Colonialists behind historical ills

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says the management of former colonialists and slaveholders is the main reason behind the historical ills in the world.

“It can be said with pride that none of the regional nations and governments have had a role in these heinous historical [crimes] and the cause of all these ills is no other than the management of those colonialists and slaveholders of the past,” the president said in an address to the 10th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Astana on Wednesday.

“We have always called for peace, tranquility and welfare based on justice and friendship for all nations.”

The Iranian president added that history has proven that regional nations hate and avoid war and conflict.

“Is not it possible to amend improper attitude through political strategies and the power caused by unity? Is not it possible to observe the fundamental rights of our nations through convergence and unity by utilizing our potentials?”

President Ahmadinejad pointed to the vast political, economic and cultural potentials of countries in Asia and Eurasia and expressed confidence that such states have the power to change the current international management in favor of peace and justice through collective cooperation.

“We can control the unbridled power of arrogant powers and restore peace in the world,” President Ahmadinejad said.

He concluded that the future belongs to those who make “big and historical” decisions by relying on their own nations.

President Ahmadinejad arrived in the Kazakh capital on Tuesday to take part in the 10th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit.

The SCO is an intergovernmental security organization that was founded in 2001 in Shanghai by leaders of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

Iran, India, Mongolia, and Pakistan are the observer states of this organization. Iran, which has held an observer status since 2005, is seeking full membership.

Iran’s bid for full membership in the SCO comes as it would allow the Islamic Republic to join and create a powerful coalition with China and Russia.

Political analysts consider the SCO as a potential future counterweight to NATO’s growing influence in Eurasia.