Iranian President Mohammad Khatami Visits Sierra Leone
By Marian Samu

The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Seyed Mohammad Khatami, paid a one-day visit to Sierra Leone on Saturday, 15th January 2005.

Upon arrival at the Lungi International Airport President Khatami was welcomed by His Excellency the President, Alhaji Dr. Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, Ministers of Government, heads of diplomatic missions and international organisations, and top government officials. After inspecting a guard of honour mounted on his behalf, President Khatami was flown over to Freetown by helicopter where he and his delegation held bilateral discussions with President Kabbah and government ministers. He later gave a public address to the people of Sierra Leone at the Miatta Conference Centre at Brookfields, after leading the Zuhr (afternoon) prayers at State House earlier in the afternoon.

Speaking to the people of Sierra Leone, President Seyed Mohammad Khatami reiterated the sufferings of the African people during the colonial era. He said that no human being can think about Africa without recalling the agony of the African people especially during the colonial period and their liberation struggles to gain independence and emancipate themselves. To surmount this difficult past, President Khatami said, Africans should unite inorder to live and work together so as to regain their rightful position in the international community, adding that the real supporters of Human Rights are those who will return to help Africa.

President Khatami stated that Africa must be powerful as they have the best resources at their disposal. These only need to be exploited in the interest of the people. These same resources, he said, were exploited by the colonialists in order to plunder Africa to their own advantage. He made special reference to the young boys and girls whom, he said, have the ability, science and technology to positively utilise the resources of Africa. With all these materials, coupled with the moral, spiritual and human resources at its disposal, Africa should be able to regain its dignity and prestige in the international scene.

In this regard,President Khatami said that an understanding has been reached with President Kabbah to help the people of Sierra Leone positively exploit the rich resources of the country.

Speaking on the issue of religious tolerance, President Khatami noted that for centuries Christianity, Islam and other religions have co-existed peacefully in Sierra Leone. He advised that people should not allow their enemies to abuse this situation with a view to disrupting the diverse cultures and beliefs of people. He advised his brothers and sisters in Islam to be tolerant to adherents of other religions, adding that a real Muslim is one who is ready to live in peace with other people and religions. Muslims, he said, should strive hard to work together with other people and religions to make their countries powerful in science and technology. The Holy Prophet Muhammad, he said, always preached about peace during his missionary years.

The two Heads of State concluded the visit with the signing of a Joint Communiqué reflecting agreements reached during the bilateral meetings, while the the minister of health and sanitation, Mrs. Abator Thomas, and the President of the Red Crescent Society of Iran, Dr. Ahmad Ali Noorbala, signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the construction of a Teaching Hospital and a Diagnostic Centre next to the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences at Jui on the outskirts of Freetown. The MOU also included the establishment of a Medical Centre in Freetown to be manned by Iranian doctors and specialists, including the recruitment of Sierra Leoneans at the expense of the government of Iran. Another Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between the two governments for the setting up of a Joint Working Committee for the implementation of the projects envisaged in the communique and the fostering of closer bilateral relations between Iran and Sierra Leone.

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