Ain-Al-Yaqeen - October 15, 2004

		October 15, 2004

THE RESULT OF SULTAN QABOOS AND PRESIDENT KHATAMI'S TALKS IN MUSCAT.
A JOINT OMANI-IRANIAN COMMUNIQUE THAT STRESSES THE UNITY AND SOVEREIGNTY OF IRAQ.
BOTH COUNTRIES CONDEMN TERRORISM AND CALL FOR THE INTENSIFICATION OF EFFORTS TO COMBAT IT.

Iranian President Dr Sayyed Mohammed Khatami and his delegation left the Sultanate of Oman after a two-day visit. Sultan Qaboos led the farewell party for the Iranian leader at the Royal Airport.

President Khatami was accorded an official farewell. After a brief pause at the Hall of Honour at the Royal Airport, Sultan Qaboos accompanied the Iranian President to the podium where he was saluted by a guard of honour. The Second Squadron of the Royal Guard of Oman's band played the Iranian national anthem and Omani Royal Anthem while a 21-gun salute rang out in honour of Dr Khatami.

The Commander of the guard of honour stepped forward and requested the Sultan and the Iranian President to inspect the honour guard.

Later, the Iranian President shook hands with members of the farewell party comprising the respective presidents of the Majlis Addawla and Majlis Ash"shura, ministers, the Inspector General of Police and Customs, the Chief of Internal Security Service, the Chief of Staff of the Sultan"s Armed Forces (SAF), commanders of wings of SAF, and members of the Mission of Honour.

Sultan Qaboos also shook hands with high-ranking officials accompanying Dr Khatami on his visit.

Then President Khatami shook hands with senior members of the farewell party comprising Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmood al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers, Sayyid Shabib bin Taimour al Said, Adviser to the Sultan for Environmental Affairs, Sayyid Haitham bin Tareq al Said, Minister of Heritage and Culture, Sayyid Shihab bin Tareq al Said, Adviser to the Sultan, Sayyid Ali bin Hamoud al Busaidy, Minister of the Diwan of the Royal Court, General Ali bin Majid al Maamari, Minister of the Royal Office, Sayyid Badr bin Saud al Busaidy, Minister Responsible for Defence Affairs, Sayyid Saud bin Ibrahim al Busaidy, Minister of Interior, and Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdallah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs.

At the foot of the ramp of the aircraft, Sultan Qaboos bid goodbye to the Iranian President, wishing him a safe journey home. At the end of the farewell ceremony, the Sultan's motorcade left the Royal Airport. The Iranian President was accompanied during his visit to the Sultanate by Dr Kamal Kharazi, Foreign Minister, Admiral Ali Shamkhani, Minister of Defence and Support, Ish'haq Jahangiri, Minister of Industry and Minerals, Khatami, Head of the President's Office, and senior Iranian officials.

Oman and Iran issued a joint statement affirming their common desire to further strengthen their deep-rooted ties and expand co-operation in all areas of their bilateral relationship.

Both sides also expressed common views on a broad range of regional and international issues, notably on Iraq, the Middle East conflict, and international terrorism.

Iranian President Sayyed Mohammed Khatami's two-day visit to the Sultanate, at the invitation of Sultan Qaboos, underscored the 'ties of fraternity' binding the two leaders and their peoples, the statement said.

It hailed the warm welcome extended to the Iranian leader by Sultan Qaboos as reflective of the depth of bilateral ties and the deep-rooted relations between the two countries.

Furthermore, a spirit of amicability and frankness characterised talks between the two leaders, who discussed issues concerning the distinguished bilateral relations and a host of regional and international issues of common interest.

"The two sides expressed satisfaction with the progress of bilateral relations and co-operation. They gave their directives to form a strategic consultation committee whose mission statement will be drafted by the ministries of foreign affairs," the statement said.

"The two sides also hailed the efforts of the economic committee and other joint panels and stressed their role in boosting co-operation in the political, economic, security, commercial and cultural fields.

They also welcomed the establishment of the Businessmen's Council, hoping that its activities will give impetus to the volume of investment, bilateral and multi-party commercial and economic exchange."

In particular, the statement commended the outcome of bilateral pacts concluded during the earlier visit to Tehran by Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmood al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers, and the visit of the Iranian First Vice-President, Dr Sayyed Mohammed Reza Aref, to Oman.

