Iran still waiting for official steps on Iraq's lifting ban on travel

Iranian President Mohammed Khatami asked Iraqi President Saddam Hussien to release Iranian POW's in a step to show good will and begin a new page in relations between the two countries, which were suspended as a result of a bloody eight-year war that began in 1980.

Iraqi Radio of Baghdad reported on August 19 that Saddam Hussien had decided to lift a travel ban on Iranian pilgrims and let Iranian Shiites visit Shiite holy places, such as Najaf and Husien at Karbala and Al Kathim in Baghdad.

An official source from Iran declared that "we are still waiting for an official note on this matter."