VZCZCXRO6383
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHKUK
DE RUEHKO #0376/01 0440252
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 130252Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1694
INFO RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE
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