Iranian Foreign Policy in connection with Afghanistan   Extraordinary Meeting October 1996 SOAS - London University, Thornhaugh Street, London WC1   Speakers: Professor Abdolmajid Djavid - Head of Kabul University - England Ms Fatemeh Gilani - Speaker for the National Islamic Front of Afghanistan - England Ms Zargouneh Rassa - Radio & TV of Afghanistan - England Dr Ghassem Fazeli - Lecturer Kabul University - France Mr. Mohamad Aghel Birang-Koohdaani - Writer & Poet - England Dr Pirooz Mojtahedzadeh - Researcher, Geo-politics - England Mr. Davood Mir - Charge d'Affair Afghanistan Embassy, Paris - France Dr Ali Reza Nourizadeh - Journalist & Researcher - England Mr. Morteza Nozarian - Researcher on Afghani Issues - France                       Chair: Dr Hossein Ladjevardi, ACI   The sensitive nature and the heightening of recent tensions and problems in Afghanistan and the fact of Iran's shared border with her prompted us to organise this extraordinary meeting. We invited some of the most informed Afghani experts who represented different thinking. Also, Iranian experts were invited to offer their views on how the situation in Afghanistan could effect Iran. ACI issued a notice stressing three crucial points: 1. Since the independence and national unity and prosperity of Iran must be above any ideology, the government of Iran must resist official recognition of the Taliban. 2. By supporting and aiding the people of Afghanistan Iran should help establish an independent government in Afghanistan. 3. While maintaining friendly relations with our northern neighbours, Iran must work hard in establishing the logical route of oil pipelines through Iran. The three points were discussed and the latest news regarding the minute by minute developments in Afghanistan were reported at the meeting. Also, Ms Fatemeh Gilani, spokesperson for the National Islamic Front of Afghanistan, delivered a message from Zaher Shah and his views on the Taliban were read out. The meeting had international coverage. ACI will organise future meetings on this issue as the situation develops.     ACI  -London October 1996