Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni arrived Wednesday, August 8, afternoon in Tehran for a two-day official visit, and held talks with Iranian President Muhammad Khatami. The Ugandan leader, accompanied by Foreign Minister James Waphakabulo and several other government officials, was greeted by Iranian Trade Minister Hussain Shariatmadari.
Museveni was then officially welcomed by Khatami during a ceremony at the northern Tehran palace of Saad-Abad. Television quoted Museveni as saying Uganda wanted "to buy oil and oil products" from Iran and develop trade with Tehran. "We also want to restart the existing agreements between our two countries and encourage common investment", Museveni said.
He reminded his hosts that Iran had granted Uganda a $10-million- loan under former president Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani, and said he hoped the air link between Tehran and Kampala would soon be reopened. For his part, Khatami said Iran took its relations with Uganda very seriously, television said.
Museveni is also due to meet with Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi and Parliamentary Speaker Mahdi Karubi. Rafsanjani visited Kampala in September 1996 during an African tour, drawing harsh criticism from the United States while bolstering ties between Iran and Uganda.
Eight cooperation agreements were signed then, in the fields of trade and economy. Iran's first ambassador to Uganda was appointed in 1999. ― (AFP, Tehran)
© Agence France Presse 2001
© 2001 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
