| Victorious
from Lebanon |
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri
was in Tehran to meet and hold talks with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, President
Khatami and Majlis Speaker Hojjatoleslam Karrubi.
Both sides congratulated each other on the developments in southern Lebanon and stressed
that the Palestinian nation should be free to decide about their land and their destiny.
“Resistance, endeavor and unity are the three key factors needed for future
victories,” emphasized Ayatollah Khamenei. |
|
| New Chapters
in Tehran-Canberra Relations |
Only weeks before the inauguration of
Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, Australia’s Foreign Minister Alexander Downer visited
Iran, holding separate meetings with President Khatami, Minister of Culture and Islamic
Guidance Ataollah Mohajerani, Foreign Minister Kharrazi, and chairman of the Expediency
Council Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani.
Expanding Iran-Australia cooperation particularly in oil, gas, agriculture and mining was
the focus of economic discussions. In addition, subjects such as dialogue among
civilizations, tourism and anti-drug combat were also covered. |
|
| Dialogue in
Beijing |
President Mohammad
Khatami and Chinese President Jiang Zemin had several topics to discuss during their June
meeting in Beijing. Cultural and historical commonalties between the two countries, and
identical views of the two Presidents bring Iran and China closer.
Referring to the Silk Road as a link between the hearts of Iranian and Chinese nations,
President Khatami called Iran and China as cradles of two great civilizations. He also
stressed that both Iran and China wished to remain independent. |
|
| Planning for
Caracas Summit |
In his 10-nation tour to OPEC member
states, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez met with heads of state to make further
coordination on the oil market and prices while personally inviting the presidents to
attend the upcoming OPEC Summit in Caracas.
Conferring with his Venezuelan counterpart, President Khatami said OPEC should not limit
itself to the issue of oil prices, but must rather have an impact on world economy. Iran
and Venezuela issued a joint communique at the end of the visit, stating that any rise or
decline in oil output should take place within the framework of a mechanism adopted by the
OPEC members in Vienna Conference. |
|
| A Milestone, A
Friendship |
| President Mohammad
Khatami became the first senior Iranian official to visit Germany in 32 years. His
landmark visit to Germany was not only significant in terms of politics and economy, but
also instrumental in establishing a new cultural friendship. The more President Khatami
and President Johannes Rau talked, the more they found common views on culture, history,
and philosophy. |
|
| ... And a
Turning Point |
| As one achievement,
Germany’s Hermes increased Iran’s insurance cover from the former 200 million to
one billion deutsche marks. Agreements between President Khatami and German Chancellor
Schroeder included activation of Iran-Germany Joint Economic Commission, cultural
exchanges, environment, investment, campaign against drug trafficking and terrorism. The
visit was described by German officials as a turning point in Tehran-Berlin historical
relations. |
|
| Another
Cultural Accord |
The entourage of Qatari Emir was not
limited to politicians. Cultural authorities were among the visitors to enhance
Tehran-Doha cultural ties by signing more accords. One official was head of Qatar State
Radio and Television Broadcasting who signed an agreement with the Iranian Minister of
Culture and Islamic Guidance Dr. Ataollah Mohajerani.
Taking over the periodical chairmanship of the Organization of Islamic Conference from
Iran, Qatar was in constant negotiations with the Islamic Republic officials. |
|
| Cradle of
Faith and Monotheism |
In the 1700th anniversary of the adherence of Armenians to their religion and
founding of the Black Church (Qara Kelissa) in Iran, leader of the world Armenians
Archbishop Jasliq Aram Keshishian praised officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran for
safeguarding religious freedoms of ethnic minorities living in the country.
Calling Iran a cradle of faith and monotheism, he praised President Khatami’s
personality and said reform and dialogue are main factors for development and
understanding between nations. He stressed that Iranian Armenians will stand by other
Iranian brethren in exerting efforts for the development of their country. |
|
| Next OIC
Chairman |
| Qatari Emir Sheikh
Hamad Ibn Khalifa Al-Thani is one of the closest Arab allies of the Islamic Republic of
Iran. During the past three years, he has attended the OIC Summit in Tehran, hosted
President Khatami in Qatar and again paid an official visit to Iran accompanied by a
number Qatari officials. The Emir of Qatar met and held talks with President Mohammad
Khatami and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei about the roles and
responsibilities of the Organization of Islamic Conference, issues facing the world of
Islam and greater cooperation between Tehran and Doha. |
|
| OPEC and the
Persian Gulf |
Kuwaiti Oil Minister Sheikh Saud Nasser
al-Sabah was in Tehran late July. It was necessary for the two OPEC members to exchange
views over the past and future developments of the oil supply and demand, as well as the
need for regional cooperation to protect security and stability of the Persian Gulf
without external interference.
Receiving the Kuwaiti Oil Minister, President Khatami voiced his support for the price
mechanism adopted by OPEC to stabilize prices in the interests of both oil producers and
consumers. Improving oil prices is a common demand of Iran and Kuwait as two countries
that have sustained human and material damages in two imposed wars. |
|
