NEWLY ARRIVED IRANIAN AMBASSADOR COMMENTS ON

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 000376 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL IR JA SUBJECT: NEWLY ARRIVED IRANIAN AMBASSADOR COMMENTS ON ISLAMIC REVOLUTION, RELATIONS WITH JAPAN ¶1. (U) In a February 11 paid advertisement in the International Herald Tribune on the occasion of the 29th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, newly arrived Iranian Ambassador Abbas Araghchi (not yet officially accredited) seeks to spread his country's official positions on withstanding foreign aggressions, its commitment to justice, tranquility, and mutual respect and dialogue, its opposition to the production, stockpiling, development and proliferation of nuclear weapons, and its ongoing efforts to engage in fair negotiations for the resolution of issues. He lauds the National Intelligence Estimate as "a victory for the Iranian nation" upending a "long-running rhetorical campaign by some bullying circles." With regard to Japan, Araghchi refers to Iran and Japan as "the two distinguished civilizations of Asia" and says the two should play an important role in regional and global developments through mutual cooperation. ¶2. (SBU) Separately, MOFA contacts denied a Yomiuri Shimbun press report dated February 9 out of Tehran that President Ahmadinejad's Senior Advisor Mojtaba Samareh Hashemi plans to visit Tokyo soon. MOFA Second Middle East Division Iran Unit Chief Takashi Kamada told Political Officer that Hashemi has not been invited, nor are there any plans to receive him. That said, Kamada noted that given Hashemi's important position, were he to express an interest in coming to Japan, Tokyo would be unable to resist his self-imposed invitation. If this were to take place, Kamada said MOFA would notify Embassy as soon as possible of any pending visit. ¶3. (U) Begin text of Iranian National Day greeting: Title: Congratulations on the 29th Anniversary of the Islamic Revolution In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful: On the auspicious occasion of the 29th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, I am honored to convey, my most cordial and sincere greetings and best wishes to Their Majesties the Emperor and the Empress, the members of the Government and the people of Japan. In February 1979 the heroic sacrifices of Iranian people, under visionary leadership of late Imam Khomeini, came to fruition and the autocratic rule of a despotic regime was brought to an end and in a referendum to decide the type of government, 99.8 percent of the electorate voted for the Islamic Republic. Over the past 29 years the Islamic Republic of Iran has made tremendous strides in various fields and the Iranian nation has been able to firmly stand out against foreign aggressions and preserve its independence. As a politically awakened nation, Iran is genuinely interested in helping find diplomatic solutions to diverse regional and international crises, which is driven by three pre-revolution era slogans, that is, "independence", "liberty" and the "Islamic Republic." In the wake of the triumph of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, today we witness that principles such as tolerance, justice, liberty, pluralism and pursuit of happiness dominate the Iranian society. The Islamic Republic of Iran has always emphasized justice, tranquillity and mutual respect and dialogue as its guiding principle through which amicable relations with our neighboring countries and expansion of bilateral and multilateral relations have been historically pursued. Iran has spared no efforts to have cordial diplomatic relations with other nations. At the same time, the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran is based on the rejection of all forms of domination and considers the achievement of independence, liberty, and justice to constitute the rights of all peoples of the world. We also believe that no government can assume rights to itself while depriving others of the same. And no government can presume responsibilities for others while relieving herself from the same. Thus, the Islamic Republic of Iran is committed to all its responsibilities, embraces expansion of its relations with all peace-loving nations in the world, and rejects any aggression and threat that causes instability and war. Accordingly, the Islamic Republic of Iran, is opposed to the production, stockpiling, development and proliferation of nuclear weapons, and considers that production of a new generation of these weapons particularly inhibit constructive efforts aimed at disarmament and rejects production of any and all nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. My government has repeatedly sought fair negotiations for the resolution of issues. Iran's nuclear program has never TOKYO 00000376 002 OF 002 diverted from its peaceful course and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General has stated that Iran's nuclear program is no threat to international peace and security. The findings in the most recent US National Intelligence Estimate, concluding that Iran does not have covert nuclear weapons upended a long-running rhetorical campaign by some bullying circles. This report has two salient parts: First, it is a turning point with regard to the Islamic Republic of Iran's nuclear issue. Second, it is released by the US intelligence community, and it unquestionably discredits the misrepresentations of the bullying powers. The NIE's report is also a clear proof of the Islamic Republic of Iran's rightfulness and legitimacy of the nuclear issue. It is not only a victory for the Iranian nation, but also an achievement for the international community. Peaceful nuclear energy use is not a taboo anymore. We also believe that engaging the Security Council and passing resolutions is a violation of the Non-Proliferation Treaty principles. The nuclear issue dossier should be handled by IAEA. It is also necessary to see a change in the policy of intimidation, pressure, embargo and restriction against Iran. I would like to emphasize that despite the contradictory behavior of some countries in initiating and pursuing the unjustifiable act of passing Security Council resolutions, the Islamic Republic of Iran is prepared to resolve the nuclear issue through constructive negotiations. Relations with Japan Iran and Japan, as the two distinguished civilizations of Asia, enjoy deep historical bonds and no hostility towards each other. I firmly believe that both Japan and Iran can play an important role in regional and global developments through mutual cooperation. Japan's industrial status makes this necessary as much as Iran's geo-economic position allows such a role. With regard to economic cooperation, Japan has been one of the main economic partners of Iran. In the 2007, the volume of trade between Iran and Japan was approximately $14 billion. Iran supplied nearly 12.5 percent of Japanese market crude oil requirements. Abbas Araghchi Ambassador designate of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Japan. End Text. SCHIEFFER