PESHAWAR: The Iranian Foreign Minister, Dr. Abbas Ali Khalatbary, has said in Kabul that his country will continue its efforts to remove tension between Pakistan and Afghanistan and bring them closer to each other, Radio Kabul reported this evening [Aug 29]. Dr. Khalatbary, who is currently on a visit to Afghanistan, referred to Pakistan-Afghan relations at a banquet ... while replying to Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr. Waheed Abdullah’s mention of the situation in the region.

According to Radio Kabul, Dr. Khalatbary expressed the hope that the issue between Pakistan and Afghanistan will be settled in accordance with the United Nations principles. The Iranian Foreign Minister said that Iran had brotherly relations both with Pakistan and Afghanistan, and as such would like to see the peoples of the two countries live in an atmosphere of peace and brotherhood.

[Meanwhile, as reported by news agencies from Washington,] President Ford in his first televised Press conference … said that he favours “going ahead” with the expansion of the U.S. naval base on the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia. Anticipating criticism … Mr Ford said: “I do not view this as any challenge to the Soviet Union.”

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2024