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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: geode00 who wrote (167315)	7/26/2005 4:42:08 PM
From: Sun Tzu	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

Karzai says Iran is a friend of Afghanistan KABUL (IRNA) -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai said here on Monday Iran is a friend of Afghanistan and has rendered laudable assistance to the country. In a meeting with Iran’s visiting Deputy Foreign Minister for Asia and Pacific Affairs Mohsen Aminzadeh, he thanked Tehran for its efforts to help reconstruct Afghanistan. Karzai further expressed hope that Tehran’s assistance will continue in the future. Aminzadeh said that Iran's policy is to assist in establishing stability and security in Afghanistan. He also referred to the constructive steps taken by Iran in the Afghanistan reconstruction, "especially in the western provinces." "I hope that the upcoming parliamentary elections will complete the Afghan political development process." Aminzadeh expressed concern over the growing insecurity and the activities of government opponents in Afghanistan and stressed the necessity to effectively resolve the problem. He also called for tackling the drug menace by the Afghan government and the international community. Aminzadeh said that the two nations should forge closer economic and trade relations. The Afghan Interior Minister, Ali Ahmad Jalali last week lauded Iran's assistance to Afghanistan with its anti-drug campaign. Speaking in an international ceremony on the anti-drug campaign where some 62 tons of all types of narcotic drugs were burnt, he said that Iran, by setting up border checkpoints, has taken a significant stride in the anti-drug campaign. Despite very comprehensive anti-drug fights in the country, Afghanistan is now in the early stages of such a fight, he said. The campaign is a very time consuming procedure, he pointed out. He further warned against those who are active in the production and cultivation of narcotics in the country and said no one is safe from punishment. Tehran, Kabul discuss bilateral ties Iran and Afghanistan on Monday discussed bilateral relations and various issues of mutual concern. In a meeting with Afghan National Security Advisor Zalmay Rasul, Aminzadeh said the Afghan government should give priority to reconstruction operations. He expressed hope that the Afghan government would solve the existing problems and hold parliamentary elections successfully with the help of the Afghan people. Rasul, for his part, said the Afghan government is seriously determined to fight against insecurity which has been intensified on the threshold of the parliamentary elections. Iran to continue constructive policies toward Afghanistan In a separate meeting with Afghan Second Vice President Mohammad Karim Khalili, Aminzadeh added that given the shared cultural, religious and historical commonalities, Iran wants to see a developed, safe and secure Afghanistan. He also referred to the menace of poppy cultivation and drugs smuggling from Afghanistan as one of Iran's concerns. "I hope that the situation in the country will not warrant foreign military forces and Afghanistan will only depend on its domestic security and popular forces" he added. The Afghan vice president also lauded Iran’s constructive policies in Afghanistan. He further expressed hope that in the wake of Iran's recent presidential elections, Tehran will continue to render assistance to the development of Afghanistan and its construction trend.