TEHRAN, 12 June 2004 — The UN Security Council resolution passed this week enshrining the terms of Iraqi sovereignty could save the United States “from the hell that it created,” an influential former Iranian president said yesterday.
“The Security Council resolution is a step forward toward saving the Iraqi people and the United States from the hell it created,” Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said in a sermon during weekly Friday prayers here. “The United States is beginning to accept the fact that it got itself into a mire and is looking for a solution for an honorable way out.”
However, he added that the “oppressive nature” of the United States is preventing it from setting a date for withdrawal from Iraq.
Rafsanjani characterized as “positive” American action in overthrowing the Taleban regime in Afghanistan and Saddam Hussein in Iraq, but pointed out that Washington had failed to provide security in the two countries.
In Iraq, he said, “the situation is worse today than it was under the rule of Saddam.”
On Wednesday, Iran welcomed the Security Council’s unanimous endorsement of the new Iraqi government’s sovereignty, saying it was a step towards an end of the US-led occupation of its neighbor.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran welcomes favorably all action that leads to reinforcing the sovereignty of the Iraqi people,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said. “Resolution 1546 is a step toward the total sovereignty of the Iraqi people over their future and their control over their natural resources, and it recognizes the Iraqi government’s authority to end the mission of foreign forces and bring a total end to the occupation of the country,” he added.
Iran, meanwhile, demanded changes yesterday to a tough draft resolution that rebukes Tehran for failing to cooperate fully with the UN nuclear watchdog, whose board votes on the text next week.
The draft deplores Iran’s failure to cooperate fully with a UN investigation into suspicions that Tehran might have a covert nuclear weapons program.
Diplomats said Iran wants sections cut or changes to soften the wording.
“The draft reflects American and some European countries’ stances,” Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator Hassan Rohani told Iranian state television. “If the board does not make necessary changes, it means the Europeans are ignoring their commitments,” Rohani said. “It will influence Iran’s decision (on cooperation).”
But several diplomats said the Iranians were pleased the text contained no trigger mechanism for the 35-nation IAEA board to report Tehran to the UN Security Council for possible sanctions in the event Iran’s cooperation remained sluggish. Iran insists its nuclear ambitions are limited t
Rafsanjani also told worshippers at Friday prayers here that the draft appeared to be the result of a European-US conspiracy.
“The draft resolution shows that the Europeans and Americans have agreed on one point — which is that Iran should be totally deprived its peaceful nuclear activities,” Rafsanjani said.
“If it is true, they will regret this decision. We assure them that Iran will not abandon its right,” he added.
