The visiting Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez, met Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, on Monday, November 29...
The visiting Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez, met Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, on Monday, November 29.
Speaking at the meeting, the Leader described as "very valuable" the common stance taken by the two countries on basic issues and stressed that efforts should be made to further expand the bilateral relations between Iran and Venezuela.
Ayatollah Khamenei said that the two countries, through mutual cooperation in various fields, should make themselves more powerful so that they can stand up to the threats posed by the bullying powers. He pointed out that becoming powerful consists in strengthening national structure and intellectuality of the people.
"Besides preserving national solidarity, national pride and aspirations, efforts should also be made for people's welfare and prosperity and to accelerate economic progress. Only in this case, the United States and even more powerful countries will not be able to confront a country and a nation," he noted.
Further in his remarks, Leader of the Islamic Republic expressed his happiness over the success of Mr. Chavez and Venezuelan nation in foiling U.S. plots. He also praised the famous Latin American revolutionary Simon Bolivar, adding that Bolivar is regarded as the symbol of popular resistance.
Referring to the threats that the Islamic Republic has faced and successfully foiled over the past 25 years, thanks to the high morale and strong solidarity of Iranian nation, Ayatollah Khamenei hinted at the hue and cry that has been raised with regard to Iran's use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
"The United States and other countries are sure that the Islamic Republic of Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons. But the present hue and cry is part of the pressures that are being exerted on Iran so that it may forgo its nuclear technology, a technology that has been developed by Iranian nation and which has its origins inside this country," he stated.
The Leader stressed that Iranian nation and its officials have no fear of the threats and intimidating remarks of the bullying powers.
"As our officials have often stated, the Islamic Republic would by no means stop its nuclear activities. We consider this as our red line," he further noted.
Ayatollah Khamenei made it clear that the negotiations between Iran and European countries and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have been held while observing this red line. He added that if the IAEA's judgments and stances are influenced by the United States and other countries sharing U.S. attitude, the IAEA would lose its international prestige and would no longer be trusted.
"What is expected of the agency is that it should treat all countries fairly, impartially and in the same way," he emphasized.
The Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez, for his part, expressed great pleasure over his trip to Iran and his meeting with Leader of the Islamic Republic. He also expressed his gratitude for Iran's moral support for Venezuela.
Referring to various U.S. threats against his country, Chavez noted that the Central American region has constantly faced U.S. interference over the past 200 years. He said that there are documents proving that the events that took place in Venezuela during the past two years, including economic crises, sabotage and coup, had all been contrived in Washington.
Chavez pointed out that the unity and solidarity of Venezuelan people have thwarted the United States in its plots, including the staging of a referendum that was aimed at destabilizing his country.
In conclusion, the Venezuelan President said, "We express our solidarity with Iranian nation and government in the face of U.S. threats, and we are ready for the expansion of mutual cooperation in various areas."
