ID :
182444
Mon, 05/16/2011 - 13:11
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/182444
The shortlink copeid
Former FM Raps PGCC Provocations against Iran
TEHRAN, May 16 (FNA)- Former Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki strongly rejected the recent allegations raised by the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council about Tehran's interference in the internal affairs of the regional states, and said that the PGCC is only seeking to project the blame for recent unrests on Iran.
"The PGCC is searching for foreign elements in vain since a change and an evolution has happened among the people and they are protesting and expect their voices to be heard," Mottaki said, addressing a gathering of Iranian students in Central Iran.
He addressed Saudi Arabia and the PGCC, and said, "Why do you deceive yourselves and (attempt to) portray Iran as a threat? Why are you moving on a wrong path?"
"There is no foreign element in this movement," Mottaki said, and reminded, "Two years ago Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh similarly accused Iran and others of having a hand in the developments in his country, but could they find even a single Iranian or foreign national in the demonstrations of hundreds of thousands of the Yemeni people."
Earlier this month, the PGCC member states issued a statement at a ministerial meeting in Abu Dhabi, accusing Iran of interference in Bahrain's internal affairs.
Iran strongly rejected the claim, and said interference means deploying troops and killing people in a foreign country, alluding to the deployment of the Saudi-led PGCC forces in the Bahrain.
In March, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait deployed their troops in Bahrain to reinforce the brutal armed clampdown against mass protests.
Scores of Bahraini protesters have been killed and many others gone missing in the harsh crackdown since the beginning of the revolution in the Middle Eastern country.
People in Bahrain have been protesting since February 14, demanding an end to the rule of the Al Khalifa dynasty.
Demonstrators maintain that they will hold their ground until their demands for freedom, constitutional reform and a proportional voice in the government are met.
"The PGCC is searching for foreign elements in vain since a change and an evolution has happened among the people and they are protesting and expect their voices to be heard," Mottaki said, addressing a gathering of Iranian students in Central Iran.
He addressed Saudi Arabia and the PGCC, and said, "Why do you deceive yourselves and (attempt to) portray Iran as a threat? Why are you moving on a wrong path?"
"There is no foreign element in this movement," Mottaki said, and reminded, "Two years ago Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh similarly accused Iran and others of having a hand in the developments in his country, but could they find even a single Iranian or foreign national in the demonstrations of hundreds of thousands of the Yemeni people."
Earlier this month, the PGCC member states issued a statement at a ministerial meeting in Abu Dhabi, accusing Iran of interference in Bahrain's internal affairs.
Iran strongly rejected the claim, and said interference means deploying troops and killing people in a foreign country, alluding to the deployment of the Saudi-led PGCC forces in the Bahrain.
In March, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait deployed their troops in Bahrain to reinforce the brutal armed clampdown against mass protests.
Scores of Bahraini protesters have been killed and many others gone missing in the harsh crackdown since the beginning of the revolution in the Middle Eastern country.
People in Bahrain have been protesting since February 14, demanding an end to the rule of the Al Khalifa dynasty.
Demonstrators maintain that they will hold their ground until their demands for freedom, constitutional reform and a proportional voice in the government are met.
