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Iran's N-programme peaceful, indigenous - Dr Aref

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, March 5, IRNA - The visiting Iranian First Vice President 
Dr Mohammad Reza Aref said Thursday that Iran was pursuing peaceful 
nuclear programme and its atomic technology was indigenous. 
"Nuclear arms have no place in Tehran`s defence doctrine, and we 
deem it our right to acquire the nuclear technology for the civilian 
purposes," he told reporters in a joint press conference here with 
Pakistani Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali. 
They announced that Pakistan and Iran have agreed to upgrade their
relations in political and economic spheres on a sustainable and 
enduring basis. 
The Iranian first vice president expressed the confidence that the
agreement signed Thursday will pave way for deeper cooperation between
the two countries. 
He said both sides are also cooperating in the reconstruction of 
Afghanistan and are considering extending their cooperation with 
Afghanistan and Turkey involved. 
Jamali said during the course of official talks, they discussed 
ways and means to augment multifaceted relations which encompass all 
human endeavours. 
"These relate to establishment of Joint Investment Company, 
customs cooperation, avoidance of double taxation, preferential trade,
cooperation between export promotion organizations, cultural, 
scientific and technical exchanges, Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline, 
transit trade, maritime cooperation, telecommunications, visa 
procedures and improvement of traffic by rail and road between 
Pakistan and Iran." 
He said finance ministers of the two countries will be meeting in 
three months to take stock of implementation of these decisions. 
The premier said Iran is providing electricity for some areas of 
Baluchistan province of Pakistan on lower rates and he has asked Iran 
to supply more power. 
Jamali said Pakistan and Iran have traditional cordial relations, 
and both the countries share perceptions on major global and regional 
issues. 
"We closely work on multilateral forum on issues of mutual 
interest." 
The Pakistani prime minister said he briefed the Iranian first 
vice president on Pakistan`s efforts for resumption of dialogue with 
India and endeavours for resolution of Kashmir dispute by peaceful 
means in the background of recently concluded SAARC Summit. 
"Iran`s support to Pakistan on the Kashmir dispute is source of 
strength not only for the government and people of Pakistan but also 
for the Kashmiri people." 
He pointed out that President Khatami was very kind and he always 
emphasized the need for dialogue between Pakistan and India. 
"We have also identical views on situation in Afghanistan, fluid 
situation in Iraq and establishment of Palestine state." 
The Iranian official when asked about Tehran`s stand on 
developments in Iraq stated: From the onset, we opposed a military 
invasion of Iraq and as time attested, despite of the on-going 
occupation, disorder is prevailing in the country. 
He reiterated that Iran supports UN-sponsored elections within the
shortest possible time "so that people of Iraq can determine their 
fate". 
TSH/211 
End