2
6 THE JAPAN TIMES TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2009 (3) Iran national day Japan ties’ mutual respect model for global relations Seyed Abbas Araghchi AMBASSADOR OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN TO JAPAN ------------------------------------------ In the Name of God, the Com- passionate, the Merciful On the auspicious occasion of the 30th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revo- lution in Iran, I would like to hereby convey through the col- umns of The Ja- pan Times my sincerest greet- ings to Their Imperial Majes- ties Emperor Akihito and Em- press Michiko, and to the gov- ernment and people of Japan. I also welcome this opportu- nity to congratulate my coun- trymen on this happy occa- sion. At the heart of the Middle East, there lies a thousand- year-old country with a very rich culture, which till 1935 was called ‘‘Persia.’’ In that year, the name was changed to Iran, upon the decision of the Iranian government. Iran is situated in southwest Asia and borders the three CIS states, the Republic of Arme- nia, the Republic of Azerbai- jan and the Republic of Turk- menistan, as well as the Caspi- an Sea to the north, Turkey and Iraq to the West, the Per- sian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman to the south, and Pakistan and Afghanistan to the east. Iran is one of oldest coun- tries in the world. Extending nearly 8,000 years, and throughout history Iran has been of geostrategic signifi- cance because of its unique lo- cation in Eurasia. Iran is a founding member of the Unit- ed Nations, NAM, OIC, OPEC and ECO. Iran is a regional power in southwest Asia, and occupies an important posi- tion in the world economy due to its large reserves of petro- leum and natural gas. Iran is also among the few countries that comprise the ‘‘Cradle of Civilization.’’ The name Iran is a cognate of Aryan and liter- ally means ‘‘Land of the Ary- ans.’’ Despite intermittent ag- gression launched against Iran during the past few centu- ries by bloodthirsty maraud- ers such as Genghis Khan, Al- exander the Great and Sad- dam Hussein of Iraq, the peace-loving Iranian nation has remained committed to peace, tranquillity, the pur- suit of knowledge, divinity and justice. On Feb. 11, 1979, the selfless sacrifices of Iranian people under the able leadership of the late Imam Khomeini, came to fruition, paving the way for the establishment of a just political system inspired by Islam, and people’s rights and wishes. Over the past 30 years, Iran has made tremen- dous strides in various fields and consequently the Iranian nation has been able to firmly stand up to foreign aggres- sion, and at the same time con- tribute to regional and inter- national peace and security. The Islamic Republic of Iran as a state with enormous clout has elevated its status to a major regional power in in- ternational developments. The government of Iran in continuation of its develop- ment policy is observing the guiding principles of its ‘‘Twenty-Year Perspective’’ and its four five-year develop- ment plans. With the imple- mentation of these plans, Iran will become an economic pow- erhouse in the region by 2025, which will in turn contribute to its technological and scientific progress. The Islamic Republic of Iran emphasizes justice, com- passion and human dignity as well as mutual respect as its foreign policy guiding princi- ples. Historically, Iran has al- ways sought to have amicable relations with neighboring countries bilaterally and mul- tilaterally. Iran’s foreign poli- cy is based upon rejection of all forms of domination. From the standpoint of the Islamic Republic of Iran, gaining inde- pendence and liberty as well as dispensation of justice com- prise the inalienable rights of all peoples in the world. In brief, the foreign policy doctrine of the Islamic Repub- lic of Iran is based upon the fol- lowing principles. 1. Justice Injustice is the root cause of tension and conflict in political and economic interactions, and gives rise to social oppres- sion. Therefore, one cannot expect to achieve a sustain- able peace without adminis- tering justice in international relations. If international re- lations are based on justice, all nations will be treated equally in the eyes of interna- tional law and consequently no nation can dominate or violate another nation’s rights. 2. Morality Laying great emphasis on spirituality and morality is equally essential. The difficul- ties confronting states in pro- moting bilateral relations can be attributed to not observing spirituality and morality in their dealings, whereas varia- tions in the values of nations should be respected. 3. Human dignity Human dignity is used to signify that all human beings are blessed with intrinsic wor- thiness and deserve uncondi- tional respect, regardless of age, gender, health status and social or ethnic origin. Should this be violated by a bully, it can be considered as discrimi- nation. In other words, every individual is respected merely by the fact that he or she is a ‘‘member of the human fami- ly.’’ Given that states are also represented by individuals, no big power should reserve the right to bully other states, if it does, it has outrageously vio- lated human dignity. 4. Mutual respect International relations the- ory holds that states have the right to be free from foreign intervention. Since morally autonomous citizens hold the rights to liberty, the states that democratically represent them have the right to exer- cise political independence. Mutual respect for these rights then becomes the touch- stone of international rela- tions theory. If mutual respect is observed in interstate rela- tions, it is bound to promote in- ternational peace and securi- ty. Besides mutual respect, if the basic guiding principles of Iran’s foreign policy, that is, justice, compassion and hu- man dignity, are fully abided by in international politics, na- tions can be hopeful of a more durable peace. As long as the international system is char- acterized by an absence of jus- tice, compassion and human dignity, such a system cannot remedy all the malaise it im- poses on interstate relations. The current composition of the U.N. Security Council can be cited as a case in point. The Islamic Republic of Iran is confident in the knowl- edge that if Japan and Iran consult and cooperate closely with each other in this regard, they are likely to come up with practicable solutions to such challenges. Iran has always viewed Japan as an ideal part- ner in that it symbolizes the potential ability of Eastern na- tions for modernization. It has the technology Iran requires and Japan needs the oil Iran wishes to sell. Furthermore, Iran and Ja- pan are ancient civilizations whose relations span centu- ries. These long-term bilater- al relations have remained solid in spite of dramatic inter- national upheavals. Both states have enormous respon- sibility for safeguarding such mutual ties. Given that 2009 marks the 80th anniversary of the establishment of Iran-Ja- pan diplomatic ties, both sides should take measures to fur- ther promote bilateral rela- tions. CONTINUED ON PAGE 7 Everlasting beauty: The interior of Isfahan’s Imam Mosque, which is widely regarded as a masterpiece of Persian architecture. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, president of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, supreme leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Spanning the centuries: Khaju Bridge across the Zayandeh River in Isfahan, Iran, was constructed around 1650. EMBASSY OF IRAN

