24 January p.m.

PROGRAMME FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL'S VISIT TO THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF • ': , 25 TO 27 JANUARY 2002 . ,".. :;;; Jdi FEB-4200? i!JJ! Friday 25 January 2002 ' i " j '"•";.':.,'•'•'•. 18:20 Arrival from Kabul by UN flight > • -- ; -' ^ (To be received by Dr. Mohammad-Javad Zarif, Deputy Foreign Minister, Legal and International Affairs; Francesco Bastagli, UN Resident Coordinator; Nanguyalai Tarzi, UNIC Director; Guillaume Blanc, UNSMA Head a.i.)

19:00 Transfer to Azadi Hotel, Parkway Ave., Evin Tel: 207 3021-9 - Fax: 207 3030

Saturday 26 January 2002

09:20 Depart from hotel

10:00 Meeting with H.E. Dr. Kamal Kharrazi, Foreign Minister Ministry of Foreign Affairs

11:15 Meeting with H.E. Mr. , President I.R. of Iran Presidential Palace

12:30 Joint press conference with Foreign Minister Kharrazi, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

13:30 Lunch/rest

16:00 Meeting with the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Parliament) H.E. Hojatoleslam val-Moslemeen Mahdi Karrubi, Parliament House

17:00 Meeting with the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyed , Office of the Supreme Leader, Pasteur Avenue

20:00 Depart from hotel

20:30 Official dinner hosted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs MFA Diplomatic Club, Darabad

Sunday 27 January 2002

08:30 Depart from hotel for the airport

09:30 Departure Meetings with senior officials (in chronological order)

Dr. Kama! KHARRAZI Minister of Foreign Affairs (1997-present)

Born: 1944

Education: BA, Literature, University of Tehran MA, Education, University of Tehran Ph.D. Education and Psychology of Management, University of Houston

Career highlights: Head, Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) 1980-1987 Chief of Mission, Permanent Mission to UN, New York 1989-1997 Professor, Tehran University (since 1983) Founding Member, the Islamic Research Institute (London) Member, American Association of University Professors New York Academy of Sciences (admitted 1994)

Languages: Farsi, English (Fluent) Hojatoleslam Valmoslemin Seyed Mohammad KHATAMI President of the Islamic Republic of Iran (1997-present)

Born: 1943

Education: Theology, Theological Seminary BA, Philosophy, Isfahan University MA, Education, University of Tehran

Career highlights: Head of Hamburg Islamic Centre, 1979 Member of Parliament, 1980 Editor-in-chief, Keyhan Publications, 1980 Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, 1982 & 1989 Chairman, War Propaganda Headquarters 1980-1989 Presidential Advisor (Rafsanjani Administration), 1992 Member, High Council for the Cultural Revolution (appointed 1996) President since 1997

Publications: Many books and articles including: Tradition, Modernism and Development (Article 1996) Fear of the Wave (Book) From the World of the City to the City of the World (Book) Faith and Thought Trapped by Despotism (Book)

Languages: Farsi, German, Arabic, English (moderate) Ayatollah Mehdi KARROUBI Speaker of Parliament (Majlis) (1999-present)

Born: 1937

Education: Theology, Qom Theological Seminary

Career highlights: Custodian, Hazrat Adbol Azim Seminary MP, (1st, 2nd & 3rd Parliaments, 1980-1992) Head, Martyrs Foundation, 1980 Supervisor, The Imam Relief Fund Head, Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization

Languages: Farsi, Arabic

Note: A Special Committee on Afghanistan was formed by Parliament late last year. It sent a message to the Secretary-General asking him to use his "full authority" to help the Afghan people. The Committee appealed for rapid withdrawal of foreign forces, assistance to achieve Afghanistan's own political independence and locating inside the country the decision-making centre for the future of Afghanistan. The Committee is chaired by Seyed Hadi Khamenei, brother of the Supreme Leader. He is a moderate reformer.

UNDP is cooperating with the Majlis (Parliament) Research Centre. This is an important project to build the capacity of parliamentarians in fulfilling their increasingly complex responsibilities. Current work focuses on national budget-making and reform in the legislative process. The Centre is headed by Mohamad Reza Khatami, brother of the President and leader of the largest political party in Parliament. Ayatollah Seyed AH KHAMENEI Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic (1989-present)

Born: 1939

Education: Theology, Qom and Theological Seminaries

Career highlights: Member of the Revolutionary Council Representative of the Council in The Army Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Leader of the Friday Congregational Prayers (Tehran) Member of the Parliament in 1980 President of the Islamic Republic (2 terms from 1981) Chairman of the Supreme Defense Council Chairman of the Supreme Cultural Revolution Council

Publications: Many books and translations including: Role of Moslems in the Independence of India (Book) General Pattern of Islamic Thought in the Quran (Book) On the Profundity of Namaz (Book) On Patience (Book) Understanding Islam Correctly (Book)

Languages: Farsi, Arabic, Turkish, English (moderate) Tehran, 24 January 2002

THE UNITED NATIONS IN IRAN AND THE AFGHANISTAN CRISIS

t here are about 2.3 million Afghans in Iran. (Government estimates are higher). Since many years UNHCR (2001 budget US$ 11 million) and WFP (2001 budget T!US$ 10 million) have been cooperating with Iran in addressing refugee needs. Smaller programmes are supported by UNFPA, UNICEF and other agencies.

