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Iran-Italy-Transportation
Iran, Italy to increase number of weekly flights
Rome, Sept 30, IRNA -- The Civil Aviation Organization of Iran and
its Italian side have reached agreement on increasing flights
between the two countries to thrice a week.
So far only one weekly flight was being operated by Iran Air to
Italy and by Alitalia to Iran with the two sides emphatically
calling for increase in the number of flights.
Fereydoun Rafiei-Nia, director general for legal and international
affairs of Iran Air and head of the Iranian delegation to the talks
told IRNA here that the agreement was signed between the two sides
Thursday night.
The flights will increase to twice a week in the first stage
in coming winter and after a few months another flight will be added
to it, bringing the number to three.
He said that another provision stipulated in the agreement is,
in addition to increasing the number of flights, to establish
passenger flights to different destinations in both countries. Prior
to the signing of the agreements flights were only operated between
Tehran and Rome.
According to the agreement the three weekly flights can be
solely passenger, cargo or a combination of both, Rafiei-Nia said,
adding that the new accord will prepare the ground for further
expansion of exports as well as tourism industry.
He said presently Iran Air operates seven weekly flights to
Germany, four to the Netherlands, four to Britain and two to
Austria.
Meanwhile, officials of the two countries in charge of road
transportation also reached agreement on increasing the annual
number of Iranian and Italian trucks transporting between the two
countries to 4,000 from the present 2,000.
At the end of the talks which were held in Rome Friday night,
Esmail Gholami, director general of the transit and border terminals
of the Roads and Transport Ministry told IRNA that the new agreement
will go into effect as of next year.
Underlining the importance of the agreement, Gholami said such a
great stride will result in further promotion of Iran's non-oil
exports to Italy, reduction of export tariffs and creation of job
opportunities.
He said he also discussed with Italian officials the possibility
of Italy joining the recent agreement on road transportation
reached between Iran, Russia and India, exchange of
transportation-related expertise between Iran and Italy and exchange
of visits between private sectors of the two countries.
NS/RR
End
thr 057
Iran-Indonesia-Agreement
Iran-Indonesia sign agreements on industrial and trade cooperation
Tehran, Oct. 1, IRNA -- Iran and Indonesia, at the completion of
their 5th joint economic and trade seminar signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) on trade, industrial investments,
telecommunications and services here sunday.
The Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Post, Telegraph
and Telephone (PTT) said the two sides agreed to balance bilateral
trade, boost non-oil exports and increase their private sector
activities in their mutual trade.
Tehran and Jakarta also agreed to collaborate in the areas of
joint investments, agriculture, technical and industrial ventures and
purchase of Iranian crude by Indonesia.
Other areas of agreements included banking cooperation, easing
regulations for issuance of visas, tourism, transportation and
aeronautics.
Acting Minister of PTT Nassrollah Jahangard expressed hope that
once those agreements are implemented they would pave the way for
further mutual involvement of the private sectors of the two
countries.
Indonesia's Minister of Trade and Industry Lahut Pandjaitan
appreciated Iran's bid to cooperate with Indonesia, adding, ''signing
agreements would not only lead to strengthening of bilateral ties, but
as the result of these accords relations will becoming more
solid in the near future.'' He said given the indonesian president's
stress on cooperation with Asian countries, Indonesia is pursuing
expansion of bilateral and regional ties.
NB/HR
END
thr 018
Press-Headlines ... 2 - Tehran
Aftab-E Yazd:
-Head of Tehran Justice Department: We are not permitted by law
to reveal verdict in "video cassette" case
-World of Islam reacts to massacre of Palestinians
-Khatami in Cuba
-Safavi (Commander of Islamic Revolution's Guards Corps): I
will file complaints against those groups trying to weaken IRGC
-Viewpoints of supporters, opponents of auto imports
Javan:
-Iran, Cuba exchange views on countries trying to impose global
hegemony
-Habibi: U.S. economic sanctions will not have any impact on the
system's principles
-Anti-Zionist operations spread to other occupied lands
-Sydney Olympic Games to wind up today
-Jahangard (proposed PTT minister) on Tuesday to receive vote of
confidence
Iran Daily:
-President: Sound international relations imperative
-Habibi delivers Tehran Trade Fair's inaugural speech
-Muslim tourism ministers arriving
-Zanganeh says Caracas summit a triumph for OPEC
Jomhuri Eslami:
-Reports on Khatami, Castro talks
-Habibi: Iran's trade partners should stick to ethical values
and sound trading principles
-Letter of understanding on bilateral cooperation signed between
Iranian, Kuwaiti officials during Lari's visit to Kuwait
-Head of Hamas political bureau arrives
Abrar-e Eqtesadi:
-Iran world topnotcher in issuing readily changeable rules and
regulations to govern foreign trade
-German economics minister, heading a high-ranking delegation, to
arrive today
-Seventh seminar on housing development to open in Tehran on
Monday
Iran News:
-Economic sanctions on Iran has hurt the U.S., Habibi
-Iran condemns violent attack on Al-Aqsa mosque
-Palestinian death toll rises as clashes rage on
-Zanganeh foresees strong OPEC with Caracas declaration
-Iran urges Kuwait to help combat drugs
FS/LS/YS
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Minister-Mohajerani-Resignation
Sources confirm Mohajerani's resignation
Tehran, Oct 2, IRNA -- Iranian Minister of Culture and Islamic
Guidanc Ataollah Mohajerani has resigned and President Mohammad
Khatami has agreed to his resignation, the Persian dailies reported
Monday quoting an MP.
