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"I state here, in clear, unambiguous terms, that the United States policy
vis-à-vis the Islamic Republic of Iran has been wrong from the beginning, and
its approach of resisting the wishes of the Iranian people as manifested in
numerous elections is doomed to failure," Rouhani said, addressing the 73rd
Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday in New York.
President Hassan Rouhani’s full statement is as follows:
In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
"Praise be to God, the Lord of the universe and Peace and Blessings be upon the
Messenger of God and his Family and Companions”
Madam President,
I take this opportunity to felicitate your election to the presidency of the
73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
We have assembled here today as the world is suffering from the recklessness
and disregard of some states for international values and institutions. The
message of our presence here is that the preservation of interests and security
in the world in the least costly manner is solely possible through the
cooperation of, and coordination among, countries. However, it is unfortunate
that we are witnessing rulers in the world who think they can secure their
interests better—or at least in the short-term ride public sentiments and gain
popular support—through the fomenting of extremist nationalism and racism, and
though xenophobic tendencies resembling a Nazi disposition, as well as through
the trampling of global rules and undermining international institutions; even
through preposterous and abnormal acts such as convening a high-level meeting
of the Security Council.
This illusion should be cast away, once and for all, that one can aspire to
securing more peace and security at the cost of denying others’ peace and
security. We should not allow the breathing space for and growth of the line of
thinking that holds others to ransom through the artificial creation of
insecurity. Along this tack, confronting multilateralism is not a sign of
strength; rather it is a symptom of the weakness of intellect—it betrays an
inability in understanding a complex and interconnected world.
Under such circumstances, negligence or inefficacy of international institutions
can endanger world peace. Those seeking dominance and hegemony are enemies of
peace and the perpetrators of war.
The government of the United States—at least the current administration—seems
determined to render all international institutions ineffectual. This
government, having withdrawn from a multilateral agreement adopted by the
Security Council, in contravention of the rules and norms of international law,
invites the Islamic Republic of Iran to bilateral talks. An administration that
is inviting Iran to engage in talks is not ready to consult its own experts nor
willing to recognize the requirements of a modern state, including the paramount
principle of continuity of state responsibility, and hence openly violates state
obligations undertaken by its predecessor.
On what basis and criteria can we enter into an agreement with an administration
misbehaving such as this? Any talks should be within the framework and in
continuation of the JCPOA and Security Council resolution 2231, and not in a
framework of breaching them and reverting to the past. It is ironic that the US
government does not even conceal its plan for overthrowing the same government
it invites to talks!
Distinguished Colleagues,
The approach of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the field of foreign policy
has been based on multilateralism and compliance with the recognized principles
of international law. Our respect for the Non-Proliferation Treaty and the long
and difficult negotiations with the Group of 5+1, which led to the conclusion of
the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action—the JCPOA—illustrates a clear
manifestation of this approach.
We are pleased that the international community did not acquiesce to the US
government’s unilateral and illegal withdrawal from the JCPOA, and adopted a
categorical position vis-à-vis that decision. The JCPOA is the outcome of more
than a decade of diplomatic efforts and a period of intensive negotiations to
resolve an artificial crisis. This document was unanimously approved by Security
Council resolution 2231 and codified into an international obligation. According
to this resolution, all countries and international and regional organizations
were called upon to support the implementation of the JCPOA, and to refrain
from any actions that undermine implementation of commitments under the JCPOA..
Based on 12 consecutive reports of the International Atomic Energy Agency – the
IAEA – Iran has thus far complied with all of its commitments. However, the
United States, from the very beginning, never remained faithful to its
obligations. Later, the current administration, resorting to flimsy excuses and
in open violation of its commitments, finally withdrew from the accord. The
United Nations should not allow its decisions to fall victim to the domestic
election and propaganda games of some of its members, and should not allow any
Member State to dodge the execution of its international commitments.
