I suggest that the General Assembly, as the

most inclusive United Nations organ, mandate an ad

hoc committee to compile and submit a comprehensive

report on possible practical mechanisms and strategies

for complete disarmament. Such a committee should

also be asked to investigate how, in violation of the

NPT, material, technology and equipment for nuclear

weapons were transferred to the Zionist regime, and to

propose practical measures for the establishment of a

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nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East. Some

powerful States practise a discriminatory approach

against access by NPT States parties to material,

equipment, and peaceful nuclear technology. In doing

so, they intend to impose a nuclear apartheid. We are

concerned that once certain powerful States completely

control nuclear energy resources and technology, they

will deny access to other States and thus deepen the

divide between powerful countries and the rest of the

international community. When that happens, we shall

be divided into light and dark countries.

Regrettably, in the past 30 years, no effective

measure has been implemented to facilitate the

exercise of the legally recognized right of NPT States

parties to have access to and to use peaceful nuclear

energy in accordance with article IV. Therefore, the

General Assembly should ask the International Atomic

Energy Agency - in accordance with article II of its

Statute - to report on violations by specific countries

that have hindered the implementation of the above

article and also to produce practical strategies for its

renewed implementation.

It is particularly important to note that the

peaceful use of nuclear energy without possession of

the nuclear fuel cycle is an empty proposition.

Countries and peoples that rely for their fuel on

coercive powers and stop at nothing to further their

interests may indeed become totally dependent on

nuclear power plants. No popularly elected,

responsible Government would consider such a

situation to be in the interest of its people. The history

of dependence on oil in oil-rich countries under

domination is an experience that no independent

country would be willing to repeat.

Those hegemonic Powers that consider the

scientific and technological progress of independent

and free nations to be a challenge to their monopoly on

those important instruments of power and which do not

want to see such achievements in other countries, have

misrepresented Iranís healthy and fully safeguarded

technological endeavours in the nuclear field as a

pursuit of nuclear weapons. That is nothing but a

propaganda ploy. The Islamic Republic of Iran is

presenting in good faith its proposal for constructive

interaction and a just dialogue. However, if some try to

impose their will on the Iranian people by resorting to

a language of force and threats against Iran, we will

reconsider our entire approach to the nuclear issue.

Allow me, as the elected President of the Iranian

people, to outline the other main elements of my

countryís initiative regarding the nuclear issue.

First, the Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms its

previously and repeatedly stated position that, in

accordance with our religious principles, the pursuit of

nuclear weapons is prohibited.

Secondly, the Islamic Republic of Iran believes

that it is necessary to revitalize the Treaty on the Non-

Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and, as I

proposed earlier, to create an ad hoc committee to

combat nuclear weapons and abolish the apartheid that

exists in the field of peaceful nuclear technology.

Thirdly, the fuel cycle of the Islamic Republic of

Iran is not technically different from that of other

countries that have peaceful nuclear technology.

Therefore, as a further confidence-building measure

and in order to provide the greatest degree of

transparency, the Islamic Republic of Iran is prepared

to engage in serious partnerships with the private and

public sectors of other countries in the implementation

of a uranium enrichment programme in Iran. That

represents the most far-reaching step - beyond all

requirements of the NPT - proposed by Iran as a

further confidence-building measure.

Fourthly, in keeping with Iranís inalienable right

to have access to a nuclear fuel cycle, continued

interaction and technical and legal cooperation with the

International Atomic Energy Agency will be the

centrepiece of our nuclear policy. The initiation and the

continuation of negotiations with other countries will

be carried out in the context of Iranís interaction with

the Agency. With that in mind, I have directed the

relevant Iranian officials to compile the legal and

technical details of Iranís nuclear approach, based on

the following considerations.

First, international precedent tells us that nuclear

fuel delivery contracts are unreliable, and no legally

binding international document or instrument exists to

guarantee the delivery of nuclear fuel. On many

occasions such bilateral contracts have either been

suspended or stopped altogether for political reasons.

Therefore, the Islamic Republic of Iran, in its pursuit

of peaceful nuclear technology, considers it to be

within its legitimate rights to receive objective

guarantees for uranium enrichment in the nuclear fuel

cycle.

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Secondly, in its negotiations with the European

Union three, Iran has tried in earnest to demonstrate

the solid and legitimate foundations of its nuclear

activity in the context of the NPT and to establish

mutual trust. The selection of our negotiating partners

and the continuation of negotiations with the European

Union three will be commensurate with the

requirements of our cooperation with the Agency

regarding the non-diversion of the process of uranium

enrichment to non-peaceful purposes, within the

framework of the NPT. In that context, several

proposals have been presented that can be considered

in the context of the negotiations.

Thirdly, the discriminatory approach with respect

to the NPT, focusing on the obligations of States

parties while disregarding their rights under the Treaty,

should cease.

As the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, I

assure the Assembly that my country will do

everything in its power to contribute to global

tranquillity and peace, based on the two values of

spirituality and justice, and on the principle of equal

rights of all peoples and nations. My country will

interact and cooperate constructively with the

international community to face the challenges before

us.

From the beginning of time, humanity has longed

for the day when justice, peace, equality and

compassion would envelop the world. All of us can

contribute to the establishment of such a world. When

that day comes, the ultimate promise of all divine

religions will be fulfilled with the emergence of a

perfect human being who is heir to all prophets and

pious men. He will lead the world to justice and

absolute peace.

Almighty Lord, I pray to you to hasten the

appearance of your last repository - the promised one,

that perfect and pure human being, the one who will

fill this world with justice and peace. O Lord, include

us among his companions, followers and those who

serve his cause.