Dr M, Iran's Khatami to discuss terrorism and Palestine
Terrorism and the Palestine issue will dominate talks between Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Iranian President Mohammad Khatami during his three-day official visit to Malaysia, Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said today.
Khatami is scheduled to arrive in the capital Kuala Lumpur late tomorrow accompanied by his wife and a 91-member delegation, comprising five ministers, five deputy ministers and senior government officials.
Officials said Malaysia and Iran who are members of the 57-member Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) enjoy cordial ties and Khatami's visit was expected to enhance relations.
During his visit from Monday to Wednesday, Khatami would hold talks with Mahathir and local business leaders, visit the world's tallest buildings, the Petronas Twins Towers and meet the local Iranian community.
Syed Hamid was quoted by Bernama news agency as saying that Mahathir was expected to raise the Palestine issue with Khatami.
Mahathir had rejected a US plan to kick out Yasser Arafat as the Palestinian chief, saying Palestinians should decide their own leader.
Mahathir said any change in the leadership must be decided by the Palestinian people.
Terrorism talks
Syed Hamid said there was a strong possibility terrorism would feature in the discussions between the two leaders.
"I'm sure they will discuss what Islamic countries should do, its impact on Islam and in the context of OIC," he said.
During the visit, Malaysia and Iran would sign five memorandums of understanding. It includes in the field of tourism, cooperation in information technology and the avoidance of double taxation.
Malaysia has repeatedly said that terrorism should not be associated with religion or with Islam. US President George W Bush earlier this year linked Iran, North Korea, and Iraq in an "axis of evil".
Tehran and Washington severed ties after the 1979 seizure of the US embassy in Iran.
Attempts at rapprochement have been dogged by fierce resentment in the Islamic republic over perceived US support for Israel. — AFP
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