Letter, Yasuhiro Nakasone, Prime Minister of Japan, to Hojatoleslam Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of the Islamic Republic of Iran

OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER

TOKYO

Translation

August 2, 1985

Excellency,

I recall with great pleasure the frank and fruitful exchange of views I had with Your Excellency on a wide range of subjects when you visited Japan. I evaluate your visit to this country as extremely significant and epoch-making in promoting our bilateral relations. With that occasion as a starting pointing, I intend to endeavour for further development of our relations in various areas including economic and technical cooperation.

I am particularly gratified that we could have a profitable discussion with Your Excellency on that occasion on the international affairs of our common concern, such as the issue of peace in the Middle East, the Iran-Iraq conflict and international terrorism.

With regard to the Iran-Iraq conflict, I am obliged to Your Excellency for a detailed explanation, which gave me a deeper understanding of this issue. As you know, Japan has been exerting utmost efforts, desiring to contribute in some way to creating an environment conducive to a peaceful settlement, or the prevention of the escalation of the conflict. It wishes, therefore, that the countries concerned including Iran would explore the means which are more realistic.

I deem it useful that I had a frank conversation with Your Excellency on international terrorism; I believe that our two countries have the same position in common in that they both negate terrorism. Having learned that you had conferred with the Syrian President in an effort to solve the TWA incident, I convey to you my profound respect. In this connection, it is extremely deplorable that foreigners including seven American citizens are still held in captivity in Lebanon and I wish they would be released as soon as possible. If you think it possible to exert your country's influence in some form for their release, I wish you would try your best.

I consider it necessary that dialogue between our two countries should be further promoted. Now, the international situation is taking a significant turn, with the U.S.-Soviet summit meeting scheduled for this autumn. Japan, as the host country of the Tokyo Summit of next year is making preparations for the study of various international issues. Against this background, I intend to attend the General Assembly of the United Nations in October and exchange views with leaders of various countries on international affairs including the issue of peace in the Middle East. Therefore, I deem it a matter of extreme significance to have at this juncture an exchange of views with Your Excellency on the promotion of our bilateral relations and on international issues, such as the Iran-Iraq conflict and international terrorism.

From this. point of view, I take great pleasure in dispatching to Iran as my special envoy Ambassador Yoshihiro Nakayama, a trusted friend of mine well versed in the whole range of Middle East affairs. I am hoping wholeheartedly that Your Excellency will be kind enough to have an unreserved exchange of views on these matters with him. I have no doubt that such a dialogue between our two countries will add much strength to our mutual understanding. Accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration and my best wishes for Your Excellency's continued good health and the lasting prosperity of the people of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Yasuhiro Nakasone Prime Minister of Japan

His Excellency Hojatolesla Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of the Islamic Republic of Iran