BRIEF ON IRAN No. 494 Tuesday, September 10, 1996 Representative Office of The National Council of Resistance of Iran 3421 M Street NW #1032 Washington, DC 20007 U.S. Concerned Over Clerics' Ties with South Africa, Voice of America, September 9 ... Rafsanjani concludes his current African tour with a visit (later this week) to South Africa... The U.S. State Department is not mincing its words... about the Rafsanjani visit. It says Iran's international behavior, its support of terrorists, its efforts to destabilize governments and its pursuit of weapons of mass destruction represent a threat to all peace-loving nations - including the United States and South Africa. For that reason, the State Department says U.S. officials are concerned that the visit of the Iranian leader not signal a closer relationship between South Africa and Iran.... Pledge of Terrorists, Voice of America, September 9 ... Rafsanjani ended his two-day visit to Sudan Monday with a pledge of closer cooperation.... The Sudanese and Iranian leaders promised to improve their ties in the face of what their joint statement calls enemy forces trying to stir up trouble between Islamic nations.... Several Arab and Western governments have accused both Islamist governments of supporting extremists trying to destabilize secular administrations in the region. Sudan and Iran figure on The U.S. State Department's list of terrorist sponsoring states.... Clerics' Embarrassment in Tanzania, Reuters, September 9 DAR ES SALAAM - Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani arrived in Tanzania on Monday on the fourth leg of a six-nation African tour to improve ties and drum up business.... The presidential motorcade was slightly delayed by a dispute between one of Rafsanjani's bodyguards and a Tanzanian military officer over seating and an argument between other Tanzanian and Iranian escorts.... Crocodile Tears for Palestinians, Reuters, September 9 KHARTOUM - Sudan and Iran vowed on Monday to strengthen ties in the face of "enemy forces" which they said were trying to stir up trouble between Islamic countries.... "The two sides studied the current circumstances in the Islamic world in the light of attempts by enemy forces to sow differences between Moslem countries and people and stressed the need to cooperate and coordinate efforts to follow policies that will preserve unity among Moslem societies," the [joint] statement said.... Sudan and Iran also called for an "independent Palestinian state," saying Palestinians had the right to "a just holy struggle and the right to get back their occupied land."... Malaysia' Oil Deal with Tehran, United Press International, September 9 KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia's state oil company, Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas), said on Monday it would proceed with its oil exploration project in Iran despite the threat of U.S. sanctions. Petronas has a 30 percent stake in Iran's Sirri A and E fields through its Carigali subsidiary, in a deal with French oil group Total SA. The joint venture has been approved by Iranian authorities.... Worried About Future? Radio Israel, September 8 The daily Kayhan, quoting the Interior Minister of the Islamic Republic, wrote that any discussion over changes to the constitution to extend Rafsanjani's presidency must be put aside. Kayhan reported that Ali Mohammad Besharati in a news conference contended that "If we change the constitution for any reason, those coming in the future will have the courage to modify its progressive principles and the principles of the revolution will be questioned gradually..." Mullahs Accuse Jordan of "Submission," Put off Trade Bill, Agence France Presse, September 8 TEHRAN - Iran's parliament delayed passing a bill for trading with Jordan for another six months. Jordan has been accused of "submission" to Israel. Ali Movahedi Savoji, an ultra-conservative deputy said: "We will not vote for this bill because Jordan and its king have betrayed the Palestinians' aspirations by submission to the criminal regime of Natanyahu."