Iran Declares 'Innocence' in Argentina Bombing
Iran on Tuesday declared that the "innocence" would be proved of its nationals accused of the 1994 bombing that leveled a Jewish charity building in Argentina and killed 85 people.
"If in fair conditions and within legal procedures a serious effort is made to shed light on this action, the error in this case and the attempt by some to implicate some citizens of our country will become known and the innocence of our nationals will be proven," Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast told reporters.
Mehmanparast's comments come a day after Argentinian Foreign Minister Hector Timerman said that Buenos Aires is studying an offer from Iran to cooperate with the investigation into the bombing.
Monday marked the 17th anniversary of the attack that destroyed the seven-story AMIA building in Buenos Aires. Aside from the 85 deaths, 300 people were injured in the blast.
Argentine officials allege the attack, the worst terror strike ever on Argentine soil, was carried out by members of the Lebanese Shiite militant group Hezbollah on Tehran's orders.
But Mehmanparast denied Iran was involved.
"As we told Argentine officials and others, we condemn all terrorist actions because we are the largest victims of terrorists," he said.
"This way, it will become clear which countries and what illegitimate regime (Israel) and groups are working to create ambiguities in this issue and see their interests in keeping the truth in the dark.
"We have announced our readiness to continue working (with Argentineans) under the mentioned conditions," he added.
For years Iran had refused to collaborate with Argentina but on Saturday, Iran's foreign ministry said in a statement that it was "ready for a constructive dialogue" with Buenos Aires on the case.
Timerman said Monday that Argentina had officially received details of Iran's proposal. "I am going to study it closely, I believe it is a step forward," he told reporters.
Argentina has issued warrants for the arrest of five Iranians, including Ahmad Vahidi, Iran's current minister of defence; former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and ex-foreign minister Ali Akbar Velayati, as well as a Lebanese man for their alleged roles in the bombing.
Three days ago, the Argentinean prosecutor investigating issue urged Iran to hand over any suspects in the case.
"If the Iranians and their government are ready to cooperate, they should do so once and for all, and the only way possible: by handing over all of those accused in this terrible terrorist attack... and not making statements devoid of content which lead nowhere," prosecutor Alberto Nisman said in a statement.
Mehmanparast evaded queries by reporters regarding Nisman's demand.
Source: Agence France Presse
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