Tehran has set preconditions for the visit of Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri to Tehran, Tehran Times newspaper reported on Wednesday. Naji was scheduled to visit Tehran this week.
The upcoming visit drew sharp criticism of some MPs and President Mohammad Khatami has instructed Mohammad Ali Abtahi, vice president for parliamentary and legal affairs, to agree with the trip of Sabri to Iran only if all conditions of Iran are fulfilled, the report said. The conditions were put forth during Naji's previous visit to Tehran but Iraq has not taken any measure in this regard, the Iranian newspaper disclosed.
The conditions Khatami has put forth include: Iraq must once again officially announces its commitment to the Algiers Treaty of 1975; must announce its commitment to full implementation of the UN Resolution 598 and pay war indemnities to Iran; must apologize to the Iranian nation for imposing an eight-year war on Iran; and must release all Iranian POWs - those registered and those kept in Iraq but considered missing in action.
A meeting of the high council of Foreign Ministry was held on Monday during which Khatami's instruction was read. The ministry decided to remind Baghdad of the conditions and postpone Sabri's visit till those conditions are fulfilled.
The ministry also decided to send an envoy to Iraq to brief the officials on the issue, Tehran Times reported.
Following these developments the Parliament cancelled the impeachment of Foreign Minister, Kamal Kharrazi. However, some MPs announced that they would not withdraw until achieving their objectives that is protecting national interests. An MP said, "If Saddam complies with Iran's conditions, ties will be resumed with Baghdad." (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
