|
Exerpts of the speech of Ayatullah Khamenei (spriritual leader of Iran) on US
response to the New York and Washington explosions, delivered on September
26, 2001.
Fight against Terrorism
…Of course the fight against terrorism and the fight against those who
undermine the people's security is a necessary fight. It is obligatory. It is
a Jihad. Anyone who can take part in this fight, must do so. But this is a
global movement and therefore should have a moral leadership.
Over the past few days our officials have declared that we are ready to help
and join this movement under the auspices of the United Nations. Yes, let me
say that the UN is good but there is one condition. And that is, the UN
should not be influenced by America and other major powers.
Here, Islamic governments shoulder a heavy burden of responsibility. They
must enter the arena as a global movement against terrorism, against the
violation of the people's lives and against the violence that infringes upon
the daily lives of citizens. They must enter the arena as a great
humanitarian movement. This is a great obligation and the Organization of the
Islamic Conference is duty-bound in this respect. We, as members of the OIC,
believe that it is an essential obligation of this organization is to enter
this arena.
On the other hand, the issue of the nation of Afghanistan is raised today.
On the plight of Afghans
The innocent people of Afghanistan have committed no crime. Are the lives of
those who died in the World Trade Center in New York more precious than those
of the people of Afghanistan? Why? Is it because their collars are dirty? Is
it because they have been deprived of hygiene, nourishment, peace of mind and
security, all because of people who for many years were lackeys of the big
powers? Is that the reason? Before the events in Afghanistan, the coup d'etat
twenty odd years ago, those who were in power were lackeys of the big powers.
Then the communists came into power; they were affiliated to the Soviet
Union. And what happened then? The people know and can see.
The interference of the powers has determined the fate of the Afghan people
in recent years. These are the reasons for the poverty and backwardness of
the people of Afghanistan. They are not inferior to any other people in the
world. And they have a lot stronger points. What crime have they committed
that they should be the victims of various objectives and policies? The
Organization of the Islamic Conference and Islamic governments has a duty
here. They must act wisely and rationally and do not allow the Afghan people
to be harmed. Even if a few terrorists - we cannot be certain of this of
course, this being a claim by the Americans - have camps there. Well, Afghan
people should not have to pay for sins committed by them. Why should they be
trampled on? ...
|