SPAIN TO MEDIATE BETWEEN TEHRAN AND WASHINGTON
By Safa Haeri
MADRID 28 Oct. (IPS) As President Mohammad Khatami arrived here this afternoon with the hope that his visit would effectively promote the common interests of both countries, diplomatic sources said Madrid would try to bridge gaps between Iran and the United States.
Leading Spanish newspapers warmly welcomed Mr. Khatami’s visit, the first by an Iranian president since the victory of Islamic revolution in 1979, saying Spain attaches high importance to its relations with Iran.
Asked if the warm welcome accorded to Mr. Khatami would not jeopardise Aznar’s friendly relations with President George W. Bush, diplomatic sources here told Iran press Service that the standing of the Spanish Prime Minister could help a better understanding between Tehran and Washington.
The United States cut all ties with the Islamic Republic after Iranian revolutionary students stormed the American embassy in Tehran in November 1979, taking more than 50 American diplomats and staff as hostages for 444 days.
Speaking to reporters at Mehrabad International Airport of Tehran before taking the plane for Madrid, the embattled President said he would review with his Spanish hosts bilateral, regional and international issues and hoped that his trip, the first ever by an Iranian president to Spain since the Islamic revolution of 1979, would succeed in opening up "new areas of cooperation" between Tehran and Madrid.
During his three-day stay in Madrid, Hojjatoleslam Khatami would be received by King Juan Carlos and Queen Sophia for a private diner and meet on Wednesday with Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar.
"This visit would provide the Iranian President a singular opportunity to enhance his situation at home, help ending his country’s isolation on the international scene and also promote the dialogue among civilisations", wrote the influential "ABC", observing that Spain, like the rest of Europe, do not go along with the United States considering Iran as an evil State.
Among all European nations, Spain is probably the one that has a better understanding with Arabs in particular and Muslims in general, as Islam, Judaism and Christianity co existed in harmony together in the southern parts of the country for decades.
"El Pais", Spain’s leading newspaper also said the visit has its own importance for mutual Iran and Spain relations as well as with the European Union, the 15-members organisation that opposes Washington’s hard-line policies on Iran.
Contrary to the Americans, the EU do not regard Iran as an "evil State" and insist that maintaining a dialogue, even difficult, with Tehran is better than having no dialogue at all.
The press here observed that the EU, in order to help a peaceful solution to the Middle East crisis, has urged the Islamic Republic to separate itself from "violent" Arab and Palestinian organisations opposed to peace with the Jewish State and recognise at Israel and Palestine the same time.
"Aznar would also push his Iranian guest for improving human rights situation in Iran and call for the release of political prisoners, an end to both harassing reformist activist and the independent press", informed sources here told Iran Press Service.
Iraq s also another topic the two sides are to discuss in the light of the EU’s stand against American plans to attack the country, aimed at "removing dangers that Baghdad’s weapons of mass destruction posed for world security", according to the Americans.
Newspapers here also reflected the fragile situation of Mr. Khatami at home, where, they wrote, suppression of freedoms, segregation against women and minorities, stoning, closing independent newspapers, jailing journalists and intellectuals continue unabated.
Mr. Khatami is expected to attend a session of the Spanish Senate and deliver a speech at Complutense University of Madrid on Wednesday evening.
The two sides are also expected to sign four economic documents, including one on joint investment as well as cooperation in the fields of customs, environment and tourism and also follow up negotiations on the transfer of Iranian liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Europe.
Newspapers here said Spanish business community hopes that the visit of the Iranian President would open new vistas on bilateral trade and expansion of tourism sector.
In his visit, Mr. Khatami is accompanied by a sixty-members political and economic delegation, at their head the ministers for Foreign Affairs and Finance, Kamal Kharrazi and Tahmasb Mazaheri.
Speaking about the importance of his trip, President Khatami said Spain is one of Iran's most important economic and trade partners, and that during this visit the two countries will focus on ways of further expanding bilateral cooperation, particularly in the economic area, the official news agency IRNA reported.
On Tuesday, Mr. Khatami would inaugurate a forum of Iranian and Spanish business community.
On Madrid's stances on international issues, Khatami said Spain has always been moderate and logical in positions it has taken on international issues, particularly with regard to developments in Iran and the 1980-88 Iraqi-imposed war.
Spanish sources said they were working to prepare a visit for the Iranian president, who is a junior cleric, to the Al Hambra Palce, a landmark of Islamic civilisation on the land of Europe. ENDS KHATAMI MADRID VISIT 281002