Statement by H.E. Dr. M. Javad Zarif

Deputy Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran

before

the Ministerial Meeting of the Conference

on Interaction and Confidence - Building Measures in Asia

Almaty, September 14, 1999

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

Mr. President;

I would like to express my sincere appreciation to you and the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan for hosting the first Ministerial Meeting of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence - Building Measures in Asia (CICA).

As we step into the next millennium, multilateral and regional arrangements are taking an increasing prominence in regulating relations among nations. Asia is not and can not stay outside of this trend. However, one might note that compared to other regions, we still need to work diligently together in order to increase and enhance such arrangements in our continent.

Asia deserves, need I emphasize, to play an even more significant role in world affairs and contribute further to the promotion of international peace and security.

Statistics are very telling and in fact indicative of the potential contribution of the Asian countries. Being the largest continent and endowed by various natural resources, Asia hosts three-fifth of the world population and is characterized by political, economic, social and cultural diversity.

In this context, the Islamic Republic of Iran has welcomed the initiative by Your Excellency to establish the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia And we have participated actively in the CICA process during the last five years. The Declaration on the Principles Guiding the Relations among the CICA Member States, which is open for signature today has been subject of intensive discussions and negotiations under the able chairmanship of the Republic of Kazakstan. The Declaration, in our view, should be considered as a first step in the process of creating an inclusive broad-based regional forum aimed at strengthening peace, stability, security and cooperation in Asia.

The Conference on Interaction and Confidence - Building Measures in Asia should devise mechanisms for promoting better relations among its members and to prepare the ground for good neighborliness, cooperation and interaction in various fields. For this, we have to commence from the common grounds. As we build on such a solid foundation we would address more difficult issues. Still for this invaluable achievement, one needs not to lose sight of the fact that our gathering today is not the end of a process. Rather, we are at the starting point of a long and arduous road.

Mr. President;

Confidence - Building and interaction are two major objectives of the CICA process whose realization requires dialogue. Asia is the cradle of many cultures and civilizations. President Khatami's initiative to promote and facilitate dialogue among civilizations provides a suitable framework for constructive and enriching interaction among peoples with different traditions, cultures and values. It is with dialogue and subsequently understanding that our diversity becomes a source of enrichment and enlightenment instead a source of discord and division. It is with dialogue, understanding and cooperation that we can make certain a brighter and more prosperous future for the present and future generations. This is not far from our reach. In fact as mentioned in the Declaration on the Principles, Guiding Relations among the CICA Member States, today we are witnessing a growing desire of our peoples to live in an atmosphere of peace, friendship, understanding, and good neighborliness.

Nonetheless, there would be no real peace in the world without justice, for justice is the foundation of a lasting peace. It is therefore, essential for us to promote justice, thus promoting peace and stability. Middle East crisis is an agonizing example of the close relationship between peace and justice. It is for more than half a century that the crisis has lingered. Justice, in this very case, demands the free exercise by the Palestinians of their inalienable right to self - determination, including the right to establish their own independent state with Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital, liberation of all occupied Palestinian territories and return of the Palestinian refugees to their homeland. Let me stress here that in the course of the past 5 years, many delegations, including my own, have underlined that Israel does not belong to Asia, and its presence here would not contribute to the goal of enhancement of security, confidence, and cooperation in our continent. This position has been repeatedly reiterated by the OIC, including in its last ministerial meeting. We continue to hold the same view, and our presence here, and participation in this process does not prejudice our firm positions on this issue.

We hold that confidence - building starts first from the neighborhood, therefore, the highest foreign policy priority of the Islamic Republic of Iran is to promote trust and confidence and build peace in our immediate neighborhood. We have always reiterated our commitment to the tri-tier principles of non-interference in the internal affairs of others, non-use of force or threat of use of force and finally respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of other states. We have unremittingly strived, as an important part of our foreign policy, to reduce tension at regional level, and to advance conflict resolution and peace - making initiatives.

Mr. President;

Confidence may not be promoted or even secured without removing the sources of major threats to international and regional peace and security. At present, weapons of mass destruction pose the greatest challenge ever to our security.

Yet on a positive note, the developments in this last decade of the century have been encouraging in this regard. Chemical weapons convention was finally concluded after 25 years of negotiations. Its entry into force has raised great optimism that one category of weapons of mass destruction would be completely eliminated. We expect similar positive developments in finalization of the protocol to the Biological Weapons Convention as well as early entry into force of the CTBT.

The initiatives to establish nuclear weapon free zones have been pursues vigorously. A nuclear - weapon free zone particularly established in this region, Central Asia, is noteworthy. This trend needs to be continued unabatedly, particularly in regions such as the Middle East, so as to pave the ground for a world free of nuclear weapons.

Nuclear weapons however are threatening the pillars of a new international security system, which should be based on principles such as cooperation, dialogue, confidence and partnership. Nuclear weapons have divided the globe into two categories of haves and have-nots. They have empowered a few to be able to destroy the whole earth with all its inhabitants if they so desire..

Mr. President;

Insecurity, suspicions and fear are mutually reinforcing. Nuclear weapons should not, therefore, find any place in our security environment. Nuclear weapons cannot for ever be possessed by a handful of countries. If it remains in certain military arsenals, the temptation to join this exclusive club will persist. The recent nuclear tests in South Asia are but dangerous proof of this argument. We should join our forces in advocating the establishment of the whole world free from nuclear weapons. Nuclear weapons should no longer be seen as a source of power, prestige and supremacy. As for Asia, we certainly hope that the traditional Asian wisdom would prevail in sparing the continent from falling into a nuclear arms race, which would entail nothing but unbearable security, political, economic and social costs. Asia needs to be united in its stance for nuclear disarmament and to dedicate its rich resources to development.

Mr. President;

Earlier this year, we submitted our vision of an inclusive and participatory world security system in which all nations can enjoy protection from insecurity and exclusion. Global Security Networking, as we named our vision, would stand on the pillars of cooperation and partnership and would encourage appropriation of resources to development for there would exist an encompassing security umbrella for all. Certainly, in such a new security arrangement, there will be no place for weapons of mass destruction.

We view that CICA could be an important part of this security arrangement. We shoulder an onerous and historical responsibility and should seize this opportunity to work collective for a safer more prosperous world, emancipated form war, destruction, poverty and hunger. Let me take this opportunity to assure this august body of our unreserved commitment to this lofty objective.