It stressed the need to implement these agreements with a view to achieving the aspirations of peoples of both countries.

In the statement, Sultan Qaboos expressed his appreciation of the economic and social achievements of Iran and the prosperity enjoyed by the Iranian people.

Sultan Qaboos valued President Khatami's visions for international peace and dialogue among civilisations. For his part, President Khatami voiced appreciation for Sultan Qaboos's views on developing bilateral relations and his perspectives on regional and international developments. He noted his emphasis on reinforcing efforts for achieving security and stability in the region.

The two leaders underlined the importance of the principle of consultation between leaders of the region.

On Iraq, both sides stressed the importance of safeguarding Iraq's territorial integrity and the need to give the UN a central role in this regard. They welcomed Security Council Resolution No 1546 which declares the end of occupation and handover of sovereignty to the interim Iraqi government. They also urged the holding of elections in Iraq in due course so that the Iraqi people could enjoy full sovereignty.

Turning to the Middle East conflict, the two sides expressed their strong condemnation of Israeli repression of the Palestinian people and called for intensified international efforts to put pressure on Israel to respect international charters which grant the Palestinian people national rights and guarantee their right to resist occupation and set up their independent state, with Jerusalem as its capital, as well as the right of return for the Palestinian refugees.

They also rejected the construction of settlements and the barrier on Palestinian territories. They welcomed the decision of the International Court of Justice on the barrier. "The two sides expressed their full support for Syria in claiming the return of the Golan Heights and the right of Lebanon to restore the rest of its territories in Shebaa as per Security Council resolutions," the statement added.

The two sides stressed the right of nations to develop their nuclear capacities for peaceful purposes in accordance with the non-proliferation treaty of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

They strongly condemned Israel"s refusal to submit its nuclear installations to inspection, noting that Israel"s stand contradicts all international accords.

Both Oman and Iran affirmed their strong rejection of all forms of terrorism, which they agreed, represents a plague requiring intensive international efforts to eliminate it.

They also rejected any attempts to stick the phenomenon to Islam or Muslims, noting that Islam prohibits the killing or torturing of people and that terrorism clashes with all principles of Islam and other celestial religions and sound human instincts.

They also stressed the importance of differentiating between terrorism and legitimate resistance.

President Khatami expressed his gratitude for the hospitality shown to him and his delegation by Sultan Qaboos and the Omani government and people.

He also invited Sultan Qaboos to visit Iran. Sultan Qaboos welcomed the invitation and the visit will be arranged through diplomatic channels.

Sultan Qaboos and Iranian President Dr Sayyed Mohammed Khatami had held a session of talks at Al Alam Palace.

Sultan Qaboos and President Khatami reviewed bilateral relations and means of enhancing co-operation between the Omani and Iranian friendly peoples. They also discussed issues of common concern in the regional and international arenas.

The talks were attended by Sayyid Badr bin Saud al Busaidy, Minister Responsible for Defence Affairs; Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdallah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs; Mohammed bin al Zubair bin Ali, Adviser to His Majesty the Sultan for Economic Planning Affairs; Maqbool bin Ali Sultan, Minister of Commerce and Industry; Ahmed bin Yusuf al Harthy, Head of the Arab Affairs Department; Mohammed bin Tahir Aideed, Head of the European Department; Talib bin Miran al Raisi, Head of Conferences and International Organisations Department; and Abdullah bin Salim al Shanfari, the Sultanate"s Ambassador to Iran.

On the Iranian side, the talks were attended by Foreign Minister Dr Kamal Kharazi; Minister of Defence and Support Admiral Ali Shamkhani; Minister of Industry and Minerals Ish'haq Jahanjiri; Khatami, the Head of the Office of the Republic President; the Iranian Ambassador to the Sultanate, Mohammed Jawad and senior Iranian officials.

Earlier, President Khatami arrived in the Sultanate of Oman on a two-day official visit to the Sultanate. Sultan Qaboos led the welcoming party for the president upon his arrival at the Royal Airport.

