The one-day conference on dialogue among
civilizations held in the Cuban capital of Havana on December 21 was
attended by a number of Cuban political, scientific and cultural
figures.
At the conference, arranged jointly by Cuban Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, Cuba's National Parliament and the Iranian Embassy in Havana,
tribute was paid to President Mohammad Khatami as the initiator of the
lofty idea of inter-civilizational dialogue.
Addressing the conference, a Cuban communist leaders, Armando Art,
referred to President Khatami's proposal and the designation of 2001
by the UN as the Year of 'Dialogue Among Civilization' as a worthwhile
idea.
He noted that hostility and antagonism account for the numerous
crimes committed in the world and referred to the September 11
terrorist attacks on Washington and New York and the subsequent US
bombing of Afghanistan as examples of such hostilities.
Art added, "The recent events reflect the barbarities in both
civilized and uncivilized communities."
He went on to condemn the terrorist attacks in New York,
Washington which were followed by assaults on Afghanistan.
At the conference, Iran's envoy to Havana, Davoud Salehi said that
Islam attaches utmost importance to listening to others views and
holding dialogue.
He said, "The habit of holding dialogue contributes to
strengthening the bases of freedom, justice, human rights and civility
both at the national and international levels."
Concurrent with the conference, a photography exhibition on Iran's
culture and civilization was held at Cuba's Institute of International
Relations.
At the conference, handouts in English and Spanish prepared by
the Iranian Embassy in Havana on 'dialogue among civilization' were
distributed among participants.
MP/AH
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