Khatami calls on UN to put an end to war on Iraq

TEHRAN (AFP) Apr 05, 2003
Iranian President Mohammad Khatami called on the United Nations on Saturday to take the initiative over bringing an end to the war on Iraq, state television reported.

"The United Nations should play an effective role to end the war on Iraq," Khatami said during talks with Spanish Foreign Minister Ana Palacio.

"A favourable government should represent the will of Iraqi people" said Khatami, who affirmed that Iran "was ready to provide Iraqi people with humanitarian aid".

"Iraq's territorial integrity should be respected and the future Iraqi government should represent the will of Iraqi people," said Palacio who also underlined UN active role in post-Saddam Iraq.

"Killing civilians is tragic but in all wars there are civilian victims which should be minimized" she added.

Palacio arrived in Tehran early Saturday for a one-day official visit. She has met President Khatami as well as her Iranian counterpart Kamal Kharrazi.

"The mere thought that the US would stay in Iraq is a wrong and dangerous idea," said Kharrazi during meeting with Ana Palacio.

Kharrazi also "condemned the US intervention in Iraq".

SPACE.WIRE