Instigators deserve tough punishments: Spokesman
Saturday, June 28, 2003 - ©2003 IranMania.com
Tehran, Jun 25 - Government spokesman Abdollah Ramezanzadeh said here Wednesday that willful moves should be strongly confronted for being a threat to (social) freedom and the Constitution, IRNA reported.
Ramezanzadeh told reporters after the weekly cabinet meeting that the country is in need of a safe atmosphere for the public to raise their overall demands on condition of security and freedom.
He said government is determined to use all possible means to confront such measures and the Intelligence Ministry would definitely identify agent(s), if any, responsible for the incidents.
Asked whether Tehran has arrested all al-Qaeda members, Ramezanzadeh said just a handful have been identified.
He declined to give further details.
He said naturally, it is difficult to tackle or identify the al-Qaeda operatives, who hold ample forged documents and are well trained by the CIA, and given the complexity of the al-Qaeda network.
He added that Iran has asked others to give it a helping hand to it in that respect.
Asked to comment on massive crackdown on the terrorist Mujahideen Khalq Organization (MKO) by Paris, Ramezanzadeh said French government's move is positive. "We welcome the fight against terrorism by anybody anywhere," declared the spokesman.
He said the MKO has been at the fore of massive crimes in Iran and it is hoped that its members will be meted out necessary punishment.
Asked to comment on the MKO extradition, Ramezanzadeh said it is a natural demand of any country to demand extradition of the criminals, who have acted in the country or elsewhere against its interests. "We have not yet brought up any official request to that end," said the official.
He said studies are underway when to lodge the official request.
Elsewhere at the press conference, Ramezanzadeh commented on the impact of the US officials' allegations against Tehran, saying the US intervention in Iran's internal affairs darkens any hope for improvement of two-way ties. He strongly advised the US officials to reconsider their attitude and position on Iran.
He also commented on recent claims of UK Prime Minister Tony Blair on Iran, saying the UK Ambassador Richard John Dalton had been summoned to be informed of Iran's protest to the claims, an issue is awaiting a response from London.
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