Where the World's Views of America Come into Focus
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Where the World's Views of America Come into Focus
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March 17, 2005
Tehran, March 17, IRNA: There is an ongoing challenge between the new Islamic order initiated by the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the new world order being followed by global arrogance, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, said on Thursday.
Addressing members of the Assembly of Experts, the Supreme Leader said that under such circumstances, it is vital for the people and [government] officials to exercise vigilance and to come out to vote in the next presidential election. [Members of the Assembly of Experts elect the Supreme Leader from within their own ranks and periodically reconfirm him. The assembly has never been known to challenge any of the Supreme Leader's decisions.]
The Supreme Leader rebutted the extensive U.S. propaganda campaign against Iran, saying that the campaign is a sign of Washington's inability to confront the Islamic system.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran has taken shape based on Islamic and religious thought, and the sacred sapling has set deep roots in the Muslim world. It is an example for the entire Muslim community as it seeks to prevent the arrogant powers from achieving their materialistic ends. That's why they are afraid to come to terms with the sacred aspirations of the Islamic Republic," Ayatollah Khamenei said.
The Supreme Leader put emphasis on the need to implement a 20-year strategy of economic, social and cultural development, and said that the plan would transform Iran into a developed country within that period.
"Development and welfare will not be available in short term. It is only achievable by carrying out the 20-year plan for economic, social and cultural development," the Supreme Leader said.
Ayatollah Khamenei criticized the U.S. strategy of a "Greater Middle East," and said that the strategy seeks to impose domination over the entire region, and, in collaboration with the Zionist Regime, plunder its resources.
The Americans seek the creation of so-called democratic governments, which will actually be puppet regimes of the United States. But to no avail, the Supreme Leader said.
"The awareness of Islamic nations is a major obstacle to this goal. The people should massively turn out in the upcoming presidential election and elect a president loyal to the Islamic Revolution and its values," Ayatollah Khamenei said.
Khamenei remarked that the Assembly of Experts is a special body elected by the people, and that it contains brilliant personalities and high-ranking officials.
Each member of the 86-seat Assembly of Experts is elected by national elections for eight-year terms. It holds meetings twice a year to make recommendations to the Supreme Leader on critical issues.
Meanwhile, a member of the Assembly of Experts, Hojjatoleslam Majid Ansari, said on Wednesday the Guardian Council, the Assembly of Experts and the Expediency Council are responsible for helping to put into force the 20-year development plan. "I worry that by ignoring the strategy plan during annual planning, the nation will be precluded from achieving its goals, Ansari said.
He said that the parliament did not observe the objectives of the fourth five-year development and changed the context of the annual budget bill presented by the government.
"It is not fair to divide the budget among the people. We should use the budget to create jobs in the society and boost production.
"For example, the parliament increased the budget for Imam Khomeini Relief Committee, whereas, the money should have been channeled to the development plan to reduce the number of poor being covered by Imam Khomeini Relief Committee," Ansari said.
"It is dangerous for the future of the country that we spend money instead of investment. We should create jobs by investing rather than bringing the people under cover of Imam Khomeini Relief Committee," he said.
He said that illiterate people are criticizing the government's economic policy without considering the expert studies carried out about them.