A pro-reform Iranian newspaper said Monday that President Mohammed Khatami should be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001 for his efforts to create a "dialogue among civilizations."
The Iran Daily, which is published by the state news agency IRNA, said "Khatami's message has been well received in the international arena," citing the Islamic republic's improving ties with the rest of the world.
"Juxtapose Khatami's achievements with respect to a universal dialogue for genuine human understanding with the contributions of previous Nobel laureates, and we immediately understand how strong a natural contender he is for the same award," the paper said in an editorial.
It said there would even be strong backing for Khatami "within the ranks of (the) Jewish intelligentsia that would welcome his nomination and work towards that end."
Since his 1997 election, Khatami has worked to improve Iran's relations with the west and one of his chief slogans, a "dialogue among civilizations," has been adopted by the United Nations.
The paper also hailed Khatami, a moderate cleric, for his presentation of Islam on the world stage, saying that he had helped "reduce animosities toward Iran and rejuvenate the nation's standing within the community of nations." – TEHRAN (AFP)
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