The daily `Entekhab' said that the minister, who is
close to the president, further said that his decision would be
announced after the first meeting of tourism ministers of the
Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) which is to be held on
Tuesday and Wednesday this week in the central city of Isfahan.
Mohajerani will be presiding over the meeting.
A member of the Majlis Cultural Commission said that all
activities of the culture ministry had been hampered.
`Entekhab' noted that Mohajerani had declined to respond to
reporters on the issue and had postponed meeting them on the
subject of his resignation for two weeks.
The Persian daily further said that Mohajerani was being
groomed for the position of vice-president for cultural affairs.
AK/LS/YS
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thr 042
Press-Headlines ... 2 - Tehran
Entekhab:
-Dialogue between two (Iranian and Cuban) revolutions
-Khatami: Iran is based on two pillars of independence, freedom
-Castro: Cubans have managed to continue struggle against
imperialism through deepening patriotism, vying for independence
-Arab League to hold special meeting on continued massacre of
Palestinians
-Mohajerani (Culture and Islamic Guidance Minister) to leave
office after Islamic tourism ministers meeting (being held in
Isfahan from October 3 to 4)
-Appointment of first female managing director at Iran's Customs
Administration
Iran Daily:
-Slaughter continues in Palestine
-Khatami receives Jose Marti medal of Cuba
-Bombing lessons
-Dabir (Iranian wrestler) shines on final day (of 2000 Sydney
Olympic Games)
-Arafat calls for UN protection
Javan:
-President Khatami to Cuban leader, nation: Struggle for freedom
will not succeed without establishing justice
-Palestinian uprising leaves 722 martyrs, wounded
-Karroubi: Aggression, tyranny and usurpation lie in nature of
Zionists
-Injection of excess oil revenue in market has become politicized
Kayhan International:
-Hamas leader calls for intifada to free al-Qods
-Zionists kill more Palestinians; death toll reaches 34
-Over Zionist brutality, Karroubi deplores international
community's indifference
-Habibi (first vice-president) confers with Romanian minister
-IPIS (Institute for Political and International Studies),
Interior Ministry to hold seminar on NGOs
AR/AH/RR
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thr 094
Tourism-Isfahan
Tajik, Indonesian tourism ministers arrive in Isfahan
Isfahan, Sept 30, IRNA -- Two delegations from Tajikistan and
Indonesia headed by the countries' tourism ministers arrived in
Isfahan Saturday to take part in the first meeting of the tourism
ministers of the member states of the Organization of Islamic
Conference (OIC).
Elaborating on the gathering, the protocols department of the
Isfahan Province Governorate General announced that the confab would
be held on October 3-4 in Abbasi Hotel.
The delegations were welcomed by the Isfahan provincial
authorities at the airport.
Delegations from Syria, Jordan, Senegal, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and
Bangladesh had already arrived in Isfahan to attend the meeting.
All the 56 OIC member states are reportedly invited to take part
in the gathering. An expert session is scheduled to be convened one
day before the main meeting.
