Iran, Israel can coexist
[28 Jul 2004] TEHRAN - The deputy head of the Iranian parliament's powerful
Foreign Policy and National Security Commission, Mohamoud Mohammadi,
denied that Iran's policy was for the destruction of Israel.
"In order for Israel to continue existing, it should learn to coexist
with its neighbors," he said.
The deputy, a former foreign ministry spokesman and ambassador, denied
Iran's official policy was for the destruction of the Jewish state and
said Iran would not be opposed to a two-state solution in the event
of a viable peace accord.
"The destruction of Israel is not an official policy. It is though
a response to racism, occupation and repression. You can compare it
to the attitude people had towards the apartheid regime in South Africa,"
he said.
Mohammadi said Iran was not alarmed by speculation that Israel could
conduct military strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.
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"We don't consider the threat to be serious, because they know any
action against our national interests will be met with a decisive response,"
he said.
'The destruction of Israel is not an official policy. You can compare
our attitude to the one people had toward the apartheid regime in South
Africa'
When asked if Iran would accept Israel's right to exist if a peace agreement
that satisfied the Palestinians' elected leadership was stuck, he said
it would reassess its position.
"If that hypothesis materialized, Iran would adopt new policies.
It would assess any new situation. What is important is that Palestinian
rights are respected. Until that time we will not respect an occupier."
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