Tehran, Oct 26, IRNA -- A leading, but embattled Iranian political party said here today that long life of the Islamic Republic can be ensured through supporting President Khatami's plans.

Islamic Revolution Mujahedin Organization (IRMO), in a statement issued on Saturday said that pursuing the two main objectives of President Khatami's roadmap policies, namely the promotion of peace globally, and upgrading democracy internally, would immune the country against any threat under the the present sensitive circumstances.

The statement a copy of which was cabled to IRNA commented on the developments taking shape in the region and said the United States is very likely to launch a military strike against Iraq.

It said the Iranian authorities would do better to draw up a clear, realistic and effective strategy to deal with any possible problem jeopardizing the national independence and interests.

The IMRO communique also calls for stronger unity and solidarity among the nation and their officials so that the Iranian system could continue its effective role in dealing with the regional and international issues.

It said adoption of an impartial stand vis-a-vis the issue of a possible attack by the United States on Iraq would be the rational attitudes for Iran to opt for.

It said the Iranian authorities should preferably use any diplomatic means to settle the conflict in the region.

A new US resolution on tough military action against Iraq has faced harsh reaction from the veto-wielding permanent members of the UN Security Council.

Russia and France had earlier expressed their opposition to the US draft on military action against Iraq.

Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw conceded Wednesday that a second UN resolution may prove necessary to authorize military actions against Iraq due to the current impasse at the Security Council.

White House spokesman Ari Fletcher on Tuesday indicated that the US was running out of patience with members of the Security Council voicing objections to freshly-worded draft proposals to force Iraq to comply with arms inspectors or face military action.

The communique further said enemies' plan is dealing blows on the Islamic system by fuelling the differences in personal viewpoints of some figures in the society.

Officials and politicians have to act in a way to guarantee the national interest and to contribute to the national concord, the communique adds.

It stresses the need for proper measures to reinforce solidarity between the nation and the government and said the Islamic Revolution has provided appropriate grounds for the people to play a constructive role in state-related affairs.

The communique further underlines the prime importance of reaching a national concord and says it would narrow the gap between the officials and people and would guarantee Iran's national interests.

IIPF says legal actions against polling institute contradict law

In a statement issued on Saturday, the IIPF said that the charges brought by the Judiciary against the polling institute are not valid, adding that such actions by the Judiciary may lead to discrediting the justice system.

The IIPF, the largest political party said that if the Judiciary presses ahead with its actions against officials in charge of the polling institute, it would further violate Islamic and humanitarian ethics, since the charges brought about are irrelevant.

The statement called on the Judiciary to review the accusations against officials of the polling institute and abandon the charges leveled against them.

... Payvand News - 10/27/02 ... --