HB/HM
END
thr 043
Press-Headlines 3 - Tehran
Afarinesh:
-Castro's government decorates Iranian President with
highest Cuban award
-Majlis speaker cries out against latest crimes committed by
Zionists
-Foreigners see Iran as a favorable country for investment
-Dabir's Olympic gold comes as a flower in a desert
Hamshahri:
-Supreme Leader of Revolution in meeting with Hamas leaders:
Palestinian uprising part of a generation-old movement and can never
be stopped
-11 more Palestinians are martyred on the fourth day of clashes
-Russia accepts victory scored by Milosevic's rival in Yugoslav
presidential elections, Milosevic loses his last supporter
-Islamic countries to open a tourism exhibition in Isfahan on
Tuesday
-Third report on recent events in Khorramabad published
-Official tells Tehran City Council: Failure to exert control
over boundaries of city will cause social problems
Hayat-e Now:
-Mehdi Karroubi (Majlis speaker): I am the flag carrier of
reforms
-Farmers did not sell rice to government this year, too
-MPs react to reading of Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi's letter in
Majlis
Qods:
-Supreme Leader of Revolution, in meeting with several leaders of
Hamas movement: Bullets will not stop great movement of Palestinians
Aftab-e Yazd:
-Majlis speaker: "Letter of Mr. Makarem was a reminder for
Majlis, Guardian Council to decide" (on bills)
-First clash between Israeli regime, Palestinian Authority
-Following arrival of German economic minister, Iran-Germany
Joint Economic Commission convenes work
-Ayatollah Gharavi Aliyari: Sending single girl students
abroad is not prohibited by religion
-Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi: Passing such bills (authorizing
single girl students to travel abroad) will distance Majlis from
religious community
-Iran, Egypt to launch trade, economic joint ventures
-Albright to visit North Korea
-An interview with a member of central council of Office to
Consolidate Unity (OCU)
-Haddad Adel: Certain people deliberately commit acts so as to
be arrested and imprisoned
Iran:
-Leader of Revolution: Threats, bullets will not put an end to
Palestinian uprising
-House prices, rents up by 20 percent
-Khatami, in meeting with Castro: We want to solve our current
problems through religion
-MPs sympathize with injured palestinians injured and
bereaved family members of victims of Zionists crimes
-Mohajerani to submit to an interview in two weeks time
-Islamic Jihad of Palestine: We will avenge the blood of
our martyrs
-Supreme Leader's representative in universities: We have
not given a penny to aid the OCU (Office to Consolidate Unity)
-British firms in search for gold and copper in Iran
Resalat:
-Ayatollah Makarem writes to Majlis speaker
-Karroubi: I agree with Ayatollah's (Makarem) views with regard
to sending unmarried girl students abroad to study
-Hojjatoleslam Mohsen Qomi (Leader's representative in
universities): Universities should be regarded by all as national and
extra-factional entities
Kar-o Kargar:
-Member of Majlis' Plan and Budget Commission: Period of economic
recession has come to an end
-Egyptian trade minister: Iran is a powerful trading country
-House-building slows down during first quarter of this year
-Excess oil revenue to be spent in boosting investment, production
AR/LS/RR
End
thr 068
Environment-Ebtekar
Ebtekar calls for limiting exploitation of forests
Gonbad Kavoos, Golestan Prov., Sept 30, IRNA -- Head of the Department
of the Environment (DoE) Masoumeh Ebtekar said here Saturday that
forests should be exploited under special conditions and rate of their
exploitation should be checked.
Ebtekar said that once destroyed, the forests cannot be renewed.
She called for expansion of projects for the protection of forests.
The rate of forests' exploitation, she went on, has decreased by
one third in the northern province of Golestan and this pattern should
be observed in other northern provinces as well.
Ebtekar said tourism is the best form of making use of forests.
BG/AH
End
thr 069
International Trade Fair-Habibi
Habibi: Economic sanctions on Iran has hurt the U.S.
Tehran, Sept 30, IRNA -- First Vice-President Hassan Habibi said here
on Saturday the U.S. sanctions on Iran may have caused losses to Iran,
but it has never forced Iran to compromise on its principles.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony of 26th Tehran International
Trade Fair (TITF), which was attended by domestic and foreign
industrialists and businessmen, Habibi said it has been proved that
the sanctions caused irreparable losses on the party imposing
sanctions and has introduced the imposing party as extortionist.
Habibi explained the outlines of Iranian economic development plan
and said Iran adjusts its relations with foreign countries with the
agenda of developing healthy economic and trade relations.
Iranian trade partners are expected to honor the ethical
principles and honesty in carrying out their obligations, he said.
The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to prepare the grounds for
attracting foreign investment, especially by the Iranians living
abroad, Habibi said.
He said the foreign investors should take into account that Iran
is located at the heart of a large and extensive market.
Habibi said the oil prices have improved but Iran's long-term
economic plan has targeted to provide the current spendings free from
the oil revenues and spend the oil revenues on sustainable development
in the field of social, cultural, economic and political development.
The first vice-president called for boosting non-oil exports and
cancellation of non-tariff obstacles in the way of exports and said
every sector has considerable capacity for exports which has not been
utilized yet.
On the facilities for boosting exports, he said the government has
liberalized exports of all goods and services except for genetic
reserves and items relating to the country's cultural heritage as
well as the goods on which the government pays subsidy. The exporters
are free to sell foreign currencies earned from exports in the free
market, he said.
He said the exporters are being provided with facilities for
marketing and the revenues coming from exports are duty free.
Habibi said that for the time being the level of diplomatic
relations with foreign countries depends on the oil exports, but,
gradually this would shift in harmony with the extent of non-oil
exports.
He said Iranian tourism industry, techno-engineering services and
medical service engineering are potential sectors for exports.
He hoped that competition in the field of science and technology
would replace the political, diplomatic or military conflicts.
Habibi visited various sections of the domestic and foreign
pavilions in the International Trade Fair.