The Iranian president was given an official welcome. When the plane carrying the president came to a stop, the Head of the Royal Protocols and the Ambassador of Iran to the Sultanate boarded the plane to request the president to disembark. At the foot of the ramp, Sultan Qaboos shook hands with Dr Khatami welcoming him to the Sultanate. The guest then introduced to the Sultan the top officials of his delegation.

Then, Sultan Qaboos introduced officials of the welcoming party who were: Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmood al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers; Sayyid Shabib bin Taimour al Said, the Sultan's Adviser for Environmental Affairs; Sayyid Ali bin Hamoud al Busaidy, Minister of the Diwan of the Royal Court; Gen Ali bin Majid al Maamari, Minister of the Royal Office; Sayyid Badr bin Saud al Busaidy, Minister Responsible for Defence Affairs; Sayyid Saud bin Ibrahim al Busaidy, Interior Minister; and Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdallah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs.

Sultan Qaboos then escorted his guest to the Royal dais where he was given a guard of honour. The Royal Guard of Oman played the national anthem of Iran and the Royal Anthem of Oman while the Sultan of Oman's artillery fired a 21-gun salute welcoming the president. The commander of the Guard of Honour proceeded to the dais requesting the Sultan and the guest to inspect the guard of honour. The president, accompanied by Sultan Qaboos, inspected the first row of the column.

Then, the Head of the Royal Protocol introduced the members of the mission of honour which accompanies the president during his visit to the Sultanate.

The Head of the Royal Protocol also introduced other members of the welcoming party which included members of the Royal Family, the Presidents of the Majlis Addawla and Majlis Ash'shura, ministers, the Inspector-General of Police and Customs, the Head of the Internal Security Service, the Chief of Staff of the Sultan's Armed Forces (SAF) and the commanders of SAF wings. The Ambassador of Iran to the Sultanate introduced to the Iranian president members of the Iranian embassy.

After the welcoming ceremony, the Sultan escorted President Khatami to the protocols hall where coffee was served. Then, the motorcade carrying Sultan Qaboos and the president left for Al Bustan Palace Hotel where the guest and his accompanying delegation are staying during the visit.

President Khatami was accompanied by a high-ranking delegation which comprises Dr Kamal Kharazi, Foreign Minister; Admiral Ali Sham Khani, Defence and Support Minister; Ishaq Jahanjiri, Industry and Minerals Minister; Khatami, Head of the Office of the President of the Republic; Mohammed Jawad Asaiesh, Ambassador of Iran to the Sultanate, and a number of senior officials.

The mission of honour for President Khatami during his visit was headed by Maqbool bin Ali Sultan, Minister of Commerce and Industry. The visit of the president to the Sultanate comes within the context of continued and fruitful co-operation between the Sultanate and Iran, in the interest of the friendly Omani and Iranian peoples.

Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmood al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers, called on the visiting Iranian President, Dr Sayyed Mohammed Khatami, at the Al Bustan Palace Hotel.

Discussions focused on ways of boosting co-operation between the Sultanate and Iran. Both sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues of common concern. The meeting was attended by the official delegation accompanying the Iranian leader.

Iranian President Dr Sayyed Mohammed Khatami's visit to the Sultanate reinforces expanding bilateral relations and opens up new horizons for co-operation between the two countries, said Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdallah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs.

In a statement to ONA after official talks with Dr Khatami, Alawi added that consultations between Sultan Qaboos and the Iranian President covered a broad range of bilateral, regional and international issues, and laid the foundation for many initiatives that would serve "to transform developments presently perceived as negative into positive issues".

At the bilateral level, directives were issued to give impetus to the initiatives of the Oman-Iran Joint Committee, to energise the Political Action Group, and to form a strategic consultation panel.

On the nuclear issue, Alawi said he was given a detailed account of Iran"s nuclear programme and its objectives. Iran has shown willingness to co-operate with the international community on this issue, said Alawi, stressing Tehran was keen to find a peaceful resolution of the crisis.

The meeting was attended by Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al Busaidy, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed bin Yusuf al Harthy, Head of the Arab Affairs Department at the Ministry, Abdullah bin Salim al Shanfari, the Sultanate"s Ambassador to Iran, the delegation accompanying the President during his visit, and the Iranian Ambassador to the Sultanate.

