Khatami's Visit to Afghanistan in Turkish Press
A Turkish daily in its Wednesday issue quoted the Iranian president as saying that the people of Islamic Republic of Iran have always been on the side of the Afghan brethren and supported their struggles for freedom.
President Khatami, the daily added, called on the Afghan nation to unite and said that the people of Afghanistan, inspired by the Islamic tenets, should smoke out elements who aim to create turmoil and chaos in the country.
**Cumhuriyet**, another Turkey's daily, also wrote that Khatami in a speech in Kabul lashed out at U.S. aggressive policy and stressed that this policy, in particular, following the September 11 event in U.S., has been strengthened.
According to **Cumhuriyet** newspaper, the Iranian President's speech landed Afghan's Karzai in a precarious situation because of Kabul's close relations with Washington and in response the Afghan president reiterated that Afghanistan has friendly ties with both Iran and U.S. **Cumhuriyet** noted that President Khatami pledged cooperation in the reconstruction drive of war-torn Afghanistan and the two presidents also held talks on joint campaign against drug trafficking, terrorism as well as cooperation with regard to international issues.
The daily quoted Aghan Karzai as saying that Iran has voiced its readiness in the formation of a national army and police in Afghanistan in an effort to restore stability.