Khatami: Citizens have a say in their destiny via parliament

IRNA, Iran
Sept 8 2004

Yerevan, Sept 8, IRNA — President Mohammad Khatami here Wednesday
referred to parliament as an institution where citizens of every
country have a say in their destiny and a symbol of lawful political
competition.

Speaking at Armenia`s National Assembly here Wednesday, he added
that every country aiming to pave the way for national development
and build up a dynamic history should give special attention to
parliament as an institution where discords are solved peacefully.
“Efficient institutions, where political and social conflicts can be
settled, contribute to preparing the grounds for promoting dialogues
and understanding in the community and reduce the likelihood of
misunderstandings, violation and disputes,” he added. He referred
to the violent attack on Armenia`s parliament on October 27, 1999
resulting in the death of the country`s National Assembly speaker,
prime minister and a number of lawyers as a bad experience facing
attempts to achieve democracy.

Turning to the evidences on links among democracy, unity and national
development, he said that freedom of thought, logic and expression as
well as abidance by law pave the way for the prospect of development
in all domains.

“In today`s world, dialogue plays a significant role in democracy.
No political system can be successful, unless it aims to exercise
democracy.

“The recent developments leading to control the governments and
factors reducing public participation in political issues are the
cause of concern for the progress of democratic process,” he added.
President Khatami pointed to globalization as well as changes in
relations and international order as other factors influencing
democracy in its traditional sense.

He reiterated the need for redefining democracy more than ever and said
that associating `democracy` with `liberalism` in politics accounts
for the obstacles faced in promoting democracy in other fields.