News Release No.022-03
16 January  2003

IRAN PRESIDENT SEYYED MOHAMMAD KHATAMI OF IRAN UPHOLDS PHILIPPINE TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY

Tehran - President Seyyed Mohammad Khatami of Iran assured Foreign Secretary Blas Ople of his country's commitment to support Philippine efforts to maintain peace and enhance development in Mindanao, particularly among Muslim Filipinos.

"We uphold the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Philippines. We would like to see your country develop for the benefit of the Filipino people, Muslim as well an non-Muslim," Khatami said during the call on him of Foreign Secretary Ople.

Stressing Iran's adherence to security, peace and progress, Khatami expressed hope that "equality, harmony, and peace will enable the Philippines to pursue further development for the good of all, including Muslims, as well as play a significant role in East and Southeast Asia."

During the audience with the highly-respected Iranian Chief of State, Ople handed him a letter from President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, expressing her admiration of Khatami's "wise, just, and prudent governance of (his) great nation."

Khatami, upon reading President Arroyo's letter, said that he valued profoundly the Philippine President's greetings.

Ople, who is leading the Philippine delegation to the Third Philippines-Iran Joint Commission Meeting in Tehran, briefed Khatami on the collaborative work of the Philippine and Iranian delegations in JCM.  He expressed confidence that the 3rd JCM would agree to bilateral cooperation in the oil and gas sectors and to the facilitation of exports between the two countries.

President Khatami expressed satisfaction over the success of the JCM and the further improvement of Philippines-Iran bilateral relations, in recognition of the Philippines' important role in the Southeast Asia.  He observed that "there is no alternative but to empower ourselves through economic, scientific and technical cooperation." He added that each country should empower itself to overcome "coercion and aggression by stronger powers."

Ople informed the President that the Philippine government's hosting in May 2003 of the Dialogue of Civilizations--a Khatami initiative.

Visibly pleased, Khatami remarked that "now more than ever, humanity needs peace and understanding."  He said that it was this realization that prompted him to promote the Dialogue of Civilizations concept which has received favorable responses in all the continents of the world.  He lamented that there are two groups who are against this endeavor--terrorist groups and the "powers who claim that they are fighting terrorism."

On this issue, he started that "terrorism must be contained," but the "breeding ground of terrorism--political suppression and coercion from greater powers--must be addressed."  He expressed hope that the world would eradicate terrorism through "justice, harmony, and equality."

On this note, Ople, thanked the Iranian government for its support, in the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), of the Philippine government's quest for peace and development in Mindanao and of the Philippine bid for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council.

Ople informed Khatami that the situation in Mindanao had improved significantly, with the MNLF being granted autonomy and with the decimation of the Abu Sayyaf group.

President Khatami reaffirmed Iran's support of Philippine territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Commenting on his conversation with the Iranian President, Ople said: "My call on President Mohammad Khatami was the highlight of my visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran."