The Iranian year 1377 is coming to an end with numerous events taking place in foreign relations and domestic scene. The following are the important events that occurred in the Iranian year 1377 (March 21, 1997-March 20, 1998): March 27 Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance says in Paris that the U.S. must stop its negative measures against Iran, especially the sanctions and should not ignore the government and nation of Iran. He also criticized the launching of Radio Azad (free radio) and U.S. support for the terrorist Mujahideen Khalq Organization. He, however, termed Bill Clinton's message on the occasion of Norouz (new year) as a positive move.

March 27 Japanese foreign minister expresses willingness to boost ties with Tehran and describes coming to office of President Mohammad Khatami as the most important reason behind the decision. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Mahmoud Mohammadi once again terms as unacceptable and without legal basis the statements of the judge of the local court of Berlin in connection with the Mykonos affair. March 27 Iran's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Hadi Nejad Hosseinian says it is high time the Lockerbie dispute be settled fairly.

Expressing sympathy with the relatives of the victims of the incident who were present at the UN Security Council session, he says the case should be settled in coordination with international laws and to the interest of justice while preserving the sovereignty of Libya. March 27 In its editorial, the Financial Times recommends U.S. allies to continue their pressure on Washington to lift sanctions against Iran, Libya and Cuba. March 27 Moamar Qaddafi tells the Iranian ambassador that his country will give priority to Islamic Republic in all fields of cooperation.

March 27 Foreign Minister Kharrazi announces after inspecting the installations at Qeshm free trade zone that the Foreign Ministry is ready to cooperate for further development of the zone. March 28 Foreign Minister Kharrazi at the Damascus Airport on his way to Syria and Lebanon describes strengthening of friendly relations with Islamic and Arab states of the region as an strategic priority in Iran's foreign policy.

March 28 In his speech at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Islamic Guidance Minister Mohajerani describes dialogue as the only way to settle disputes. During the speech, he is attacked by a number of members of the terrorist Mujahideen Khalq Organization. March 28 French Foreign Ministry expresses regret over the attack of a number of MKO members on Mohajerani at the UNESCO center in Paris but says UNESCO is responsible for investigating into the case.

March 28 In a meeting with Foreign Minister Kharrazi, head of the Political Bureau of Lebanese Hezbollah, Hajj Hussein Khalil, discusses latest developments in Lebanon. March 29 Foreign ministers of Iran and Syria, Kamal Kharrazi and Farouq al-Shara discuss key developments in the region. Developments in the Middle East, Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq, specially in north of the country are among topics of Kharrazi's talks with Shara. March 29 Iran's Ambassador to Riyadh Mohammad Reza Nouri Shahroudi stress that the Saudi Defense Minister Prince Amir Sultan bin Abdulaziz supports expansion of ties with Iran. March 29 Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi explores avenues on Tehran-Damascus cooperation in a meeting with Syrian First Vice President Abdulhalim Khaddam. March 29 Iran's Ambassador to Pakistan Mohammad Mehdi Akhondzadeh says in a meeting with representatives of the UN and the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) that Iran supports any peace plan in Afghanistan which helps stop hostilities in the country.

March 30 Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi winds up his visit to Syria and is seen off by his Syrian counterpart. During his meeting with Kharrazi, the Syrian president says that Beirut, Damascus and Tehran are united against Zionist aggressions. April 1 Foreign Ministry spokesman welcomes an EU decision to strengthen political contacts with Tehran and says that such a decision is an indication of its better understanding of realities in Iran. April 1 Foreign Ministry spokesman condemns distortion by the British state radio (BBC) of remarks made by Iranian Foreign Minister Kharrazi on unconditional withdraw of Zionist troops from Southern Lebanon. April 1 Terrorist MKO members attack Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ataollah Mohajerani while addressing a UNESCO conference in Stockholm, Sweden. April 2 Iran and Iraq decide to exchange 380 Iranian and 5,592 Iraqi POWs as of April 2. April 2 Swedish Ambassador to Tehran is summoned to Foreign Ministry following MKO attack on Mohajerani at UNESCO conference.

April 2 Egyptian foreign minister voices Cairo's interests to promote ties with Tehran. April 3 Iran's special envoy on Afghan affairs announces Tehran's support for UN efforts to settle the Afghan crisis. April 4 Leader of Islamic Revolution sends a message to Hajj pilgrims. In his message, the Leader outlines Iran's detente policy and stresses that as long as Washington continues its policies, the Iranian nation will considers it as its enemy.

April 5 President Khatami in a meeting with Turkish new ambassador to Tehran, calls for further expansion of Tehran-Ankara relations. April 6 Italian Parliament speaker tells Majlis Speaker Ali Akbar Nateq Nouri that Iran is enjoying a special position among regional Islamic countries. He also voices Rome's interests to expand ties with Tehran. April 7 President Khatami praises Rome's fair stance on bilateral relations as well as international developments.

April 8 A leading Russian daily writes that Moscow is determined to continue its nuclear cooperation with Tehran. April 9 Foreign Ministry spokesman refers to Iran as a country supporting human rights and bound to international rules and regulations. April 9 Iran's Embassy in Ankara denies Iran's link with any Turkish opposition group. April 10 Interior minister winds up visit to Saudi Arabia. He expresses satisfaction over Tehran-Riyadh expanding relations.

April 11 Head of Italian Center for Strategic Studies says that the Islamic Republic of Iran has the potential to play a key role in establishment of regional peace and stability as well as in establishment of close cooperation among regional states. April 12 President Khatami expresses satisfaction over UN-OIC cooperation on Afghanistan. April 12 The then UN Special Envoy on Afghanistan Alaeddin Boroujerdi underline the need for establishment of a broad-based government with participation of all Afghan factions.

April 15 Japanese state foreign secretary stresses that the Iranian president has taken long steps towards strengthening of civil society. April 15 Former British foreign secretary calls for exercising positive policies towards Iran. He stresses that the sanctions policy against the Islamic Republic has not been successful. April 18 Iran's representative to The Hague says that 3,918 cases of legal disputes between Iran and the U.S. have so far been resolved.

April 20 Leader of Revolution stresses that Iran's enmity with the U.S. and the Zionists is based on logical Islamic principles. The Israeli regime is a calamity for the entire world, he says.