Additionally, the United States also pressures other countries to violate the
nuclear accord. And more dangerously, the United States is threatening all
countries and international organizations with punishment if they comply with
Security Council resolution 2231. It is the first time in the history of the
United Nations that such ‘a general invitation to violation of law’ is coupled
with ‘threatening law-abiders with punishment.’ This is not just peculiar to the
JCPOA, but a pattern that even applies to the US approach to the International
Criminal Court.
We appreciate the efforts of the international community, the European Union,
Russia, and China in supporting the implementation of the JCPOA and consider the
full realization of the commitments stipulated in it a precondition for the
survival of this significant accomplishment of diplomacy.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Unlawful unilateral sanctions in themselves constitute a form of economic
terrorism and a breach of the ‘Right to Development.’ The economic war that the
United States has initiated under the rubric of new sanctions not only targets
the Iranian people but also entails harmful repercussions for the people of
other countries, and that war has caused a disruption in the state of global
trade.
The Iranian people have demonstrated their unwavering resilience during the past
forty years despite the difficulties and constraints caused by sanctions, and
have shown that they can overcome this difficult phase as well. The
multi-millennial history of our country demonstrates that Iran and Iranians have
never broken in the face of a storm of events—not even been bowed. I state here,
in clear, unambiguous terms, that the United States policy vis-à-vis the Islamic
Republic of Iran has been wrong from the beginning, and its approach of
resisting the wishes of the Iranian people as manifested in numerous elections
is doomed to failure. Iran, with its historical and civilizational longevity,
rich cultural heritage, and foremost geopolitical position, is an undeniable
reality. The policy of engagement and cooperation with Iran has produced
positive outcomes for other nations, as best reflected in Iran’s cooperation
with friendly countries in the fight against terrorism.
The United States’ understanding of international relations is authoritarian. In
its estimation, might makes right. Its understanding of power, not of legal and
legitimate authority, is reflected in bullying and imposition. No state and
nation can be brought to the negotiating table by force, and if so, what follows
is the accumulation in the ‘grapes of wrath’ of those nations, to be reaped
later by the oppressors.
We concur that, at the end of the day, there is no better way but dialogue.
However, dialogue is two-way: it should be based on equality, justice, and human
integrity and honor, and conducted in accordance with the rules and norms of
international law. UN Security Council resolution 2231 is not a ‘piece of
paper’. We invite you to return to that Council resolution. We invite you to
come back to the negotiating table you left. If you dislike the JCPOA because it
is the legacy of your domestic political rivals, then we invite you to come back
to the Security Council resolution. We invite you to remain in the international
institutions. Do not engage in imposing sanctions. Sanctions and extremism are
two sides of the same coin: Extremism involves negating the thinking of others,
and sanctions negate the life and prosperity of people.
For dialogue to take place, there is no need for a photo opportunity. The two
sides can listen to each other right here in this Assembly. I am starting the
dialogue right here, and state—in unequivocal terms—that the question of
international security is not a toy in American domestic politics. The United
Nations is not a part of the United States administration. Dialogue can resume
in this Assembly from the same point and by the same person who left the
dialogue table, and walked away from the accord. Beginning the dialogue starts
with ending threats and unjust sanctions that negate the principles of ethics
and international law.
Our proposal is clear: commitment for commitment; violation for violation;
threat for threat; and step for step, instead of talk for talk.
What Iran says is clear: no war, no sanctions, no threats, no bullying; just
acting according to the law and the fulfillment of obligations. We support peace
and democracy in the entire Middle East. We consider nuclear knowledge an
imperative and nuclear weapons prohibited.
As victims of terrorism in the past and today, we have always been and will
always remain in the forefront of genuine confrontation with terrorism. Today,
we mourn the martyrdom of tens of innocent people, who were recently murdered in
cold blood by terrorists who shamelessly accepted responsibility from a number
of Western capitals for their heinous crime in interviews with some
Western-based broadcasting outfits that are financed by petrodollars. In Iran we
have condemned all acts of terrorism without equivocation and will continue to
do so. We welcome the strong statement from the Security Council on this issue.
