¡¡¡¡TEHRAN, Dec. 28 (Xinhuanet) -- Iranian Defense Minister Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani on Saturday called for the international community to "try to replace mistrust with good-will in their relations" in 2003.

¡¡¡¡Shamkhani made the good-will overture in a message congratulating the new Christian year to his counterparts worldwide, the official IRNA news agency reported.

¡¡¡¡He regretted that "while the great soul of Jesus Christ propagates justice for all through materializing people's rights, violence in today's world is growing in the name of Christianity."

¡¡¡¡"The coalition for peace is undoubtedly a response to the call of that great soul and is the best model at the prevailing criticaljuncture," Shamkhani wrote in the message.

¡¡¡¡"A coalition for war and any effort to use the levers of power to solve the current problems of the world is the most unfortunate incident that might happen," he added.

¡¡¡¡The Iranian defense minister highlighted the need for the international community to promote coexistence and resolve disputesthrough negotiations regardless of ideological and racial differences. Enditem

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