120 NAM Countries Head to Iran Despite Western Pressure

Salehi: NAM Should Oppose Imposed Sanctions, Foreign Intervention Unacceptable

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi stressed that the foreign interference in the events taking place in our region was unacceptable. Urging the Non Aligned Movement (NAM) members to stand against the sanctions imposed against the Islamic Republic, he stated "The NAM... should seriously confront unilateral sanctions of certain nations against some members of the NAM," Salehi saidnk the NAM for its support to the legitimate rights" to nuclear activities. "Regarding our peaceful nuclear program... we have always said that we are only seeking our legitimate rights" to nuclear energy as permitted under the Non-Proliferation Treaty, Salehi said. Salehi called for the active role of the NAM in annihilation of the weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), saying that the Zionist entity should be forced to respect the non-proliferation of WMDs. ""Israel's" refusal to sign Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is a hurdle to the globalization of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons," he added. Talking about the regional events, and especially the Arab revolutions, Salehi said the foreign interference was unacceptable. "We have learned from the events which our region has witnessed that any forces cannot ignore the legitimate demands of people."   "The popular uprisings and the regional events that follow it, affect the consecutive developments on the International level," Salehi added. "The participation of the real independent political powers in a comprehensive dialogue needs a political operation based on the internal views of a country," the Iranian FM stressed, noting that this operation should not be away from the foreign interference.   Salehi also said that the most important issue in the region, the Palestinian issue, should be taken seriously during the ongoing NAM meeting and the "criminal measures of the "Israeli" regime, as the biggest threat to the region" must be taken into consideration.    He also said that the UN must take major reforms noting "Six decades since its establishment, the United Nations needs fundamental reforms in order to adapt to the modern global developments." We believe that the General Assembly, as the main democratic body of the UN, should fulfill its duties to deal with issues pertaining to the international peace and security, the FM added. At the opening ceremony of the NAM expert-level meeting on Sunday, Iran assumed the rotating presidency of the movement for three years. Egypt's Ambassador to the United Nations Moataz Khalil formally handed over the presidency of the NAM to Iran. The 16th NAM summit will be held in the Iranian capital, Tehran, from August 26 to 31. "Israel" is fearful of the upcoming summit as the event is certain to contribute to the Islamic Republic's power NAM is comprised of around 120 member states and 17 observer countries. It is an international organization of states considering themselves not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc, and is the largest grouping of countries outside of the United Nations. Nearly two-thirds of the United Nations' members are also NAM members which represent 55% of the world population, particularly countries considered to be developing or part of the Third World. NAM's purpose, as stated in the Havana Declaration of 1979, is to ensure "the national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of non-aligned countries." NAM summit is held once every three years in a member state.   Source: News Agencies, edited by moqawama.org

12 View | 27-08-2012 | 12:35

River to Sea Uprooted Palestinian   The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this Blog!