SS/AH
End
thr 023
Press-Headlines
Tuesday morning's newspaper headlines
Tehran, Oct 3, IRNA -- The following headlines appeared in morning
dailies on Tuesday:
Aftab-e Yazd:
-Leader calls on Friday prayer leaders to refrain from dealing
with factional issues
-Head of investigative panel on fake "video cassette case":
Majlis is still waiting for the response of the judge (trying the
case)
-26th Tehran International Trade Fair highly successful in
concluding economic deals
-Only seven percent of tourism market belongs to Islamic states
-Speaker: Tranquility will be materialized only if people's
clamor for facilities is met
Entekhab:
-Iran issues call for solidarity of world of Islam against
Israel
-Seven Majlis deputies air views on pros and cons of a vote of
confidence for proposed minister of PTT
-Third development plan an obstacle in way of privatization:
managing director of National Petrochemical Industries Company
Hayat-e Now:
-Leader receives a number of Friday Prayer leaders of the
country
-Fate of Al-Aqsa Mosque to be determined in streets of holy Qods
Kar-O Kargar:
-Leader: Jihad is against continuance of Zionist regime
-Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) calls on UN to
exert efforts to stop Zionist attacks
-Daftar-e Tahkim-e Vahdat (Office to Foster Unity) announces
readiness to help Palestinians
-Iran-Germany trade exchanges to exceed dlrs one billion this
year
Kayhan International:
-Zionist atrocities persist in Palestine
-Leader says: No room for western freedom in Islam
-Khatami felicitates German president, chancellor
-South Korean deputy FM arrives
-London seeks improved ties with Tehran
-Hamas calls for Arafat to resign
FS/LS/YS
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Malawi-Mozambique-Rail link
Rail link to boost economies of Malawi, Mozambique
Cape Town, Oct 2, IRNA -- Malawi and Mozambique reopened a railway
that reconnects landlocked Malawi to an Indian Ocean port with a short
and cheap route that civil war once made impassable.
Presidents Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique and Bakili Muluzi of
Malawi signed an agreement launching the Nacala Development Corridor,
as they have dubbed the road and railway linking Malawi to
Mozambique's northern port of Nacala.
Malawi and Mozambique expect investments in the Nacala corridor
to reach nearly dlrs 1 billion. Apart from rebuilding the road and
railway, the two nations also plan to promote the development of a
wide range of businesses along the route, including mining,
agriculture and tourism.
Mozambique's 16-year civil war brought traffic along the 800km
route to a near halt. Before the war, about one-third of Malawi's
trade travelled along the route.
Since 1984, movement along the corridor had slowed to a trickle
and forced Malawi to use South African ports for 80 percent of its
traffic. Traffic is already up with 76,000 tons shipped on the
route between January and June this year.
In addition, travel time is now down from seven hours to four.
CT/LS/YS
End
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Iran-Tourism-Conference
Cooperation, key to success of Muslim world in tourism
Isfahan, Oct 2, IRNA -- Head of Iran Travel and Tourism Organization
(ITTO) Mohammad Moezeddin here Monday called on experts in the Muslim
world to take measures to present Islamic tourism criteria to the
world that are inspired by Islamic rules.
Moezeddin was addressing a one-day session of senior experts from
Muslim countries prior to the First Conference of Islamic Tourism
Ministers due to open in this ancient central city Tuesday.
The session, attended by senior experts from 38 member countries
of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) aims at preparing
the agenda for the ministerial conference.
He said statistics show that Muslim countries hold a share of
seven percent in the large world tourism market while these
countries are the cradles of great civilizations.
Moezeddin pointed to facilitation of transportation among Muslim
countries and attraction of investment of Islamic states for the
development of tourism market as being among proposals of the expert
meeting to the ministerial conference.
He said ITTO believes that cooperation among Muslim countries is
the only prerequisite for gaining success in tourism industry,
adding that common culture is the strongest medium for the
development of tourism market.
Underlining the global concern over cultural and religious
threats, the Iranian official said tourism industry can serve as a
proper mechanism for solving cultural problems, especially those in
connection with the leisure time and employment of the youth as well
as economic problems.
NS/RR
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Khatami-Tourism-Meeting
Khatami urges Muslims to pay attention to tourism industry
Isfahan, Oct 3, IRNA -- President Mohammad Khatami, in a message to
the meeting of the tourism ministers of the Organization of the
Islamic Conference (OIC) Tuesday called on the Islamic countries to
pay due attention to the tourism industry.
The first-ever meeting of the tourism ministers of the member
states of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) was
inaugurated in this central provincial capital city Tuesday, President
Khatami underlined the need for prosperity of tourism industry in the
world of Islam in order to revive the Islamic culture and
civilization.
Due to the natural sights and holy shrines as well as historical
and ancient monuments in Muslim states, these countries are regarded
as the most attractive tourist sites in the entire world, the
President noted.
Not only the Dialog Among Civilizations and Cultures but also the
economic issues are today based on planning and policies in the area
of tourism, he added.
Turning to the issue of immigration, President Khatami said that
Islam has paid much attention to immigration.
He expressed the hope that the OIC tourism meeting would be
successful in providing the Islamic states with appropriate guidelines
through which they would be able to promote their tourism industry.
