E/CN.4/1998/6 page 6 (a) To gather opinions and comments on all alleged incidents and government action incompatible with the Declaration of 1981, in order to analyse them and prepare conclusions and recommendations; (b) To pass on the experience and positive initiatives of States. 22. The visits enable dialogue to be initiated or pursued in greater depth with Governments and with all the parties concerned, namely, non-governmental organizations and all individuals, including victims, with a particular interest in the mandate. They also help to enhance understanding of the complexity of situations of intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief. 23. The Special Rapporteur makes two or three in situ visits a year, as indicated in the following table of visits since 1994: IN SITU VISITS BY THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR COUNTRY PERIOD REPORT CHINA November 1994 E/CN.4/1995/91 PAKISTAN June 1995 E/CN.4/1996/95/Add.1 IRAN December 1995 E/CN.4/1996/95/Add.2 GREECE June 1995 A/51/542/Add.1 SUDAN September 1996 A/51/542/Add.2 INDIA December 1996 E/CN.4/1997/91/Add.1 AUSTRALIA February-March 1997 E/CN.4/1998/6/Add.1 GERMANY September 1997 E/CN.4/1998/6/Add.2 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA January-February 1998 Report to be submitted at next session 24. The Special Rapporteur wishes to emphasize the cooperation which States have extended to him and would like to thank them again. Requests for visits sent to certain States have remained unanswered, as may be seen from the table of unanswered requests sometimes despite several reminders, consultations and earlier requests which are still valid.