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  • The Japan Times PUBDATE: 2/10/2009 PAGE: 6 C M Y K OUTPUT TIME: 16:1:3

    2/10/199 / / PT SUP/PG 6/ED 1

    6 THE JAPAN TIMES TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2009 (3)

    Iran national day

    Japan ties’ mutual respect model for global relationsSeyed Abbas AraghchiAMBASSADOR OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC

    OF IRAN TO JAPAN

    ------------------------------------------

    In the Name of God, the Com-passionate, the Merciful

    On the auspicious occasionof the 30th anniversary of thevictory of theIslamic Revo-lution in Iran, Iwould like tohereby conveythrough the col-umns of The Ja-pan Times mysincerest greet-ings to Their Imperial Majes-ties Emperor Akihito and Em-press Michiko, and to the gov-ernment and people of Japan.

    I also welcome this opportu-nity to congratulate my coun-

    trymen on this happy occa-sion.

    At the heart of the MiddleEast, there lies a thousand-year-old country with a veryrich culture, which till 1935was called ‘‘Persia.’’ In thatyear, the name was changedto Iran, upon the decision ofthe Iranian government. Iranis situated in southwest Asiaand borders the three CISstates, the Republic of Arme-nia, the Republic of Azerbai-jan and the Republic of Turk-menistan, as well as the Caspi-an Sea to the north, Turkeyand Iraq to the West, the Per-sian Gulf and the Gulf of Omanto the south, and Pakistan andAfghanistan to the east.

    Iran is one of oldest coun-tries in the world. Extending

    nearly 8,000 years, andthroughout history Iran hasbeen of geostrategic signifi-cance because of its unique lo-cation in Eurasia. Iran is afounding member of the Unit-ed Nations, NAM, OIC, OPEC

    and ECO. Iran is a regionalpower in southwest Asia, andoccupies an important posi-tion in the world economy dueto its large reserves of petro-leum and natural gas. Iran isalso among the few countriesthat comprise the ‘‘Cradle ofCivilization.’’ The name Iranis a cognate of Aryan and liter-ally means ‘‘Land of the Ary-ans.’’ Despite intermittent ag-gression launched againstIran during the past few centu-ries by bloodthirsty maraud-ers such as Genghis Khan, Al-exander the Great and Sad-dam Hussein of Iraq, thepeace-loving Iranian nationhas remained committed topeace, tranquillity, the pur-suit of knowledge, divinity andjustice.

