ARRIVAL OF PRESIDENT ARIF AND HIS WIFE; PRESIDENT GREETED BY SHAH OF IRAN; MILITARY BAND; GIRLS WITH WELCOMING BANNER.




Initials JSU/VS/MGT/GLH



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Background: PRESIDENT ABDEL RAHMAN ARIF OF IRAQ HAS SAID IN TEHERAN THAT COOPERATION BETWEEN HIS COUNTRY AND IRAN IS ESSENTIAL TO THE SECURITY AND STABILITY OF THE MIDDLE EAST. HE WAS SPEAKING AT BANQUET LAST NIGHT (TUESDAY) AFTER HIS ARRIVAL IN IRAN FOR A SIX-DAY STATE VISIT.

PRESIDENT ARIF, RECOUNTING THE HISTORICAL TIES BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES, SAID AN IDENTITY OF INTERESTS MADE COOPERATION BETWEEN THEM "ALMOST A MATTER OF NECESSITY IN THIS SENSITIVE PART OF THE WORLD." HE INVITED SHAH MOHAMMED PAHLEVI AND QUEEN FARAH TO VISIT IRAQ TO "SEE FOR YOURSELVES THE SENTIMENTS, RESPECTS, GREAT LOVE AND AFFECTION THE IRAQI PEOPLE HAVE FOR YOU AND THE IRANIAN PEOPLE."
THOUSANDS GAVE PRESIDENT ARIF AN ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME WHEN HE ARRIVED IN TEHERAN. HE WAS GREETED AT THE AIRPORT BY THE SHAH AND HIS WIFE, CABINET MINISTERS AND A 21 GUN SALUTE.

AFTER A DRIVE ALONG THE BEAUTIFULLY DECORATED FIVE MILE ROUTE FROM THE AIRPORT, PRESIDENT AIF RECEIVED THE GOLDEN KEY TO THE CITY FROM TEHERAN'S MAYOR. THE PRESIDENT AND MADAME ARIF THEN DROVE WITH THE SHAH AND QUEEN FARAH TO GULISTAN PALACE. CROWDS JAMMED EACH SIDE OF THE ROAD, CLAPPING CHEERING THE PRESIDENTIAL PARTY.