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Annan Calls For International Efforts To Restart Mideast Talks
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| Annan meets Iranian president Khatami and discusses Mid East crisis |
TEHRAN, Jan 26 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan made an appeal while visiting Tehran on Saturday for "collective international action" to restart Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations, news agencies reported.
Annan arrived in Tehran Friday evening from Kabul for two days of meetings with Iranian leaders on the rebuilding of Afghanistan and Middle East issues.
The U.N. chief was welcomed at Mehrabad International Airport by Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal Affairs Javad Zarif, reported Iranian News Agency (IRNA).
Speaking briefly to reporters upon arrival, Annan pointed out Iran's important and constructive role in Afghanistan developments and said Iran has played an important role concerning Afghan refugees and the fight against drug trafficking, the agency said.
Annan also said Iran has a crucial role in the establishment of peace and stability in Afghanistan and all countries in the region should cooperate in this regard.
"Iran does not always speak with one voice - it has been putting out mixed signals on developments across its eastern border," reported BBC's online news service.
"Officially it supports the interim administration in Kabul - it has put its money where its mouth is, pledging aid and grants worth more than $500m over the next five years to back the reconstruction process in Afghanistan.
"But conservative leaders here have made no secret of their discomfort at American military penetration on Iran's back doorstep.
"They are also concerned that some kind of liberal secular Western-backed regime will be established as a permanent fixture in Kabul," BBC added.
The U.N. chief is scheduled to meet the country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and it is from him that he is likely to hear more about the Iranian reservations about what is going on in Afghanistan, said the BBC.
During his two-day stay in Tehran, Annan is scheduled to be received by President Mohammad Khatami. He will also meet Majlis Speaker Mehdi Karroubi and Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi, IRNA said.
Annan's presence in Tehran coincides with a visit by Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri, who is making his first visit. Both countries are concerned that once Afghanistan is stabilized they might find themselves the object of American attentions, the BBC added.
"The situation in Palestine is tragic. We are all the world leaders, we all are concerned. Collective international action to bring the parties to the table is needed," Annan said after a joint news conference with Kharazi, Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Asked about the accusations against the Bush administration that it is offering one-sided support for Israel in the conflict, Annan said: "I am not sure that the U.S. is supporting (that). I only know that they have asked Chairman (Palestinian President Yasser Arafat) to do more to fight terrorist attacks".
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