    On Feb. 11, 1979, the selflesssacrifices of Iranian peopleunder the able leadership ofthe late Imam Khomeini,came to fruition, paving theway for the establishment of ajust political system inspiredby Islam, and people’s rightsand wishes. Over the past 30years, Iran has made tremen-dous strides in various fieldsand consequently the Iraniannation has been able to firmlystand up to foreign aggres-sion, and at the same time con-tribute to regional and inter-national peace and security.

    The Islamic Republic ofIran as a state with enormousclout has elevated its status to

    a major regional power in in-ternational developments.The government of Iran incontinuation of its develop-ment policy is observing theguiding principles of its‘‘Twenty-Year Perspective’’and its four five-year develop-ment plans. With the imple-mentation of these plans, Iranwill become an economic pow-erhouse in the region by 2025,which will in turn contribute toits technological and scientificprogress.

    The Islamic Republic ofIran emphasizes justice, com-passion and human dignity aswell as mutual respect as itsforeign policy guiding princi-ples. Historically, Iran has al-ways sought to have amicablerelations with neighboringcountries bilaterally and mul-tilaterally. Iran’s foreign poli-cy is based upon rejection ofall forms of domination. Fromthe standpoint of the IslamicRepublic of Iran, gaining inde-pendence and liberty as wellas dispensation of justice com-prise the inalienable rights ofall peoples in the world.

    In brief, the foreign policydoctrine of the Islamic Repub-lic of Iran is based upon the fol-lowing principles.1. Justice

    Injustice is the root cause oftension and conflict in politicaland economic interactions,and gives rise to social oppres-sion. Therefore, one cannotexpect to achieve a sustain-able peace without adminis-tering justice in internationalrelations. If international re-lations are based on justice,all nations will be treatedequally in the eyes of interna-tional law and consequently nonation can dominate or violateanother nation’s rights.2. Morality

    Laying great emphasis onspirituality and morality isequally essential. The difficul-ties confronting states in pro-moting bilateral relations can

    be attributed to not observingspirituality and morality intheir dealings, whereas varia-tions in the values of nationsshould be respected.3. Human dignity

    Human dignity is used tosignify that all human beingsare blessed with intrinsic wor-thiness and deserve uncondi-tional respect, regardless ofage, gender, health status andsocial or ethnic origin. Shouldthis be violated by a bully, itcan be considered as discrimi-nation. In other words, everyindividual is respected merelyby the fact that he or she i s a‘‘member of the human fami-ly.’’

    Given that states are alsorepresented by individuals, nobig power should reserve theright to bully other states, if itdoes, it has outrageously vio-lated human dignity.4. Mutual respect

    International relations the-ory holds that states have theright to be free from foreignintervention. Since morally

    autonomous citizens hold therights to liberty, the statesthat democratically representthem have the right to exer-cise political independence.Mutual respect for theserights then becomes the touch-stone of international rela-tions theory. If mutual respectis observed in interstate rela-tions, it is bound to promote in-ternational peace and securi-ty.

    Besides mutual respect, ifthe basic guiding principles ofIran’s foreign policy, that is,justice, compassion and hu-man dignity, are fully abidedby in international politics, na-tions can be hopeful of a moredurable peace. As long as theinternational system is char-acterized by an absence of jus-tice, compassion and humandignity, such a system cannotremedy all the malaise it im-poses on interstate relations.The current composition of theU.N. Security Council can becited as a case in point.

    The Islamic Republic of

    Iran is confident in the knowl-edge that if Japan and Iranconsult and cooperate closelywith each other in this regard,they are likely to come up withpracticable solutions to suchchallenges. Iran has alwaysviewed Japan as an ideal part-ner in that it symbolizes thepotential ability of Eastern na-tions for modernization. It hasthe technology Iran requiresand Japan needs the oil Iranwishes to sell.

    Furthermore, Iran and Ja-pan are ancient civilizationswhose relations span centu-ries. These long-term bilater-al relations have remainedsolid in spite of dramatic inter-national upheavals. Bothstates have enormous respon-sibility for safeguarding suchmutual ties. Given that 2009marks the 80th anniversary ofthe establishment of Iran-Ja-pan diplomatic ties, both sidesshould take measures to fur-ther promote bilateral rela-tions.