Iranian President Dr Sayyed Mohammed Khatami met with His Eminence Shaikh Ahmed bin Hamad al Khalili, Grand Mufti of the Sultanate, at the Al Bustan Palace Hotel.

Later, in remarks to ONA, the Grand Mufti said the meeting reviewed the deep-rooted relations between the Sultanate and Iran.

Both sides stressed the need for Muslim nations to eschew divisions and to foster unity, harmony and constructive exchange within the Islamic world.

The meeting was attended by Abdullah bin Salim al Shanfari, the Sultanate"s Ambassador to Iran, and members of the delegation accompanying the President during his visit to Oman.

Oman and Iran are exploring ways to expand economic and commercial co-operation, Maqbool bin Ali Sultan, Minister of Commerce and Industry, said after meeting with Iranian President Dr Sayyed Mohammed Khatami at Al Bustan Palace Hotel.

Speaking to Oman News Agency, he said the meeting discussed ways of developing economic co-operation, expanding trade, and establishing joint venture petrochemical and gas-based industries utilising Iran"s abundant resources.

Talks also focused on strengthening commercial links between Musandam Governorate in the northern part of the Sultanate with Bandar Abbas on the Iranian side. Oman is constructing a major port at Khasab in the Musandam.

The role of the Joint Commission, as well as the private sectors of the two countries, in developing tourism was also reviewed.

Present at the meeting were Abdullah bin Salim al Shanfari, the Sultanate"s Ambassador to Iran, members of the official delegation accompanying the President, and the Iranian Ambassador to the Sultanate.

Oman and Iran signed an agreement on the avoidance of double taxation and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on tourism co-operation.

The pacts, inked on the sidelines of the Iranian President's current visit to the Sultanate, were initialled by Maqbool bin Ali Sultan, Minister of Commerce and Industry and Iranian Minister of Industry and Minerals Is'haq Jahanjiri.

The first agreement stipulates that taxes on capital profits and income shall be collected only in one country, said Maqbool, who explained that the pact will have a positive effect on mutual trade activities and investments.

By signing the agreement, the governments of the two countries have provided a comprehensive set of pacts serving the commercial and economic sectors. Earlier, agreements were signed to the encouragement and protection of mutual investments.

Maqbool said he hoped to see the private sector in both countries benefit from the legal setup, the guarantees and incentives aimed at pushing forward the bilateral economic co-operation march.

The agreement is expected to encourage the establishment of commercial centres on either side, he added. The trade balance is in favour of the Sultanate, said Maqbool, pointing out that Oman exports stand at RO 180 million to Iran and imports RO 17-18 million worth of goods.

The tourism MoU concluded between the Ministry of Tourism and the Iranian Establishment of Cultural Heritage and Tourism will serve as a major element in bringing the two countries closer, besides boosting economic development.

The MoU will help the Sultanate develop its tourism industry, said Jahanjiri. He pointed out that the trade agreement will help remove double taxation obstacles which is internationally known for hampering commercial activities.

Shaikh Abdullah bin Ali al Qatabi, President of the Majlis Ash"shura, conferred with Iranian President Dr Sayyed Mohammed Khatami at the Al Bustan Palace Hotel.

Al Qatabi told Oman News Agency that the meeting dealt with ways of fostering bilateral relations, which are characterised by warmth and mutual respect. The two sides also reviewed ties between the Shura councils of Oman and Iran.

Al Qatabi also briefed the visiting Iranian leader about the Shura experience in the Sultanate. Present at the meeting were Abdulqadir bin Salim al Dhahab, Secretary General of the Majlis Ash"shura, Abdullah bin Salim al Shanfari, the Sultanate"s Ambassador to Iran, and members of the delegation accompanying the Iranian President.

The Iranian President Dr Sayyed Mohammed Khatami visited the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in the Wilayat of Bausher.

He was accompanied by Maqbool bin Ali Sultan, Minister of Commerce and Industry, and head of the Iranian President"s Mission of Honour.

President Khatami toured various sections of the mosque and listened to a briefing about the phases of construction of the edifice, as well as the cultural and educational activities hosted by the mosque and its role in developing Islamic intellectual thought.

President Khatami expressed his admiration for the architectural design of the mosque, which combines the spirit of the Islamic civilisation with Oman"s traditional heritage.