Following September 11, the Country Team established an inter-agency working group to prepare a contingency plan for a major influx of refugees. Chaired by UNHCR, the group reports to meetings of agency representatives convened by the Resident Coordinator. Originally conceived for 400 000 new refugees, the contingency plan was subsequently scaled down against a projection of 80 000 arrivals. Ultimately, Iran's decision to close the border with Afghanistan and the swift toppling of the Taliban meant the influx did not materialise. In the meantime, for about two months Iran became an important base for supporting activities in Western Afghanistan. Thus, for instance, the Herat operation was run out of Mashad in Northeastern Iran. WFP provided logistics and food supplies from two sub-offices. During this period, Iranian authorities made an unprecedented effort to cooperate with the United Nations on visas, customs and transport.

The United Nations working group has now shifted its focus on repatriation. In the first two weeks of 2002, over 10 000 Afghans have returned spontaneously to their country. Iran is planning to launch an official repatriation programme at the beginning of April. UNHCR expects 400 000 refugees may return to Afghanistan by the end of the year. It is cooperating with the Ministry of Interior to open ten voluntary-repatriation centres and a new crossing point near Birjand in Khorassan province. It is essential, however, that repatriation be voluntary and gradual. For years refugee remittances from Iran have supported a sizeable share of the Afghan population. This lifeline should not be cut abruptly.

In the meantime, UNHCR and WFP work with the refugee community continues. Other agencies are involved. For instance, UNICEF has been requested by the Ministry of Education to provide additional literacy classes for some 500 000 Afghan refugees. Most of the focus is on eventual return. In early January, UNDP organized in Tehran a conference on "Afghanistan Reconstruction: the First Year - From Relief to Recovery" with the participation of some 70 Afghan professionals and entreprenuers drawn from Afghanistan and the Afghan communities in Iran, Pakistan and Tajikistan. The conclusions of the conference were an input to the needs assessment presented at Tokyo.

Yet, the situation remains uncertain on both the Afghan and Iraqi borders. UNHCR has pre-positioned supplies for a possible influx of 80 000 refugees.

From an Iranian perspective, the Country Team renders assistance in other ways. UNDP is discussing with the inter-agency working group a US$ 38 million package targeting Iranian communities in border provinces affected by refugees and other consequences of the Afghan crisis. The Programme was also requested by Iran to facilitate a three-way partnership for Afghanistan's reconstruction among Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. Iran is being helped in its endeavours to work with Afghanistan at the bilateral level. For example, FAO and UNDCP are evaluating with Iranian authorities crop substitution programmes to counter narcotics production in Afghanistan. UNESCO is in discussion with the Ministry of Post, Telegraph and Telephone to provide a long-distance education broadcast service for Afghanistan. MEETING PARTICIPANTS -as conveyed on 23 January 2002 -

10:00 Meeting with H. E. Dr. Kamal Kharrrazi, Foreign Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi Mr. Kieran Prendergast Ms. Elisabeth Lindenmayer Mr. Fred Eckhard Mr. Michael Moller Mr. Richard Amdur Mr. Francesco Bastagli Mr. Guillaume Blanc

11:15 Meeting with H.E. Mr. Mohammad Khatami, President I.R. of Iran, Presidential Palace

Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi Mr. Kieran Prendergast Ms. Elizabeth Lindenmayer Mr. Richard Amdur Mr. Francesco Bastagli

16:00 Meeting with H.E. Hojatoleslam val-Moslemeen Mehdi Karrubi, Parliament House

Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi Mr. Kieran Prendergast Ms. Elisabeth Lindenmayer Mr. Fred Eckhard Mr. Michael Moller Mr. Francesco Bastagli

17:00 Meeting with the Supreme! Leader, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, Office of the Supreme Leader, Pasteur Avenue

Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi Mr. Kieran Prendergast Mr. Michael Moller Mr. Francesco Bastagli Staff-in-confidence Tehran, 24 January 2002

AN IRANIAN PERSPECTIVE ON AFGHANISTAN

ran has paid a high cost for Afghanistan's instability. An estimated 2.3 million Afghan refugees tax its economy and create a security burden. I: Combating drug trafficking originating from Afghanistan has costed millions of dollars and hundreds of lives. Drug abuse is spreading among the young. Such facts are cited to explain Iran's interest in peace and stability in Afghanistan.