The Iranian President further stressed that the Islamic Republic
of Iran, as one of the first members of the World of Islam, is ready
to make use of its potentials to help promote the industry in Muslim
countries.
Ministers and top officials from some 38 Muslim nations are
attending the two-day international conference aimed at promoting
tourism in the Islamic world.
FS/AH
End
::irna 03/10/2000 15:44
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thr 097
Tourism-Iran-S. Arabia
Iran, S. Arabia to fully exploit potential for tourism expansion
Isfahan, Oct 3, IRNA -- The Culture and Islamic Guidance Minister
Ata'ollah Mohajerani here on Tuesday stressed the need for Iran and
Saudi Arabia to fully exploit their potential to expand their tourism
industry.
Mohajerani told Secretary General of Saudi Arabia's Tourism High
Council Prince Sultan Ibn Sultan Ibn Abd Al-Aziz on the sidelines of
Muslim Tourism Ministers' conference that Iran and Saudi Arabia have a
highly important role in expansion of tourism in the world of Islam.
Al Aziz too called for plans to expand tourism industry in Iran
and Saudi Arabia.
In another development, Sudanese First Deputy Minister of Tourism
Sar Khatam Mohammad Afdhal in a meeting with Mohajerani called on
Iran to transfer its expertise in the field of tourism expansion to
his country.
Mohajerani said that Iran is for expansion of cooperation with
Sudan in the field of tourism.
He said that Muslim states should encourage their nationals to
visit Muslim countries.
BG/AH
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thr 095
Iran-Egypt-Tourism
Iran and Egypt call for expanding cooperation on tourism
Isfahan, Oct 3, IRNA -- Iran's Minister of Culture and Islamic
Guidance Ataollah Mohajerani and Egyptian deputy minister for tourism
Adel Abdolaziz here on Tuesday called for more cooperation between the
two countries on tourism.
In the meeting between the two officials which took place on the
sidelines of the first conference of Islamic countries ministers of
tourism in Isfahan, Mohajerani described Egypt as a country with an
historical background and an ancient civilization which has been
successful in developing its tourism industry.
Mohajerani said Islamic countries should use Egypt's experiences
in the tourism industry.
He pointed to ancient civilization, history and culture of the two
countries and said the bilateral cooperation on tourism between Iran
and Egypt is important for development of tourism in the Muslim world.
Mohajerani said tourism for pilgrimage purposes is an important
ground for cooperation between Tehran and Cairo and expressed hope
that effective steps will be taken in this regard.
Abdolaziz thanked Iran for holding the first conference of Islamic
countries ministers of tourism and said the conference can be very
helpful in developing the industry in the Muslim world.
He said, "In a world which is witnessing economic groupings, it
is apt that Islamic countries strengthen their their cooperation in
various sectors."
Abdolaziz stressed that Egypt is ready to put all its experiences
on tourism at the disposal of Islamic countries.
He said tourism industry is the main source of revenue for Egypt
and about five million tourists visit the country annually. Egypt's
annual revenue on tourism is about dlrs 4.3 billion. The Egyptian
official said the industry has created about 2.5 million jobs in his
country.
Iran and Egypt, he went on, have many common points in history,
civilization and culture and it is appropriate for Tehran and Cairo
to open a new chapter on tourism in their relations.
JB/AH
End
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Isfahan-Conference-Tourism
Participating envoys happy with Iran's tourism conference
Isfahan, Isfahan Prov., Oct 4, IRNA -- Envoys of most of the Muslim
states attending the first-ever international conference on tourism
which opened in this central city Tuesday have expressed pleasure
with the conference, deputy culture and Islamic guidance minister for
tourism Mohammad Moezzedin said on Tuesday.
Moezzedin said that some ministers attending the two-day event
presented the capacities, needs and plans to promote tourism in
their respective countries. He said that Tajikistan had proposed
creation of a committee for developing tourism.
Representatives of other states including Syria, Egypt,
Mozambique, Lebanon, Pakistan, Jordan and Turkmenistan expressed their
pleasure with the conference and called for promotion of mutual
tourism industry.
Iranian Culture and Islamic Guidance Minister Ataollah Mohajerani
opened the two-day conference Tuesday with a call on Muslim states to
promote tourism among themselves by easing visa procedures and
relaxing laws.
"More Muslim tourists visit non-Muslim countries than Muslim
states, which means," he said, "every year huge amounts of money
are taken out of those Muslim countries: Money that can be used to
help build infrastructural facilities in those countries." "Tourism
worldwide, generated dlrs 457 billion in 1999, the share in it of
Islamic countries having been a meager seven percent," he said.
Representatives of 38 member states of the Organization of the
Islamic Conference (OIC) are attending the conference.
Iran has eased visa requirements to promote tourism. In the first
six months of this year (March 20-August 20), some 700,000 tourists
visited the country, that is a 40 percent increase over last year.
