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Khatami: Iran will always remain beside Afghanistan |
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Tehran, Aug 13, IRNA -- "Iranian nation have always been beside the oppressed Afghan nation in their long fight to attain independence and will never leave them alone," Khatami told reporters at Mehrabad International Airport here before departing for Afghanistan. Pointing to historical bonds between Iran and Afghanistan, he said, "Iran has played an outstanding and decisive role to establish peace and stability in Afghanistan and after the establishment of Loya Jirga or assembly of elders and the transitional government relations between Tehran and Kabul have been specially good." "Afghanistan, after putting behind several decades of suffering and hardship, needs tranquility," Khatami said, adding that, "The country is blessed with abundant talent and its nation deserves greater development and progress." He stressed that peace and stability are the prime conditions for progress and development in Afghanistan and there must be grounds for the establishment of a powerful national government in that country. Groups of diverse political inclination must think about the dignity of Afghanistan and they must not cede any concession to a super power, Khatami said. "If there is any world power in Afghanistan, it must help the establishment of peace and progress in that country and the Islamic Republic of Iran is the harbinger of peace and stability in Afghanistan and a boost to the ruling government," the Iranian president said. Iran has made the biggest assistance to Afghanistan during the last year, Khatami said, adding his trip is intended to express solidarity with the Afghan nation and strengthen the government in power in that country as well as paving the grounds for its reconstruction. The Iranian president pointed to commonalties between the two countries in regards to the history, civilization and culture and said, "Historical bonds between the two nations have tied up the two countries' fates." Iran's President Seyed Mohammad Khatami, heading a political, economic and cultural delegation, arrived in Kabul on Tuesday morning for an official one-day visit to the country. Khatami was seen off at Mehrabad International Airport by Head of the Supreme Leader's Office Hojjatoleslam Gholamhossein Mohammadi Golpayegani and a number of ministers and MPs. Iran's Ministers of Foreign Affairs Kamal Kharrazi, Economy and Financial Affairs Tahmasb Mazaheri and Science, Research and Technology Mostafa Moin as well as Vice President Ma'soumeh Ebtekar and a number of MPs are accompanying President Khatami in his visit to Afghanistan. |
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