Besides being a neighbour, Iran is a power with regional ambitions and must position itself strategically. This proved problematic after established routines and alliances were upset following September 11. Further, in governmental and other influential circles there are important differences of views over Afghanistan. President Khatami and his allies support a cautious but positive analysis of recent developments. Indeed, early on such developments were seen by reformists as a window of opportunity in Iran-U.S. relations. On their part, hardliners are especially concerned that a long-term Western presence in Afghanistan could further isolate Iran. They also worry about the possible example of a neighbour ruled along nationalist-religious lines unburdened from strict Islamic tenets. Despite these different outlooks, under strong MFA leadership Iran has managed to have a significant and constructive input through the Geneva initiative and ultimately at Bonn.

Iran is now keen to play a role in the reconstruction of Afghanistan proportioned to its weight and expectations. It has pledged some US$ 560 million in cash and in kind over the next five years. While most of the cash would be in support of Iranian public/private companies, Iran has stated its willingness to commit an unspecified share of this money to the Trust Fund.

Iran has already taken important on-the-ground initiatives to address Afghanistan's needs. Work is underway to repair the Mashad-Herat road. Schools in southwest and western Afghanistan have reopened with books and equipment provided by Iran. Concern is being voiced that this assistance is accompanied by interference with the political process and the authority of the Interim Administration. Some consider that Iran is merely doing what Russia and Pakistan are doing: working with local warlords to ensure that their interests are not swept aside. Iran denies interfering and claims that such allegations come from Afghani circles linked to Pakistan's Intelligence Services. In this too, different views may be at play. Conservative military and intelligence circles may be more inclined than the political establishment to use a strong hand in protecting what they perceive to be the long-term strategic interests of Iran.

At the same time, Iran is keen to integrate its reconstruction efforts into a regional dimension. Following a meeting between Foreign Minister Kharrazi and President Musharraf in November 2001, UNDP was approached to facilitate a process involving Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan in a joint partnership for reconstruction. The initiative would be launched at a ministerial meeting to be held at the earliest in Tehran. Iran is also urging that the Economic Cooperation Organization, the only regional economic organization where Afghanistan is a member, should have a role in reconstruction. To pre-empt a sense of isolation and unilateralism, in the best interest of Afghanistan the United Nations and others should encourage Iran to pursue this multilateral and regional approach in its contribution to the reconstruction. HOTEL AND COMMUNICATION ARRANGEMENTS

Azadi (ex-Hyatt) Hotel Parkway, Evin Tel: 2073021-9(0098-21) Fax: 2073038 (0098-21)

Arrival: Upon arrival delegation members should go directly to the 24th floor where room keys will be handed to them. Breakfast: Breakfast for the delegation will be served at Polaris restaurant, 26th floor between 6:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Departure: No need to check out. Will leave for the airport at 8:30 a.m.

The Delegation Room no. Extension Mobile no.

1- The Secretary-General Presidential Suite 12002 2- Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi 24087 A 2508 3- Mr. Kieran Prendergast 24037 A 2503 4- Ms. Elisabeth 24097 A 2509 0911-233-8614 Lindenmayer 5- Mr. Michael Moller 24077 A 2507 0911-233-8615 6- Mr. Fred Eckhard 24047 A 2504 0911 -233-8616 7- Ms. Fatima Ziai 2405 2405 8- Mr. Richard Amdur 2402 2502 0911-233-8617 9- Mr. Americo Canepa 2403 2403 10-Ms. Anastasiya Delenda 2402/A 2502 11-Mr.EskinderDebebe 2406 2406 12-Mr. MoatazKhalil 2409 2409 0911-233-8618 13-Mr.AhmedFawzi 2501 2501 14-Mr. John Hart 2410 2410 15-Mr. Mark Hoffman 2510 2510 0911-233-8619

The UN provisional office at the hotel is in room 2404 (extension: 2404)

Support staff Ms. Haleh Aghaei (UNIC) Ms. Fariba Jahanbani (UNSMA) Ms. Flora Rezaei-Mood (IT Assistant) Ms. Farah Shirazizadeh (UNDP)

Internet, fax and photocopy facilities are available in this office.

Journalists Room no. Extension Mobile no.

Mr. David Grubin 2316 2316 0911-233-8612 Ms. Sarah Colt 2315 2315 Mr. Richard Fleming 2314 2314 Mr. Richard Roth 2301 2301 0911-233-8613 Ms. Elizabeth Neisloss 2302 2302 Mr. Simon Payne 2303 2303 Mr. William Shawcroff 2304 2304

Mobile numbers

Mr. Francesco M. Bastagli, UN Resident Coordinator 0911 -216-8056 Mr. Nanguyalai S. Tarzi, Director, UNIC 0911 -216-9948 Mr. Guillaume Blanc, Head, UNSMA 0911-248-7583 Ms. Farideh Anisi, UNDP Operations Officer 0913-207-9018 Dr. Dadmehr Ameli, UN Physician 0911 -209-7469 Mr. Gholam-Hussein Tashakori, UNDP, General Service 0911 -257-9237

Tehran, 25 January 2002