KHATAMI PAYS TRIBUTE TO MEMORIAL OF IRAN S FIRST RULING EMPIRE IN TAJIKISTAN
IRNA web site, Tehran,
12 Sep 04
Dushanbe, 12 Sept: Iranian President Seyyed Mohammad Khatami here
on Sunday (12 September) paid tribute to a building in memory of the
first king of Iran, Isma’il Samani. The anid Empire established their
rule after ousting the Muslim Arabs who overran the country.
Khatami was accompanied during the official wreath-laying ceremony
by the Chairman of the National Assembly (Upper House) Mahmadsaid
Ubaydulloyev and several other high-ranking officials.
Presidents Khatami and Emomali Rahmonov are due to begin private
talks in a few hours.
Top Iranian and Tajik delegations will be joined by their respective
presidents in talks to be held after the end of the presidents’
private meeting.
It is expected that a number of new documents will be signed during
the talks of the Iranian and Tajik delegations detailing cooperation
in several fields.
The presidents of the two countries will also participate in a joint
press conference after the talks.
Khatami arrived in Tajikistan on Saturday on the last leg of a
three-nation regional tour of Armenia, Belarus and Tajikistan.
He is accompanied by the Iranian foreign minister, minister of commerce
and minister of energy.
Khatami was officially welcomed on his arrival at the Tajik
international airport by President Emomali Rahmonov.
He is scheduled to meet the head of the Tajik National Parliament,
prime minister, members of the Tajik intelligentsia and Iranians
residing in the country.
During his four-day visit, Khatami will inspect the Sangtudeh
hydro-electric power plant and the Anzub Tunnel.
Khatami will also deliver a speech at the 8th Summit of the Economic
Cooperation Organization (ECO) scheduled to open here on Tuesday.
At the meeting, Tajikistan will be appointed the next rotating
president of the organization. The current presidency of the
organization is held by Turkey.
The president’s week-long tour is taking place at the official
invitations of presidents Robert Kocharyan of Armenia, Alyksandr
Lukashenka of Belarus and Emomali Rahmonov of Tajikistan.