The Hindu : Iranian special envoy meets PM

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Mar 22, 2003

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Iranian special envoy meets PM

By Our Diplomatic Correspondent

Ali Akbar Velayati, Special Envoy of the Iranian President, Mohammed Khatami, with the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, in New Delhi on Friday.

NEW DELHI MARCH 21. The Iranian President's special envoy, Ali Akbar Velayati, called on the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, and handed over a letter from his leader, Mohammed Khatami.

Mr. Velayati, who also met the External Affairs Minister, Yashwant Sinha, is said to have exchanged views on the "evolving situation'' in Iraq.

The special envoy, who was in Islamabad yesterday, had travelled to Indonesia as part of his apparent Iraq-related mission.

Asked about the Velayati visit, the Foreign Office spokesman said he was not aware whether issues other than Iraq came up for discussion.

Given India's close ties with the United States, New Delhi appeared to be "proper'' when it comes to dealings with Iran, especially since it is part of what the U.S. President, George W. Bush, calls the "axis of evil.''

In his Navroz message, the Iranian President was forthright in his condemnation of the U.S. invasion of Iraq: "(This) is a threat against humanity and global peace, since it is based on a horrible illusion of a superpower which (thinks) since it has force, it has the right to impose its demands at will....''

``Today, it is America which is alone; it is America whose actions lack legitimacy....'' Mr. Khatami said, adding that Iran had opposed the war from the outset. Iran would coordinate with other countries on developments taking place in Iraq.

In another development, the Foreign Office spokesman said the Acting Malaysian Prime Minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, was understood to have conveyed to the Indian High Commissioner in Malaysia, Veena Sikri, his apologies for the ill-treatment of Indian IT professionals.

Stating that Mr. Badawi's sentiments would have a positive effect on bilateral relations, the spokesman said the Malaysian leader had also stated that such incidents would not recur.

Separately, King Gyanendra of Nepal held talks with the political leadership on issues of bilateral concern.

The King, who will visit Chennai and Kancheepuram, also attended a banquet hosted by the President, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.

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