PRETORIA,
South Africa, July 26--Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Tuesday called on the international community to respect Iran's right to use nuclear energy.
Badawi, who is currently in South Africa on an official visit, in a meeting with the visiting secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Hassan Rohani, referred to Iran's nuclear policy as wise, IRNA reported.
Calling for the continuation of cooperation with Europe on Iran's nuclear case, Abdullah said Iran's policy of signing the Additional Protocol to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and allowing inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency to visit its nuclear sites were the best ways of building confidence with regard to its peaceful nuclear activities.
The Malaysian premier also urged Iran to give an opportunity to the Europeans to present their comprehensive proposal.
Rohani, for his part, pointed to friendly and close ties between Tehran and Kuala Lumpur and said exchange of opinions and cooperation between the two countries on important regional and international issues will strengthen the interests of the Muslim world and South countries.
He reiterated Iran's cooperation with the IAEA and said Iran has abided by all its international commitments.
"Today after two years of the agency's flash inspections, it is proved that Iran's nuclear activities over the past 25 years have been totally peaceful and no signs were seen of Iran diverting toward production of nuclear weapons," Rohani said.
Arriving in Johannesburg on Monday at the head of a political delegation on the invitation of President Thabo Mbeki, Rohani told IRNA that Iran has reminded EU of its minimum expectations, and hopefully their decision will not waste fruits of mutual efforts.
"We are going to consult with high-ranking South African officials on the latest developments in Iran's nuclear dossier," he said. Referring to the satisfactory level of Iran's cooperation with Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) countries in IAEA, he said, "South Africa has been quite dynamic within the IAEA and other international bodies in recent decades."
Iran expects European proposals to be out by the end of July or early August.
Iran's top nuclear negotiator added that he emphasized in a letter to the foreign ministers of the three EU countries that the result of Iran's presidential election would have no effect on the process of negotiations.
Rohani is scheduled to meet South African President Thabo Mbeki in Pretoria on Tuesday.

Ali Aqamohammadi

TEHRAN, July 26--A top official with the Supreme National Security Council said there is a solid consensus at the highest echelons of power on continuing the countryÕs nuclear drive, noting that the Europeans should recognize Iran's legitimate and legal right to enrich uranium.
Head of the SNSCÕs Information Dissemination and Propaganda Affairs Committee Ali Aqamohammadi further told ISNA on Tuesday that in a recent meeting, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, President Mohammad Khatami, president-elect Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as well as former Prime Minister Mir Hossein Mousavi decided that that any final decision be delayed until Aug. 1.
Aqamohammadi also said Iran would reject any proposal by the EU that might seek to prevent it from carrying out nuclear work.
The warning, delivered by several of Iran's nuclear negotiating team, comes ahead of crucial talks between Tehran and the EU next month.
At that meeting, EU negotiators are due to present a proposal on the long-term prospects of Iran's atomic program.
Iran, which denies any intention of making nuclear arms, has temporarily frozen sensitive nuclear work, like uranium enrichment, while the talks go on.
"If the (EU) proposal considers Iran's legitimate and legal right to enrich uranium, we will continue the process (of talks), otherwise we won't accept the proposal," he said, clarifying that otherwise it will be unacceptable
He added that Iran will not wait any longer.
Aqamohammadai echoed remarks by other Iranian officials that at the end of the August 1 deadline, Iran will resume its enrichment activities.