    CONTINUED ON PAGE 7Everlasting beauty: The interior of Isfahan’s Imam Mosque, which is widely regarded as amasterpiece of Persian architecture.

    Mahmoud Ahmadinejad,president of the IslamicRepublic of Iran

    Ayatollah Ali Khamenei,supreme leader of the IslamicRepublic of Iran

    Spanning the centuries: Khaju Bridge across the Zayandeh River in Isfahan, Iran, wasconstructed around 1650. EMBASSY OF IRAN

  • The Japan Times PUBDATE: 2/10/2009 PAGE: 7 C M Y K OUTPUT TIME: 19:8:20

    2/10/199 / / PT JTE/PG 7/ED 1

    (3) THE JAPAN TIMES TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2009 7

    Iran national day/world

    Human evolution hasn’t ended — it’s speeding upKaren KaplanLos AngelesLOS ANGELES TIMES

    ------------------------------------------

    Blue eyes typically are associ-ated with beauty. But to Uni-versity of Wisconsin anthro-pologist John Hawks, theyrepresent an evolutionarymystery.

    For nearly all of human his-tory, everyone in the worldhad brown eyes. Then, be-tween 6,000 and 10,000 yearsago, the first blue-eyed babywas born somewhere near theBlack Sea.

    For some reason, that ba-by’s descendants gained a 5percent evolutionary advan-tage over their brown-eyedcompetitors, and today thenumber of people with blueeyes tops half a billion.

    ‘‘What does it mean?’’ saidHawks, who studies the forcesthat have shaped the humanspecies for the last 6 millionyears.

    Nobody knows. It is one ofthe unanswered questionsabout evolution that persist200 years after the birth ofCharles Darwin, whose birth-day will be celebrated world-wide Thursday. Darwin diedin 1882.

    Darwin amassed a lifetimeof observations on plants andanimals to conclude that alllife evolved from simple or-ganisms through a painstak-ingly slow process of tiny ran-dom changes that spread ordied through natural selec-tion, resulting in the survivalof the fittest.

    One hundred and fifty yearsafter Darwin published hismasterwork, ‘‘On the Origin ofSpecies,’’ studies on evolutioncontinue. Much of that effortfocuses on the species Darwinconsidered the pinnacle of theevolutionary process: Homosapiens.

    Until recently, conventionalwisdom held that human be-ings had mastered their envi-ronment so thoroughly thatthe imperative to evolve hadin many ways diminished.

    ‘‘People thought that withtechnology and culture, therewould be no reason for physi-cal things to make any differ-ence,’’ said Milford Wolpoff, a

    paleoanthropologist at theUniversity of Michigan. ‘‘Ifyou can ride a horse, it doesn’tmatter if you can run fast.’’

    That turned out to be wrong.As it happens, the pace of evo-lution has been speeding up —not slowing down — in the40,000 years since our ances-tors fanned out from Ethiopiato populate the globe.

    And in the 5,000 to 10,000years since agriculture trig-gered the growth of large soci-eties, the pace has acceleratedto 100 times historical levels.

    ‘‘When there are more peo-ple, there are more muta-tions,’’ Wolpoff said. ‘‘And

    when there are more muta-tions, there’s more selection.’’

    Hawks and other scientistsquantified this in late 2007 bycomparing more than 3 mil-lion genetic variants in theDNA of 269 people of African,European, Asian and NativeAmerican descent. They cre-ated sophisticated computermodels to scour the genome insearch of telltale patterns thatsignal recent adoption of fa-vorable genes.

    Their methods rely on thefact that new mutations arenot inherited in isolation, butare passed along inside largechunks of DNA. Over time,random changes make thosechunks smaller. By compar-ing the length of those chunksin different people, scientistscan estimate how long the ben-eficial mutation has beenspreading through the genepool.

    The analysis turned upabout 1,800 genes — 7 percentof the genome — that havebeen adopted widely in the last40,000 years. Researchers us-ing more conservative meth-ods estimate the number at 300to 500.

    The function of most is un-known. The scientists identi-fied 17 genes for hair cells that

    are involved in hearing thatmay have been under selec-tive pressure because theyhelp people identify voices orspeak tonal languages such asMandarin.

