President sends New Year's, Christmas greetings to pope

[Payman Arabshahi <payman@xxxxxxxx>]

   TEHRAN, Dec 31 (AFP) - Iranian President Mohammad Khatami sent  
Pope John Paul II a message Thursday with holiday greetings to all 
Christians on the beginning of 1999 and the anniversary of the birth 
of Jesus Christ. 
    "I congratulate sincerely your excellency, Christian freedom  
lovers and all the monotheists on the auspicious birthday 
anniversary of Jesus Christ and advent of the Christian year 1999," 
the message said, according to the official IRNA news agency. 
   He stressed that the "valuable teachings of Jesus Christ, son of  
Mary," are cited in the Koran as "spirit of God" and "word of God." 
   The "valuable teachings of that great messenger and all the  
divine prophets are a new approach towards releasing man and society 
at the end of a century full of uproar, violence and selfishness," 
Khatami said. 
   The president added that he hoped the new year would be one "of  
understanding, peace, civility, solidarity and cooperation among all 
human beings and societies." 


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