Sudan says visit by Iranian President a landmark in relations

KHARTOUM, Sudan, October 4, 2004 (AP) — Iranian President Mohammad Khatami traveled to Sudan on a three-day state visit Monday, with Sudanese officials saying the trip marked a landmark in the relationship between the two countries Washington accuses of sponsoring terrorism.

President Omar el-Bashir and top government officials were on hand at Khartoum’s airport to receive Khatami and his foreign and agriculture ministers.

“We think this visit will bring a great leap in the relationship between the two countries,” Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail said.

Ismail said the leaders would discuss the troubles in Sudan ‘s western Darfur region – where Arab militias are blamed for killing at least 50,000 people and driving 1.4 million from their homes – as well as the violence in Iraq and the Palestinian territories.

In addition to talks with top officials, Khatami was scheduled to address the Sudanese parliament and deliver a lecture on dialogue between cultures. He also was to receive an honorary doctorate from a Sudanese Islamic university.