Iran, Syria call for expansion of ties
Tehran, IRNA -- Visiting Syrian First Vice President Abd al-Halim Khaddam conferred with Iranian counterpart Mohammad-Reza Aref on expansion and consolidation of ties between the two countries.
At the meeting, Aref underlined the need to promote the activities of the Iran-Syria Economic Commission and follow up the agreements signed earlier between the two countries.
Exchange of visits by officials of the two sides will help upgrade political, economic and cultural cooperation, he said. Both Iran and Syria share very close stands on regional and international developments, he noted calling for immediate withdrawal of occupying forces from Iraq and underlined the need to restore that country`s independence and sovereignty.
He called for the formation of a democratic government under the supervision of the United Nations in Iraq. Underlining the need to reconstruct Iraq, he said Iran and Syria can take part in the country`s reconstruction campaign under the supervision of the United Nations.
Aref also pointed to the need for collective efforts by all Muslim countries to help restore the legitimate rights of the Palestinians and pave the way for the return of refugees to their homeland.
According to the Information and Press Bureau of the Presidential office, Khaddam, for his part, described the existing level of ties between Iran and Syria as `good` and called for further consolidation and expansion of all-out cooperation in various economic and cultural fields as well as in sharing technological know-how.
Highlighting the significant impact on boosting ties between Iran and Syria at regional and international levels, he called for cooperation among Islamic countries to help restore stability and security in the region.
On continuation of Israel`s policies and its impacts on the region, he called for serious efforts by Islamic countries to find a logical solution to offset conspiracies hatched by a number of powers in the region.
Unity among various political parties and ethnic groups in Iraq will lead to establishment of a democratic government in the country, he pointed out. Iran and Syria can help various groups and political wings in Iraq to get united, he concluded.
http://www.iranmania.com/News/ArticleView/Default.asp?NewsCode=18371&NewsKind=Current%20Affairs (( Allied members of the Axis of Evil Club, Time to Re-act? ))
FM: Iran ought to prevent nuclear issue from going to Security Council
01-10-2003
Iran's Foreign Minister said Wednesday that his country must prevent its nuclear dossier being transferred to the United Nations Security Council, without specifying if Tehran would satisfy an International Atomic Energy Agency ultimatum.
"This question must not be sent to the (U.N.) Security Council. This must be prevented," Kamal Kharazi was quoted as saying by IRNA news agency on the eve of a visit by the nuclear watchdog's inspectors.
"The official position of the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding the additional protocol ... is for greater cooperation with the IAEA. We are determined to have an active and transparent cooperation with the agency," Kharazi said.
The IAEA has set October 31 as a deadline for Iran to prove that it is not covertly developing nuclear weapons.
http://www.albawaba.com/news/index.php3?sid=259961&lang=e&dir=news