AK/HR
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thr 036
Isfahan-Tourism-Conference
Tourism conference opens in central Isfahan
Isfahan, Oct 3, IRNA -- Ministers and top officials from some 38
Muslim countries on Tuesday opened here the first-ever
international conference aimed at promoting tourism in the Islamic
world.
Iran is hosting the two-day gathering at Abbasi Hotel in this
historical city.
Verses from the Holy Quran were recited and Iran's national anthem
was played to open the event.
On Monday, addressing a one-day session of senior experts from
Muslim countries prior to the conference, Mohammad Moezzaddin, Iran's
deputy culture minister for tourism, said: "Why should we look at
tourism from the Western point of view?"
Underlining the global concern over cultural and religious
threats, the Iranian official said the country's tourism industry can
serve as an appropriate venue for resolving cultural problems,
particularly those having to do with the employment of the youth and
making appropriate use of their leisure time.
Moezzeddin acknowledged that there is also a need to counter
"negative" ideas about the Islamic world in order to attract more
non-Muslim tourists, especially to countries whose hotels and
other tourist facilities fall short of international standards.
He said talks are underway with the Islamic Development Bank in
Saudi Arabia to attract the needed capital to make tourism more viable
in countries such as Iran, where tourists forego many luxuries but
still choose to come for a look at one of the world's oldest
civilizations.
AK/LS/YS
End
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thr 092
Iran-Tourism-Confab
Ten tourism ministers from Islamic states attended Isfahan confab
Isfahan, Oct 3, IRNA -- Ten tourism ministers from Islamic states
attended the first conference of tourism ministers of the Organization
of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in Isfahan on Tuesday.
The ministers are from Mozambique, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria,
Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Bangladesh, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia and the
Islamic Republic of Iran.
Delegates from Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Tunisia,
Sierra Leone, Senegal, Sudan, Turkey, Yemen, Azerbaijian, Bahrain,
Brunei, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Gambia, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakstan,
Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Kyrgyzstan have sent high ranking delegations
at the conference.
Some 56 OIC member states have been invited to the conference.
The conference began on Tuesday in Isfahan.
MM/AH
End
::irna 03/10/2000 19:11
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thr 047
Tourism-Ministry-Mohajerani
Tourism Organization to be turned to a ministry, Mohajerani
Isfahan, Oct 3, IRNA -- Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance
Ataollah Mohajerani here on Tuesday announced that a proposal on
transforming the Tourism Organization into a ministry has been
submitted to the Supreme Administrative Council.
Addressing reporters on the sidelines of the first session of the
meeting of tourism ministers of Islamic countries, he expressed the
hope that the proposal will be approved by the end of the current
Iranian year, March 20, 2001.
The member states of the Organization of the Islamic Conference
(OIC) have been enthusiastic about the meeting, he said adding that
the major Islamic countries which attract tourists such as Egypt,
Saudi Arabia and Syria have very much welcomed the meeting.
Referring to the country's tourism infrastructural services as
weak, the minister called for further promotion of the tourism
industry in the Islamic Republic.
Mohajerani also stressed on the importance of cultural and social
security in attracting tourists.
FS/AH
End
::irna 03/10/2000 15:50
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thr 022
Press-Headlines ... 2 - Tehran
Entekhab:
-New political groupings (factions) emerging in Majlis
-Tehranis to stage anti-Zionist rally on Thursday
-Country has 4,000 war-disabled women
-President addresses nationwide gathering of Friday prayer
leaders
-OIC tourism ministers gather in Isfahan
-Winning entries in 8th Sacred Defense Film Festival announced
Iran News:
-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei to visit the holy
city of Qom today
-Islam a religion of wisdom and based on the realities of life,
Khatami
-Tourism conference opens in Isfahan
-Khatami urges Muslims to pay attention to tourism industry
-Iran ready to initiate Muslim world tourism organization
-Tourism organization (ITTO) to become ministry, Mohajerani
-Jahangard fails to get Majlis vote of confidence
-President welcomes any decision by Majlis
Abrar:
-Why did Khatami's candidate fail to win the vote of confidence?
-Vice-President of Majlis Cultural Commission tells Abrar:
Resignation of Mohajerani is certain
-Head of Judiciary: Islam authorizes the imprisonment of people
only on three or four grounds
-Arafat will not meet Barak
-U.S. attempts to rein in Intifadha (Palestinian uprising)
Kayhan International:
-Spirit of jihad alive among Palestinians, recent events in
Palestine a message to world - Rafsanjani (head of Expediency
Council)
-Muslim world urged to develop tourism industry
-Islam a religion of wisdom, logic - president
-Jahangard fails to get Majlis' vote of confidence
-Leader to visit holy city of Qom
AR/LS/YS
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::irna 04/10/2000 13:14 Back
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Tourism-Iran-Turkmenistan
Mohajerani stresses exchange of visits among Muslims
Isfahan, Oct 4, IRNA -- Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance
Ataollah Mohajerani here on Tuesday evening called for facilitating
exchange visits among Muslim nations.
