LEADER TELLS ARMENIAN PRESIDENT: OUTSIDE POWERS TRYING TO HAMPER REGIONAL ALLIANCES
Tehran Times
April 15 2009
Iran
TEHRAN – Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei said on Tuesday that
outside powers resort to different ploys to halt the emergence of
regional blocs.
"Great powers are trying to prevent the growth of regional blocs
through different pretexts," the Leader said in a meeting with Armenian
President Serzh Sargsyan who was on two-day visit to Iran.
The Leader also said Tehran welcomes the growing amicable ties with
the "Armenian government and nation" and praised ethnic Armenians
for the sacrifices they made in Iran during Iraq’s war against Iran
in the 1980s.
"Our Armenian compatriots defended the revolution… shoulder to
shoulders with their Muslim Iranian brothers during the imposed war
for eight years."
The Leader went on to say that in almost all wars foreign hands
are involved. For example, he said the United States and certain
European countries provoked Saddam to invade Iran. He added Israel
also launched intensive wars on Lebanon in 2006 and the Gaza Strip
early this year with a green light from Washington.
"In most wars and regional conflicts the covert and overt hands of
great powers are seen like the Zionist regime’s attacks on Gaza and
Lebanon that were done with a support from America. But the failure of
Saddam in the imposed war, and the failure of Zionists in the 22-day
war on Gaza and 33-day war on Lebanon show that dependence on outside"
powers "will not actually lead to anywhere."
Ayatollah Khamenei also lauded efforts by Yerevan to establish
friendship between Armenia and its neighbors.
For his part, Sargsyan said he is determined to develop comprehensive
relationship with Iran and said he is optimistic about the prospect
of ties between the two neighbors.
"We have come to Iran for a comprehensive development of ties and are
sure of a brighter future in relationship between the two countries."
Sargsyan visited Tehran at the head of a high-ranking political and
economic delegation. During his stay, eight cooperation agreements
were signed between the two sides.
"I will implement all agreements of this visit," he explained.
He also called Iran as "strong-willed" country that is pursuing a
"logical and balanced" policy in regard to regional developments