CARDINAL SODANO RECEIVES IRAN'S FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER

VATICAN CITY, JAN 8, 1997 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls today made the following statement:

"Yesterday afternoon, January 7, Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano received in audience Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Akbar Velayati of the Islamic Republic of Iran. During the meeting they reviewed the situation of relations between the Holy See and Iran and, in particular, the theme of religious liberty of the various religious communities present in Iran. There was also an exchange of opinions on peace problems in the Middle East."
OP/AUDIENCE/SODANO:IRAN:VELAYATI VIS 970108 (100)