Mohajerani made the remark at a meeting with the head of
Turkmenistan's tourism and sports committee, Akmorad Bayjayev,
currently here to attend the ever-first Conference of Tourism
Ministers of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).
"Tourism plays a key role in familiarizing nations with each
other's culture and civilization," he said, stressing that the
conference would serve as an effective step towards attracting the
attention of tourism officials of Islamic states to the need
to expand communication among Muslims throughout the globe.
"Muslim states should not allow the western mass media to spread
their culture and civilization, he said, calling for more contacts
between Islamic nations.
Both Iran and Turkmenistan enjoy a rich historical and cultural
background, Mohajerani stressed, adding that there are great
potentials in both states for an expansion of ties.
Appreciating Iran's initiative at holding a pioneering meeting of
OIC tourism ministers, Bayjayev said that the meeting will play a
key role in the promotion of tourism activities among Islamic
states.
Voicing his country's interest in boosting tourist cooperation
with neighboring states, he expressed the hope that Tehran-Ashkhabad
ties will further expand in this field.
FS/LS/YS
End
::irna 04/10/2000 13:52 Back
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Switzerland-cannabis
Swiss cabinet comes out in favour of legalising cannabis use
Vienna, United Nations, Oct. 3, IRNA -- The Swiss cabinet has decided
to ask parliamentarians to make the use and preparation of cannabis a
non-criminal offence, Swiss Radio reported Tuesday.
The interior minister, Ruth Dreifuss, said on Monday she was
recommending that parliament change the federal narcotics law to end
prosecution of cannabis users. But she said the use of other narcotics
would remain illegal.
A detailed proposal could go before parliament by June 2001,
Dreifuss said. However, even if the law is approved, it could still be
subject to a nationwide referendum, Swiss Radio said.
The right-wing People's Party, which has opposed all attempts to
soften the country's drug legislation, reacted angrily to the move.
"The cabinet must have been smoking cannabis itself to have made
such a crazy decision," said spokeswoman Irene Schellenberg.
Dreifuss said the proposed change in the law would be accompanied
by a strengthening of measures aimed at the prevention of drug misuse
and the protection of young people. "Cannabis, like wine or tobacco,
is not a harmless substance," the minister said.
In January, a study by the Federal Commission for Youth Issues
argued that the current law penalises primarily young people, and
those who consume - rather than deal in - narcotics.
The government plans to set up a working group to look at issues
linked to the decision on cannabis, including the legal consumption
age, how to protect youngsters and how to prevent "drug tourism" in
Switzerland.
Swiss voters in 1998 rejected a proposal to legalise all drug
consumption. However, the country has one of the most liberal
approaches in Europe toward treating heroin addicts.
Free drugs and needles are provided to addicts who do not respond
to other forms of treatment designed to wean them of their deadly
habit. A "four pillar" approach to drugs targets prevention, therapy,
damage limitation and the arrest of users and people involved in the
drugs trade.
ND/MHJ/JH
End
::irna 03/10/2000 16:19
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Press-Mohajerani-resignation
Cooperation with press, prime duty of President's Office: daily
Tehran, Oct 3, IRNA -- `Tehran Times' in its editorial on Tuesday
wrote that since the resignation of the Minister of Culture and
Islamic Guidance Ataollah Mohajerani, has now been confirmed, all
journalists and readers expect that the President's office give a
convincing reply for its unjustified previous denial of the issue.
The English-language daily was reacting strongly to the attitude
of the President's office in holding back such authentic information
and also criticized the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) for
carrying the denial, which was first published by this daily, without
the slightest hesitation.
"The baseless denial by the President's office, which is headed by
a leading reformist, greatly disappointed our reporters," hit out the
paper.
This is while, the journalists had really tried hard to dig out
the story in order to provide the public with first hand information,"
stressed the article in its opinion column.
To make the issue more clear, the daily noted that the Persian
language newspaper, Khorasan quoted MP Ahmad Borghani as having said
that "Mohajerani has submitted his resignation to the president."
On the other hand, Tehran Times appreciated the stand taken by
the Persian newspaper `Iran' for confirming the earlier report carried
by this daily and quoted Iran as having said, "Mohajerani's
resignation will be announced following a conference on tourism in
Isfahan which is being attended by Mohajerani."
Likewise, other papers too referred to some details of the
previous report of Tehran Times, including the fact that President
Khatami may propose either `deputy Cullture Minister Ahmad
Masjed-Jamei or the former premier's wife and Chancellor of Al-Zahra
University, Ms. Zahra Rahnavard, for the portfolio', it noted.
After all is said and done on the issue, the daily stressed in
conclusion that the President's Office should therefore bear in mind
that it is its prime duty to cooperate with journalists, so as to
promote a rapid information transmission in society.
