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Khatami secures African backing during 7-nation tour
 Iranian President Mohammad Khatami wrapped up a seven-nation tour of Africa in Uganda on Thursday after sealing a raft of cooperation deals that Teheran hopes will boost its influence on the continent.
| "We like dealing with Africa. We can buy influence at about 9 cents a head. European influence costs us almost twice that much, though I'll admit it's better quality..." |
Khatami won backing, or at least kind words, from leaders at each stop on his 10-day swing that ended here, where his visit was overshadowed by a new war of words with arch-foe the United States. In Kampala, Khatami was blunt in his criticism of the United States over the war in Iraq and recent hints that Washington may be considering the use of force to compel Teheran to change Middle East and nuclear policies. He warned that Iranians are "strong enough to defend ourselves" and said the American people could not possibly benefit from a war with Iran, especially as it still has its hands full in Iraq. "I think the United States would (be doing) a great job if they tried to put out the fire that has already been lit in Iraq," he said, adding that the US-led invasion had "created fertile ground to breed terrorists."
Posted by: Fred 2005-01-22 |
