Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei on Thursday called the new Iranian calendar year of 1387 (March 20, 2008-March 20, 2009) as the year of "innovation and flourishment." "This year, the atmosphere of innovation should dominate the country and all officials should consider themselves duty bound in using all the financial and spiritual facilities to present new and innovative works and shortcuts through sound management,
right planing and wise handling of affairs so that people will get happy with outcome of the said efforts," said the Iranian leader in his new year televised address broadcast just after start of the New Year.
Khamenei said that the new year will mark the 30th anniversary of establishment of the Islamic Republic system after years of successful defense of the country's independence and national dignity as well as brilliant achievements in the scientific other fields. "All the efforts will remain ever outstanding and permanent in Iran's history."
In his address, he recalled "remarkable" events in the previous year, including detaining of 15 British sailors and marines in Iranian territorial waters in the Persian Gulf on March 23 and then their pardoning and release on April 5. "In start of the year 1386, there was arrest of aggressive foreign sailors and then their pardoning and release, which presented a powerful and at the same time a patient and highly forgiving image of Iranian nation to the world people."