FH/AH
End
::irna 03/10/2000 19:53
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Iran-Tourism-Conference
Cooperation, key to success of Muslim world in tourism
Isfahan, Oct 2, IRNA -- Head of Iran Travel and Tourism Organization
(ITTO) Mohammad Moezeddin here Monday called on experts in the Muslim
world to take measures to present Islamic tourism criteria to the
world that are inspired by Islamic rules.
Moezeddin was addressing a one-day session of senior experts from
Muslim countries prior to the First Conference of Islamic Tourism
Ministers due to open in this ancient central city Tuesday.
The session, attended by senior experts from 38 member countries
of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) aims at preparing
the agenda for the ministerial conference.
He said statistics show that Muslim countries hold a share of
seven percent in the large world tourism market while these
countries are the cradles of great civilizations.
Moezeddin pointed to facilitation of transportation among Muslim
countries and attraction of investment of Islamic states for the
development of tourism market as being among proposals of the expert
meeting to the ministerial conference.
He said ITTO believes that cooperation among Muslim countries is
the only prerequisite for gaining success in tourism industry,
adding that common culture is the strongest medium for the
development of tourism market.
Underlining the global concern over cultural and religious
threats, the Iranian official said tourism industry can serve as a
proper mechanism for solving cultural problems, especially those in
connection with the leisure time and employment of the youth as well
as economic problems.
NS/RR
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::irna 02/10/2000 14:53
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Press-Headlines
Wednesday morning's newspaper headlines
Tehran, Oct 4, IRNA -- The following headlines appeared in Tehran's
newspapers this morning:
Aftab-e Yazd:
-Khatami, in parliament to introduce his candidate for the post
of PTT minister: I will respect any decision taken by Majlis
(parliament)
-Karroubi (Majlis speaker): Majlis likes Khatami and supports
freedom
-Late last night the president and Majlis speaker are said
to have held a telephone conversation
-Spanish prime minister to visit Iran
-Special Court for the Clergy (SCC) to begin trial of
Hojjatoleslam Eshkevari (one of the participants in the Berlin
Conference) soon
-Baqi, Shamsolvaezin (imprisoned journalists) write to Majlis,
Judiciary
Iran Daily:
-World shocked at Zionist carnage
-OIC (Organization of the Islamic Conference) tourism conference
opens
-Khatami underscores promotion of Islamic tourism
-Mohajerani (Culture and Islamic Guidance minister): ITTO
(Iran Travel and Tourism Organization) to become a ministry
-Pour-Nejati (MP): Majlis in full harmony with government
-Power plant accords to be signed with German firms soon
-Urgent call for Arab summit
Abrar-e Eqtesadi:
-Khamoushi (head of Iran's Chamber of Commerce) in meeting
with head of Iran-Germany Chamber of Commerce: Tax obstacles in
way of foreign investment in Iran have been removed
-Participation bonds amounting to rls 600 billion to be offered
in selective branches of banks for 10 days
-German chancellor to visit Iran before next Iranian presidential
elections
-Iran invited to build steel mills near remote mines in Senegal
-Japanese market eager to have access to Iranian traditional
products
-Tehran to host 1st International Exhibition on Precious
Stones, Jewels and Watches in the month of Azar (November
21-December 20)
Tehran Times:
-Time for IIPF (Islamic Iran Participation Front) to grasp
people's message
-Jahangard (designated Posts, Telegraphs and Telephones -PTT-
Minister) fails to win Majlis' vote of confidence
-Massacre of Palestinians continues in occupied lands as Zionist
regime breaches its commitment
-Jordan University to honor dead child with trust fund, prize,
garden
-Security Council's emergency session fails as U.S. refuses to
collaborate
-Iranian figures, organizations condemn Israeli attacks
-A girl in Turkey, a boy in occupied lands: victims of being
Muslim
-Serial murder case hearing delayed
AR/LS/YS
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::irna 04/10/2000 13:05
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Iran-Saudi-Tourism
Saudi official: Iran the best venue for Islamic tourism confab
Isfahan, Oct 3, IRNA -- Secretary-General of the Saudi Supreme Council
of Tourism Prince Sultan Ibn Salman Ibn Abd Al-Aziz As-Sa'ud speaking
on the sidelines of the first conference of tourism ministers of the
Organization of the Islamic Countries (OIC) said on Tuesday that there
is no country better than Iran to hold such an event.
As his country's representative to the conference, the Saudi
prince pointed to the rich culture, historical and Islamic records of
the Islamic Republic of Iran as evidence of his claim.
Turning to the effects of religious limits exercised by the
Islamic states on tourism, he said all countries have their own
distinct restrictions which are rooted in their cultures.
He said that Saudi Arabia has formed a special committee
comprising of ten ministers to study the problems and expansion of
tourism industry.
Apart from its economic gains, tourism industry attaches
significance to the exchange of knowledge about cultural heritage of
countries, he said.
He called the conference an initiative to activate tourism
industry in Islamic countries.
MM/AH
End
::irna 03/10/2000 17:05
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