President Ahmadinejad, who arrived in Malaysia Wednesday evening for a three-day official visit at the head of a high-ranking politico-economic delegation, inspected a guard of honor and received a 21-gun salute at the capital's parliament square.
Earlier Thursday he was given a red-carpet welcome ahead of meetings with high-ranking Malaysian officials and Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi -- the current head of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), the world's biggest grouping of Muslim nations.
During the meeting, Ahmadinejad also noted that Iran and Malaysia, as two powerful countries in the Islamic world, can expand their ties in order to help establish an Islamic bank and common market.
For his part, Abdullah said that Islamic countries can take a great leap forward by making progress in the field of information technology.
He noted that the two countries can develop their ties in the areas of nanotechnology, IT, industry, oil, and gas.
Only countries with no past civilization seek WMD
Speaking at a joint press conference with Abdullah, Ahmadinejad said that only countries with no past civilization and culture struggle to gain access to weapons of mass destruction.
On the nuclear issue, the president said that the country's nuclear activities are continuing within the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
"We believe that all NPT member countries are entitled to access nuclear energy for peaceful purposes," he added as carried by IRNA.
Denouncing scientific apartheid, he noted that Iran's nuclear activities will continue under the supervision of the agency and in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the president elaborated on Iran's policies and repeated Iran's call for total worldwide nuclear disarmament.
Saying that Iran’s doors are open to every party for negotiations, he nevertheless emphasized that Iran would never yield to imposed talks.
Expressing satisfaction with his visit to Malaysia, the president said that expansion of collaboration in all fields is possible.
"Both countries have common views in the field of politics. Besides, Iran and Malaysia are interested in promoting peace and tranquility for all nations and believe that humanity is based upon justice and monotheism," he added.
During the press conference, Ahmadinejad invited Abdullah to visit Iran.
On Ahmadinejad's plan for all Muslim states to unite to help any Islamic country facing a threat, Abdullah said any proposal in this regard would be discussed by the OIC and a decision would be made by all member states.
In an address at Malaysia's Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR) on Friday, President Ahmadinejad said that world peace can only be achieved through unity and justice.
“We are waiting for permanent global justice and have no doubt that it will be achieved.”
He also noted that Western people suffer from their government’s wrong policies toward the Zionist regime.
“Western governments give Israel, which is the symbol of international terrorism, exactions from their nations’ incomes,” he said.
Peace and unilateralism based on hegemony cannot last, the president said.
“We seek to bridge the gaps, we seek peaceful ties with everyone, but some expect others to take all their orders. However, they should be awakened.”
Attending a dinner banquet on Thursday arranged for him by the Malaysian King, Ahmadinejad said that Iran-Malaysia cooperation would yield positive results for Asia and the Islamic world.
“Although the two countries have expanded their economic, cultural, scientific and political ties during recent years, they still enjoy great potential for broad-based development,” he said.
In another meeting with King Seraj Eldin Jamal El lail Putra on Thursday, Ahmadinejad said that cooperation among Islamic states would help resolve many of the problems facing Muslims throughout the world.
He warned about the enemies’ conspiracies to prevent unity among Muslim nations, saying that the near future belongs to Islam.
For his part, the Malaysian king referred to Iran’s nuclear program, saying, “We sincerely believe that Iran’s nuclear technology is for peaceful purposes and that Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons but wants its own and other nations to reap the benefits of nuclear energy.”
In a speech to Malaysia's business community on Thursday, Ahmadinejad said that Tehran will oppose "any excessive demands" from world powers.
He accused his critics of trying to destroy Iran's national identity and ensure that developing countries remain impoverished.
"We need to stand up against this torrent of hegemony," he said.
"We oppose any excessive demands these powers put on us, we support the dignity of all men of any race or any religion. Men should be treated equally, no one should be ridiculed."
The Iranian president hailed the "awakening" to domination by powerful countries.
"Even inside Europe, great resistance is taking shape," he said, adding that rich countries were draining wealth from the developing world.
"The main root cause is that they want to have control of all the resources in the world… and they want access to cheap oil. This means there must be no other power allowed on the stage."
Ahmadinejad attended Friday prayers at Kuala Lumpur's Velayeh mosque on the Muslim holy day.
He left Malaysia for Tehran on Friday evening and was officially seen off by the Malaysian king.
HL/MS/HL
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MNA