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GV Delegates seated at table
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SCU Algerian Foreign Minister
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3.
CU Iran Foreign Minister
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SV Officials seated
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GV & SV Agreements being signed by Foreign Ministers (3 shots)
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6.
SV Officials look on
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SV Agreements exchanged and ministers shake hands and clap
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Initials CL/0302 CL/0312



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Iran and Iraq have signed a "reconciliation" treaty settling a number of long-standing disputes between the two countries.

The treaty was signed in Baghdad on 13 June by the Foreign Ministers of Iran (Abbas Ali Khalatbari), Iraq (Dr. Saadown Hummadi) and Algeria (Abdelaziz Bouteflika).

The signing came after three months of detailed negotiations by committees and a series of ministerial meetings in the wake of the Algiers oil summit in March. At Algiers the Algerians sponsored a meeting between the Shah and Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein. They decided to undertake a major initiative to try and settle the disputes which mainly centred around conflicting border claims.

The key was the issue of Iraq's dissident Kurds. Iran had supported the rebels and provided them sanctuary but withdrew from the stance in return for territorial concessions from Iraq.

SYNOPSIS: Algeria's Foreign Minister -- Abdelaziz Bouteflika -- also attended the signing.

Iranian Foreign Minister -- Abbas Ali Khalatbari. Iraq was represented by its Foreign Minister -- Doctor Saadoun Hummadi.

Algeria was made co-signatory to the treaty as the initiative towards settling the long-standing border dispute between the two Gulf states began at the Algiers oil summit in March. This was followed by three months of intense negotiations by committees and a series of ministerial summits. The final signing at the Al Salam Palace was little more than a formality but sill an historic occasion.

The key to the settlement had been the issue of Iraq's dissident ???. Iran had supported and sheltered the rebels but withdrew that support in return for territorial concessions from Iraq. Following the signing it was announced the Shah of Iraq will visit Baghdad soon.