    And they found a number in-volved in brain development,including a version of a dopa-mine receptor gene calledDRD4 that is sweepingthrough the European popula-tion. Some observers think it isa novelty-seeking variant,while others that it affects libi-do. What they do know is thathaving two copies increasesthe odds of attention deficit hy-peractivity disorder.

    Among the genes whosepurpose is understood, the big-gest category is devoted tofighting infectious diseases.The researchers found morethan a dozen new genetic vari-ants spreading rapidly amongAfricans that are involved infighting malaria.

    Scientists previously hadidentified several mutationsthat offered protection againstthe disease. Most were sharedby people of African descent,as the scourge is most wide-spread on that continent. Butmalaria afflicts peoplethroughout the tropics andsubtropics, and additional mu-tations to combat the diseasearose in Thailand and NewGuinea, Hawks said.

    One of the newly discoveredmutations helps defendagainst a form of the diseasein which malaria parasitescongregate in blood cells in theplacenta, causing a high rateof miscarriage.

    Diet is another big force be-hind recent human evolution.As humans transitioned frombeing hunter-gatherers tofarmers, their bodies had toadapt to new kinds of foods.

    The best-known example in-volves the gene that regulatesa person’s ability to make anenzyme required to digest lac-tose, the sugar in milk. Histor-ically, the LCT gene shut downin early childhood as babieswere weaned off breast milk.But after cows, sheep andgoats were domesticated, peo-ple with a mutation that al-lowed them to drink milk asadults had a nutritional ad-

    vantage that made it easierfor them to propagate theirgenes.

    DNA analyses have shownthat the mutation cropped upin Europe about 8,000 yearsago, quickly spreading all theway to India. Today, it is car-ried by more than 95 percent ofpeople of northern Europeandescent.

    A 2007 study bolsters thetheory that the rise of pasto-ralism prompted the gene’sspread. Using new techniquesto analyze ancient DNA, Ger-man and British researcherschecked the genes of eight Eu-ropean farmers who lived7,000 to 7,800 years ago, beforethe widespread adoption of aherding lifestyle. None ofthose early farmers had themutation for lactose toler-ance.

    The adaptation was so im-portant, it happened at leastfive times. Hawks and col-leagues recently discoveredLCT variants that arose inde-pendently over the last 5,000years among herders living inthe Arabian Peninsula andsub-Saharan Africa.

    The human genome is stilladapting to our relatively newagricultural diet based onstarches and sugars.

    Type 2 diabetes may be oneof the consequences. Scien-tists have compared the genet-ic profiles of diabetes patientsto those of healthy controlsand found some recentlyspreading genes that seem toprotect against diabetes by af-fecting the body’s ability to di-gest starches. That may ex-plain why Native Americans,who came to farming relative-

    ly recently, have a higher riskof diabetes, Hawks said.

    The usefulness of blue eyesis far less clear. In his 1871book ‘‘The Descent of Man,and Selection in Relation toSex,’’ Darwin proposed thatblue eyes spread among Euro-peans simply because theywere sexually desirable.

    Some scientists find thattheory plausible. Others pro-pose that blue eyes are a sideeffect of some other trait thatis evolutionarily useful, al-though as yet unidentified.

    Pale skin is a leading con-tender. The earliest humans inAfrica had dark skin to protectagainst the damaging effectsof solar radiation. But as peo-ple migrated farther from theequator, the melanin requiredto make their skin dark be-came less necessary.

    Perhaps they stopped mak-ing unnecessary melanin inorder to conserve energy. Or,people with lighter skin mayhave had a fitness advantagebecause they were more effi-cient at harnessing the weakersunlight of northern climes tomake vitamin D. Ongoingstudies are searching for evi-dence that could settle thequestion.

    Humans are continuing toevolve in response to diseases,diet, climate and other factors.But technological advanceshave made natural selection ‘‘amuch less potent force on us inthe present than it was in thepast,’’ said Noah Rosenberg, ahuman geneticist at the Uni-versity of Michigan.

    Today, lactose-intolerantkids can compensate by drink-ing soy milk and eating readi-ly available nutritious foods.People deficient in vitamin Dcan take a supplement. Mod-ern medicines also might havereduced the pressure for thegene pool to create and spreadmutations that would protectagainst new diseases.