SALT LAKE CITY, USA, July 26--Preparations are underway for hosting the Ò2005 US-Iran Relations Conference: Regional and Global DynamicsÓ here during September 8-10.
The event is sponsored by the Middle East and Central Asia Conference Committee, an academic group affiliated with the University of Utah, also in Salt Lake City, World Security Network (www.worldsecuritynetwork.com), the event's media sponsor reported.
ÒWe are bringing together close to 30 scholars and experts on the theme of US-Iran Relations, diplomacy and WMD,Ó says Kristian Alexander, vice chair of the committee. ÒMany of the participants coming to Salt Lake City for two days of intense scholarly discussions may very well hold opposing points of view on the issue of US-Iran relations.Ó
This social scientific gathering will feature 24 presentations by scholars in at least six thematic panels ranging from history of citizen and diplomatic contacts, and civil society, to media relations and portrayal of US and Iran in each otherÕs newspapers, to detailed discussions and analyses of IranÕs alleged pursuit and acquisition of weapons of mass destruction, and the US and European efforts in thwarting that objective.
Participants will represent institutions from across the US, Iran, UK, Norway, Switzerland, Turkey and Italy.
In addition to individual papers on the topic of US-Iran relations (and another 100 presentations on the Middle East and Central Asia in a parallel event, also taking place during Sept. 8-10), the conference will host two plenary lectures.
Dr. Stephen Zunes, the Middle East editor of Foreign Policy in Focus, will give a one-hour talk on ÒDemocracy, Nuclear Non-Proliferation and US Policy in the Middle EastÓ. Another plenary presentation is that of Dr. William O. Beeman, an anthropologist and expert on Iran, who will present his ideas on the future of US-Iran relations.

ISFAHAN, July 26--Increasing paramilitary volunteer forces (Basijis) from 10 million to 15, with 9 million men and 6 million women, is part of the fourth five-year plan (2005-2010) of the Islamic Revolution's Guard Corps, it was announced here Monday, IRNA reported.
Speaking to a gathering of 30,000 women Basijis, Commander of the Islamic Revolution's Guards Corps Major General Yahya Rahim-Safavi said increasing the number of "active Basijis" to 4.25 million persons, increasing the number of "special Basijis" to 150,000, expansion of "elite Basijis" by 300 percent and establishment or completion of 2,285 Basiji resistance cells in the country are among special concerns of the IRGC.

President-elect Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (l) met with a group of Iranian cinema personalities in Tehran on Monday. (IRNA Photo)

TEHRAN, July 26--A group of Iranian cinema personalities met with president-elect Mahmoud Ahmadinejad here on Monday.
Ahmadinejad congratulated artists on the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) daughter Hazrat Fatemeh (AS), adding that the Islamic Revolution is by nature a cultural revolution, IRNA reported.
"Basically, Islam's general approach in all fields, including economy and politics, is a cultural approach, aimed at guiding mankind toward perfection," he said.
Referring to the direct, serious and effective role cultural figures and artists can play in devising the country's cultural policymaking, he said, "Arts are among the most splendid and affectionate manifestations of cultures and help transfer mankind's ideals and beliefs to other cultures and generations."
Ahmadinejad noted that the roots and foundations of Iran's culture are incomparable with those in the world and arts should be the pioneers of introducing the country's cultural nobilities, school of thought and lifestyle to the world.
"The country's next government would be the supporters of noble and exalted arts, but populism is among the pitfalls of arts and an artist should not have constant worries about earning his daily expenses," he said.
"If the Iranian culture, which is a divine-humane culture of patience and justice-seeking, is publicized worldwide, it would attract huge audiences."
Ahmadinejad focused on the "Culture of Sacred Defense", which he said is not the culture of war, but the culture of "living more appropriately and dying the best possible death".

KABUL, Afghanistan, July 26--Afghan President Hamid Karzai said on Monday Iran is a friend of Afghanistan and has rendered laudable assistance to the country, hoping that Tehran's assistance will continue in the future .
In a meeting with Deputy Foreign Minister for Asia-Pacific Affairs Mohsen Aminzadeh, he thanked Iranian efforts in Afghanistan's reconstruction drive, IRNA reported.
Karzai expressed hope that Tehran's assistance will continue in the future.
He also wished Iran's new president-elect well, saying he will meet Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Tehran in the near future.
Aminzadeh, for his part, said Iran's policy is to help Afghanistan establish stability and security. He also referred to the constructive steps taken by Iran in the Afghan reconstruction, "especially in its western provinces".
"I hope that with the upcoming parliamentary elections will complete the Afghan political development process."
Aminzadeh expressed concern over the growing insecurity and activities of opponents of Kabul government.
"Drug trafficking by the Mafia-like gangs is another cause for worry," he said, calling for tackling the drug menace by the Afghan government and international community.
Aminzadeh also met with Afghan National Security Advisor Zalmay Rasul on Monday.