Qatar has called on Iran to contribute for a stable oil price. Meanwhile, the two countries condemned the Afghanistan ruling Taliban’s moves to destroy Buddhist sites.
The call was made on Monday by Qatari emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani who asked Iranian President Mohammad Khatami to throw weight behind stabilized oil prices, and prevent oil price fall in the world markets.“Iran plays a key role in the decision-making processes of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)” Sheikh Hamad said in the telephone conversation, cited by Iran news agency (IRNA).
For his part, Khatami said that the rights of all OPEC member states should be enforced and called on OPEC members to undertake efforts in stabilizing world oil prices. OPEC says It has cut output by 1.5 million bpd -- five percent of its total production -- since February the 1st in order to keep prices around 25 dollars per barrel. The world's second largest gas reserves after Russia is Iran, as it’s the second largest oil producer in OPEC after Saudi Arabia, said the agency.
Meanwhile, both leaders voiced their denunciation of continuing destruction of historical statues by the ruling hard-line Taliban in Afghanistan.
Khatami dismissed the demolition of statues as "inhumane, violent and counterculture" under the guise of Islam, said IRNA.
He also called on the Organization of the Islamic Conference to take stern action toward this thorny issue.
“Qatar will spare no efforts in cessation of Taliban's irresponsible acts” Sheikh Hamad said.
The Taliban have vowed to destroy all statues in the country including two massive ancient Buddhas in Bamiyan. Since last week They have smashed major statue collections in several parts of the country when supreme leader Mullah Mohammad Omar issued a decree to destroy what he termed un-Islamic idols. However, reports have said that the decision was not implemented yet, quoting locals. Observers say the decision was meant to attract the world’s attention to the country which faces UN sanctions.The UN demands that the Taliban hand over suspected militant Osama bin Laden, who tops the US wanted list for the 1998 bombing of two American embassies in Africa, killing 12 Americans and more than 200 locals.Taliban is recognized by Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, while Iran supports the Northern Alliance backing overthrown Afghan President against the Taliban, which now controls some 90 percent of the country – Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
