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Kharrazi calls for open trial of Saddam

IRNA

Madrid, Dec 16, IRNA -- Visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal 
Kharrazi here Monday evening called for open trial of the former Iraqi
president, Saddam Hussein. 
Attending a joint press conference with his Spanish counterpart, 
Anna Palacio, he said Saddam should go on trial for committing 
crimes against the Iraqi, Iranian and Kuwaiti nations, particularly 
for making use of chemical weapons against innocent people. 
Underlining the need for transfer of power to the Iraqi people 
as soon as possible, Kharrazi said Iran is very much interested in 
taking part in the reconstruction process of the war-torn Iraq. 
Stressing on open and transparent trial of Saddam, Palacio said 
the world people must be informed of all issues to be discussed 
during the trial. 
Terming Tehran-Madrid relations as growing, she said exchange of 
visits between the two countries` officials in the past one year is 
an indication of the fact. 
Holding a meeting on Dialogue among Civilizations in Spain is 
a sign of close cooperation between the two sides, she added. 
A forum on Dialogue among Civilizations started in the Spanish 
city of Toledo Monday evening attended by university lecturers and 
thinkers of the two countries. 
The two countries` officials enjoy constructive talks on Iran-EU 
cooperation, international developments and issues related to nuclear 
energy, Palacio noted. 
The latest developments in the war-torn Iraq is another major 
issue being discussed by Tehran and Madrid, she said while underlining
the need for settlement of the Iraqi problems through negotiations 
with the Iraq`s neighboring countries particularly the Islamic 
Republic of Iran. 
Answering a question on Iran-Spain energy cooperation, the 
Iranian foreign minister said important negotiations are underway 
between the two countries` officials on participation of Spanish 
companies in the development of South Pars Oil Field in Iran and 
transfer of natural gas. 
Some dlrs 30 billion worth of foreign investments has been 
made on Iran`s energy sector during the past five years, he said 
welcoming the Spanish companies to join others in making investments 
in Iran`s different sectors. 
Kharrazi further voiced Iran`s readiness for investment of Spanish
companies in small and medium size industries in the country. 
Kharrazi arrived in Madrid on Monday at the invitation of 
Palacio. The two foreign ministers have plans to follow up agreements 
reached between the two countries during President Mohammad Khatami`s 
visit to Madrid last year. 
The Iranian foreign minister is also scheduled to meet Prime 
Minister Jose Maria Aznar and the heads of the Spanish Senate and 
Congress to discuss bilateral ties as well as regional and 
international issues. 
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End