The presidents of Iran and Egypt, Mohammad Khatami and Hosni Mubarak, have expressed opposition to a possible military strike against Afghanistan, stressing that any war against terrorism can only be won through coordination among all the world's countries.
The official Iranian news agency (IRNA) reported that the two presidents, during a telephone conversation, condemned the devastating terrorist attacks on the US two weeks ago, and discussed developments and issues that have unfolded since the tragedy.
Praising the Egyptian government for its "logical" stance against the “horrible phenomenon of terrorism as well as its support for the Palestinian Intifada,” Khatami stressed that recent events pointed to the need for all countries of the world to confront similar crises with greater coordination and determination.
He said that any decision in the fight against terrorism must not be arrived at hastily or emotionally.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran, which has suffered irreparable damage from the horrific phenomenon of terrorism, emphasizes the need for an organized, coordinated and logical battle against terrorism, and to this end it considers the United Nations as the suitable organ to take up the cudgels in the battle to wipe out this ominous phenomenon," Khatami said.
The reformist figure further expressed great concern for the safety of the oppressed people of Afghanistan, saying, "We should avoid the occurrence of another human catastrophe in any effort to battle terrorism."
He urged all countries around the globe not to use the current crisis as an excuse for pitting the Muslim world against the West or vice-versa.
Mubarak, for his part, said his country was taking a stance similar to that of Iran in the fight against terrorism, a stance which, he felt, it had previously announced.
"We should seek the real terrorist," the president emphasized.
He urged the convening of an international conference attended by representatives of all countries that would issue a statement delineating a common stand against terrorism, IRNA quoted him as saying.
Expressing appreciation for what he said was President Khatami's "hard efforts" in fighting terrorism, he conveyed his highest and best wishes to the Iranian government and nation.
The Egyptian president asked for further expansion of mutual cooperation in the fields of economy, politics and culture – Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
