Former president Rafsanjani speech at Friday prayers

(28 Oct 2005) SHOTLIST

1. Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Iranian ex-president and head of state arbitrary Expediency Council, going towards podium
2. Worshippers chanting slogans
3. Wide of Hashemi Rafsanjani speaking at Friday Prayers
4. Some Palestinians attending the prayers
5. Wide of worshippers at Friday Prayers
6. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Hashemi Rafsanjani, Iranian ex-president :
"West and Israel face a paradox. Are you in earnest telling the public opinion that you observe the Human Rights? How can you tell the truth while you did not preach your lessons in Palestine? You are lying! If you tell the truth you should justify this for the people. You clearly have no excuse and these Palestinian refugees are the best witnesses."
7. Cutaway, a camera with shot of Rafsanjani
8. Wide of Hashemi Rafsanjani speaking
9. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Hashemi Rafsanjani, Iranian ex-president :
"As a nation which has passed difficult experiences and has shown its resistance in different fronts, we are serious in achieving our rights. You should be fair a little bit and behave properly. I hope you would make no problems for our country, the region and for yourself in such issue which can be solved through negotiations in future."
10. Wide of worshippers chanting slogans against America

STORYLINE:

Iran's former leader Hashemi Rafsanjani tried to play down a controversial call by the country's ultraconservative president demanding Israel's destruction.

World leaders have condemned remarks made Wednesday by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who repeated the words of the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, founder of Iran's Islamic revolution, by saying "Israel must be wiped off the map."

But, Rafsanjani, who is still considered an influential figure in Iran, toned down the call during his Friday Prayers sermon, saying issues should be resolved through negotiations.

Rafsanjani also demanded that Palestinians were granted their human rights.

Rafsanjani told his audience, who were mostly the same people who attended the rallies, that five million Palestinian refugees must be allowed to return home and vote with all others living in Israel and Palestinian territories.

However, Ahmadinejad joined hundreds of thousands of Iranians in one of multiple street protests in the capital, Tehran, on Friday and said his comments were "voice of truthseeking."

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