    But without a time ma-chine, all science can do ismake an educated guess as towhere the human genome isheading, said Jerry Coyne, anevolutionary biologist at theUniversity of Chicago: ‘‘Thereare some things we’re nevergoing to know.’’

    Darwin’s sense of wonder changed how we see the worldLondonAP

    ------------------------------------------

    It is well known that CharlesDarwin’s groundbreaking the-ory of evolution made manypeople furious because it con-tradicted the biblical view ofcreation. But few know that italso created problems forDarwin at home with his deep-ly religious wife, Emma.

    Darwin held back the bookto avoid offending his wife,said Ruth Padel, the natural-ist’s great-great-granddaugh-ter. ‘‘She said he seemed to beputting God further and fur-ther off,’’ Padel said in hernorth London home. ‘‘But theytalked it through, and she said,‘Don’t change any of your ide-as for fear of hurting me.’ ’’

    The 1859 publication of ‘‘Onthe Origin of Species’’ changedscientific thought forever —and generated opposition thatcontinues to this day. This ele-

    gant explanation of how speciesevolve through natural selec-tion has in many ways changedhow people see the world.

    Bob Bloomfield, specialprojects director at London’sMuseum of Natural History,said Darwin was cautious notonly because he didn’t want tooffend his wife, but also be-cause he understood that theconcept of man’s evolutionfrom other animals was con-troversial. He didn’t want topresent it simply as a hypothe-sis, but as an explanation but-tressed by many observationsand facts.

    ‘‘He knew he had to make anabsolutely iron-cast case forhis theory,’’ Bloomfield said.‘‘He was one of the earliest truescientists, where everythinghe was prepared to write abouthad to be based on evidence.’’

    Darwin’s small, handwrit-ten diaries are on display at anexhibition at the Museum of

    Natural History, as well asthousands of specimens he col-lected. Some came from hisfive-year trip to South Ameri-ca aboard the Beagle, when hevisited the remote GalapagosIslands and saw how somespecies had adapted to itsstrange environment.

    The diaries offer insights in-to Darwin’s meticulous, ana-lytical approach. He even liststhe pros and cons of gettingmarried.

    The advantages? A wifewould be a constant compan-ion, a friend in old age, and fillthe house with music and fem-inine chitchat. The cons? Los-ing the freedom to come andgo as he pleased and to read asmuch as he wanted at night.Visiting relatives. And hewould have to spend money onchildren, not books.

    After much deliberation,Darwin renounced the singlelife: ‘‘One cannot live this soli-

    tary life, with groggy old age,friendless & cold, & childlessstaring one in ones face, al-ready beginning to wrinkle,’’he concluded.

    It is in the diaries that Dar-win’s personality best comesthrough, said Padel, one of 72great-great-grandchildren.

    ‘‘That’s where his real lifewas,’’ said Padel, an ac-claimed poet. ‘‘He had themost amazing sense of won-der. He was always thinking,‘How does that work?’ Andthat led him to everything.’’

    Once he married, Darwinturned his family into willingresearch assistants. He enlist-ed his wife to play piano to ajar of earthworms on the pianolid to see if they would respondto music (they didn’t).

    Stephen Keynes, a great-grandson, said Darwin alsoenlisted his children to throwflour on bees so the path oftheir flight could be followed.There are no reports of any ofthe children being stung.

    ‘‘He was the most wonderfulfather ever,’’ said Keynes, 81.‘‘He allowed his children ac-cess to his study, where he wasworking at any time.’’

    He was also an innovator athome. He put wheels on thechair in his study so he couldget to his specimens morequickly — and, bingo, the mod-ern office chair was invented.

    His passion to understandnature’s unseen workingsmade him a frequent visitor tothe London Zoo, where hemade friends with an orang-utan called Jenny. He offeredJenny a mouth organ andshowed her her reflection inthe mirror. He also noted thatwhen her keeper would notgive her an apple, she poutedand sulked like a child. Theseseemingly trivial observa-tions helped Darwin develophis theory that man evolvedfrom primates.

    ‘‘He was very interested inthe expressions of animalsand in particular primatesand how similar they could beto humans,’’ said Becky Coe,an education director at thezoo, which is setting up a tem-porary ‘‘Darwin Trail’’ usinganimals to help explain evolu-tion. Coe said Darwin wentback to the zoo time and timeagain to make sure he hadphysical evidence for everyaspect of his theory.

