Swiss parliamentary delegation visits Iran

For the first time in decades, a parliamentary delegation from Switzerland is paying a visit to Iran for talks aimed at revitalising political, economic and cultural relations.

For the first time in decades, a parliamentary delegation from Switzerland is paying a visit to Iran for talks aimed at revitalising political, economic and cultural relations.

During their visit starting Wednesday, the six-member delegation — headed by the president of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Christine Beerli — will meet parliamentarians, government officials and representatives from various sectors of Iranian society.

The delegation will try to build on talks by a Swiss trade delegation, which visited Iran last year to assess investment possibilities. Cultural exchanges have also taken place in recent times, including Iranian films shown at the Locarno film festival and concerts by Swiss musicians in Iran.

“We come to talk and to listen and I hope that we can build relations that can be developed in the future,” said delegation member Rosmarie Simmen. She said she also hoped that an Iranian parliamentary delegation would visit Switzerland soon.

“Cultural issues are always a good issue to start with,” Simmen commented on the main thrust of the talks. “Economic issues should also play a prominent role and, of course, human rights.”

It will be the first visit by a Swiss parliamentary delegation since 1979, when the pro-United States shah of Iran was ousted in an Islamic revolution. The U.S. and Iran subsequently severed diplomatic relations and Switzerland has represented Washington’s interests in Tehran since then.

The Swiss visit comes against the background of continued tension between reformist President Mohammad Khatami and hardline clerics who wield significant power.

Khatami has been trying hard to end Iran’s international isolation and attract foreign investments. This was part of a drive since his election in May 1997 to moderate the image of the Islamic Republic of Iran and ease some of its hardline policies.

The continued influence of hardliners in Iran prompted renewed finger-pointing between Iran and the U.S. earlier this month.

U.S. Defence Secretary William Cohen praised Khatami’s reform efforts but said Tehran was still supporting terrorist activities, undermining the Middle East peace process and acquiring weapons of mass destruction.

Iran in turn rejected Washington’s own call for dialogue with Iran, saying that Washington’s “hostile measures against the Islamic Republic of Iran cannot be corrected…with words.”

From staff and wire reports.