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RAFSANJANI REPORTEDLY IN SECRET TALKS WITH U.S

"Al-Sharq al-Awsat" reported on 23 July that Iranian and U.S. officials met on the sidelines of a recent conference in London. Representing the Iranian side were Economic Affairs and Finance Minister Tahmasb Mazaheri, Islamic Revolution Guards Corps founder Javad Mansuri, and Petroleum Ministry adviser Hussein Kazempur-Ardabili (a former ambassador to Japan who was accused by Japanese police of illegal weapons exports; see "RFE/RL Iran Report," 27 March 2000).

These individuals were acting as envoys of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Expediency Council Chairman Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani, and President Hojatoleslam Mohammad Khatami only learned about the meeting a week later. The topics of discussion were Iranian nuclear activities, Iranian support for terrorist groups, Iranian activities in Iraq, and the Iranian human rights record, according to "Al-Sharq al-Awsat."

The Iranian envoys tried to convey the impression that only Hashemi-Rafsanjani can secure acceptance of Washington's demands, and this would be done in exchange for U.S. backing of Rafsanjani's bid for the 2005 presidential election. The U.S. side was unenthusiastic about the offer and about such secret dialogues. BS

source: RFE/RL NEWSLINE Vol. 7, No. 139, Part III, 24 July 2003