    Darwin’s inquisitivenessoutlasted his physical vigor.

    ‘‘Late in life, when he wasquite ill, he would look atplants curling up at the win-dow, bending to the light, andhe would wonder, ‘How do theydo that?’ ’’ said Padel. ‘‘He wasconstantly thinking of rela-tionships, and that led him tounderstand natural selection.He realized that every popula-tion is in competition with ev-ery other. He realized that ishow species adapt, becausethey are always competing forlight, water and food.’’

    What would he be doing if hewere alive today?

    Padel thinks he would prob-ably be studying DNA and theimmune system. And shethinks the great scribblerwould be online much of thetime. ‘‘He’d be a demon at e-mail,’’ she said.

    Clear-eyed: Charles Darwin proposed that blue eyes — theresult of a fairly recent mutation — spread among Europeansbecause they were sexually desirable. AFP-JIJI

    Choice words: Poet RuthPadel, great-great-grand-daughter of Charles Darwin,reads from her book‘‘Darwin: A Life in Poems’’ inLondon last Tuesday. AP

    Japan ties’ mutual respectCONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

    The Iranian governmenthas always welcomed the un-sparing efforts of Japanaimed at promoting peace,stability and prosperity inAsia, the Middle East and oth-er regions. Being mutuallyaware of each other’s politicaland economic importance,both sides should hold wide-ranging consultations to ex-plore solutions to emerging re-gional and international chal-lenges.

    The volume of trade be-tween the two countries wasaround $20 billion in 2008. Iranis one of the main oil suppliersof Japan and 12 percent to 14percent of Japan’s crude oilrequirements are supplied byIran. Japan has been one ofthe main suppliers of Iranianindustrial and technicalneeds. Potential for new fieldsof cooperation between thetwo countries exists, and I dohope that with the guidanceand continued support of theJapanese government we wit-ness further participation ofthe Japanese private sector inIran. Culturally speaking,both nations are deeply rootedin ancient civilizations. Iranas one of the cradles of ancientcivilizations enjoys enormous

    influence in Asia and the Mid-dle East. The geostrategic po-sition of Iran has transformedit into a major confluence ofAsian cultures and traditions.

    In the Sassanid era, the SilkRoad was not only an ancientinternational trade route butalso a splendid cultural bridgelinking Iran as the country of‘‘flower, poetry and mysti-cism’’ and Japan as the coun-try of the ‘‘rising sun.’’ In re-cent years, cultural exchang-es between the two countrieshave gained momentum. Witha view to further promotingthese relations, Iran and Ja-pan have intensified their cul-tural communications by or-ganizing exhibitions, eventsand film festivals, for jointmovie production, as well asacademic exchange and Per-sian-language seminars, etc.

    As I mentioned earlier,since this year marks the 80thanniversary of the establish-ment of diplomatic relations,and the 50th anniversary of theentry into force of the culturalagreement between Iran andJapan, I am confident in theknowledge that the cordial bi-lateral relations between ourtwo countries would be furtherpromoted in various fields andat different levels.

    Solons work to expand relationship

    Taro NakayamaCHAIRMAN, JAPAN-IRAN

    PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDSHIP LEAGUE

    ---------------------------------------

    On behalf of the Japan-IranParliamentary FriendshipLeague, I would like to conveymy heartfeltcongratulationson the 30thanniversary ofthe victory ofthe IslamicRevolution inIran.

    Japan andIran historically have hadamicable relations. This yearmarks the 80th anniversary ofthe establishment of diplomatic

    relations. Bilateral ties haveexpanded through dialoguebetween the leaders of the twocountries from June 2008 andalso through the exchange ofhigh-level visits, in particularthe successful visit of thespecial envoy of the presidentof the Islamic Republic of Iranto Japan.

    I hope that through thefurther cooperation ofparliamentarians of the twocountries, we witness theexpansion of Japan-Iran ties inall areas.

    I send my best wishes to thepeople of Iran for their furtherprosperity and continueddevelopment of our cordial ties.

    Cultural heritage: A gold rhyton (drinking vessel) from Iran’sAchaemenid period

    Do you think youhave a problem

    with alcohol? CallALCOHOLICSANONYMOUS(03) 3971-1471

    www.aatokyo.org

    Since agriculturetriggered the growth oflarge societies, the paceof human evolution hasaccelerated to 100times historical levels.

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