http://www.boston.com/dailynews/107/world/Iran_Saudi_Arabia_sign_landmar:.shtml

Iran, Saudi Arabia sign landmark security pact

By Associated Press, 4/17/2001 16:55

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) Iran and Saudi Arabia signed a landmark pact to combat terrorism and drug trafficking Tuesday, calling it a ''big step'' in improving regional security and relations between the two nations.

Iranian Interior Minister Abdolvahed Mousavi Lari and his Saudi counterpart, Prince Nayef, signed the agreement that includes cooperation on combating organized crime, terrorism, drug trafficking, illegal immigration and a joint surveillance of borders. It also calls for cooperation between two police forces.

''We have decided to take a big step toward security between our two countries. We consider Saudi Arabia's security as Iran's security and Iran's security as our security,'' Nayef told reporters after the signing ceremony.

Nayef, the first Saudi interior minister to visit Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution, said Riyadh hoped that similar security pacts will be signed between Iran and other countries in region.

Relations between non-Arab Iran and Saudi Arabia soured after the 1979 Islamic Revolution brought a radical clerical government to power. Ties began to improve after President Mohammad Khatami, a moderate, took office in Iran in August 1997. Khatami made a historic trip to Saudi Arabia in 1999.

-- Anonymous, April 18, 2001