But why can the leaders of these terrorist operations – including the
organization that has publicly claimed responsibility for Saturday’s crime—live
and operate freely in Western countries, and even openly solicit funds? Are
these activities not in violation of international counter-terrorism norms? Why
have the official State-financiers of anti-Iranian terrorist organizations –with
their record of financing Al-Qaeda, ISIS and al Nusrah—not only been spared any
punishment but are supported and armed? If you want the world public to take
your claim of fighting terrorism seriously, it is imperative to start a joint
global campaign to fight this scourge, irrespective of the victims or culprits.
Distinguished Colleagues
In the same vein, from the very beginning of the crisis in Syria, we have warned
against any foreign intervention in the internal affairs of this country and the
use of unlawful means, including supporting extremist and terrorist groups in
order to exert pressure on the government of Syria, and
have consistently emphasized that the crisis can only be resolved through
intra-Syrian dialogue. To this end, the presence of our military advisors in
Syria has been at the request of the Syrian government and consistent with
international law, and has aimed at assisting the Syrian government in
combatting extremist terrorism. Iran, Russia, and Turkey, in cooperation with
the government of Syria and other Syrian parties, have succeeded through the
Astana Process, the third summit meeting of which took place in Tehran earlier
this month, in playing a positive role in reducing tension in Syria, and in
their last common effort have prevented escalation and bloodshed in the Idlib
region.
We have witnessed a tragic humanitarian catastrophe in Yemen over the past three
years which has caused the destruction of infrastructure, the killing and injury
of hundreds of thousands, the displacement of millions of innocent people, and
the occurrence of widespread famine and chronic diseases. These inhuman acts
represent clear examples of crimes against humanity and war crimes. The crisis
in Yemen can be resolved solely through intra-Yemeni talks and without foreign
interference. And to this end, we are ready to assist in any possible way.
The most pressing crisis in the Middle East, however, is the question of
Palestine. The passage of time cannot – and must not –justify occupation. The
innumerable crimes of Israel against the Palestinians would not have been
possible without the material and military assistance, and political and
propaganda support of the United States. Israel, equipped with a nuclear arsenal
and blatantly threatening others with nuclear annihilation, presents the most
daunting threat to regional and global peace and stability.
The abhorrent U.S. decision to transfer its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, and
the recent enactment of the racist Jewish State law are violations of
international law and norms, and unmistakable manifestations of apartheid.
Madam President,
The expansion of relations with neighbors and the creation of a more secure and
more developed region are among the main priorities of Iran’s foreign policy. A
few weeks ago Iran, along with the other four coastal states, signed the
Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea, which will strengthen
good-neighborliness and bring prosperity and progress for all of the coastal
states. We also desire the same relations with our southern neighbors in the
Persian Gulf. We believe in the formation of a collective mechanism for the
Persian Gulf region with the presence and participation of all regional
countries. The security of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz has always
been important for us, and just as we defended this security during the war
imposed on us by Iraq, we will confront any and all disruptive efforts in this
critical waterway in the future.
We espouse a peaceful view in political and international issues and have not
sought, nor do we seek, war with any country. Iran does not need an empire. Iran
is an empire in terms of its civilization and its culture; not through political
domination.
Iran has served as the link between east and west and will continue to do so;
remaining a meticulous guardian for a world free from violence.
The Islamic Republic of Iran is the same state that understood the fascistic
nature of the Ba’athist regime in Iraq before anyone else in the world, and
bravely resisted its aggression against us. We fought against the Ba’ath Party
of Iraq before Kuwait was occupied by it.
The Islamic Republic of Iran is the same state that was on the forefront of the
struggle against Taliban terrorism, and gave up martyrs in that struggle. We
fought against Al-Qaida and the Taliban before the attacks on New York and
Washington.
The Islamic Republic of Iran is the same state that fought against Daesh – a
fake, distorted representation of Islam. We were engaged in the fight against
Daesh before their operations in Paris, London and Brussels.
Appreciate these historical realities about Iran. Quit imposing sanctions and
end extremism. The world will not have a better friend than Iran, if peace is
what you seek.
I thank you for your attention
Source: Tasnim