ناريا ﯼمالسا ﯼروﻩمج ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF

Economic Conditions: Most economic activity in Iran is controlled by the government. Iran gains much of its economic stability from the export of oil. The rise of oil prices has benefited Iran by producing nearly 60 billion dollars in the past years. Unfortunately, Iran’s economy has suffered from a high unemployment and inflation. Iran’s GDP (gross domestic product) was estimated at $222,900 million USD in 2006. The unemployment rate was estimated at 15% which was rated the 47th worse rate in the world. The industrial production growth rate was estimated at 3.2%. Iran’s exports consist of petroleum, fruits, nuts and carpets. The imports consist of foods, consumer goods, and military supplies. The Iran rial is approximately 9,227.1 per 1 USD.

Political Conditions: Iran is considered a theocratic republic, this means that the country is run by a religious power, in Iran’s case they are run by Ali Hoseini-Khamenei. He is the supreme leader and has been since June 4th 1989. Iran’s president is Mahmud AhmadiNejad who was elected on August 3rd 1995. Iran’s independence was proclaimed on April 1st 1979 and this day is known as Republic Day. Iran’s presidents are chosen using democratic means. The President chooses his Cabinet, and stays under a 4-year term. Iran has an Islamic Consultative Assembly which holds 290 seats. The political conditions consist of parties which are as follows: Conservatives (Islamists), Reformers, Independents, Religious Minorities.

Social Conditions: Iran’s population was estimated at 65,397,521 in 2007. The life expectancy is approximately 70.56 years. Less then 0.1% of the population is suffering from HIV (AIDS). 98% of the country is Muslim (89% Shi’a and 9% Sunni) 2% consists of other religions. The literacy rate is 79.4%

Palestine-Israel: The Islamic Republic of Iran supports Palestine’s ongoing efforts to secure freedom and gain back what was rightfully theirs. Israel has should not be allowed to continue as a nation in an area where it is not wanted. Iran is deeply opposed to Israel.

War on Terror: The United States is not justified in its war on terror. They are the only country to use weapons of mass destruction; they therefore should not be allowed to assume other countries are creating weapons of mass destruction. As well they have no right to decide who is to have nuclear power and who is not. In-depth Report Iran-Iraq War

September 22, 1980 marks the beginning of the Iran and Iraq war. A war that lasted for 8 years but at the time seemed as if it were never ending. Most believe that Iraq started the war when Saddam Hussein had tore up the 1975 border agreement that Iraq had with Iran, over the sovereignty of the Shatt al-Arab waterway. After which President Saddam attacked Iranian air and military supply bases; this included ’s international airport. Iraq claimed it would not attack Iran’s oil installations but then Iran’s response was to do just that. This of course led to both oil facilities becoming damaged. Iraq had targeted Iran when it had been at a weaker state as it was distracted with political turmoil, rebellion and economic troubles. Iraq wanted power in the Persian Gulf and felt it could easily be obtained from Iran. This led them to the advantage that the U.S, a superpower would not help Iran despite their earlier ties, due to Iran capturing 52 American Hostages. Iraqi forces had invaded the oil-rich province, Khuzestan which killed thousands and attacked Abadan, a major oil installation. Iran began to invade the Susangerd region but was defeated. The fighting continued on because both were determined to fight until they were victorious. Many Arab countries such as Jordan and Saudi Arabia were in support of Iraq and aided them with $20 billion in loans. In 1984 numerous attacks occurred from both sides on international ships on the Persian Gulf. The war had not ended until August 1988 when Iran accepted the UN Security Council Resolution 598, which led to a cease-fire.

Mamoud Ahmadinejad: • Ahmadinejad is defining himself as a hardliner and in terms of domestic policy his statements follow the line of "We do not want Friday night Muslims, we want round-the-clock, seven-days-and-nights-a-week Muslims." • His University entrance exams rated him 132nd out of 400,000 applicants • He has a PhD in transportation engineering • He was previously a governor and mayor in various states in Iran. • When elected Ahmadinejad said he hoped to create an “exemplary government for the people of the world”

Fatemeh Javadi: • V.P. as of 2005 and also Head of the Environmental Protection Organization • Prior to appointment she was she was paleontologist teaching at the University of Shiraz • Top priorities: the promotion of environmental protection and environmental research • Boosting public awareness through environmental training courses from kindergarten all the way up to the universities • Ms. Massoumeh Ebtekar was former DOE

Statements: “The Islamic Republic of Iran, as a Party to the Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol, has been active in various international environmental meetings and conferences in the past several years. It also has taken important steps at national level to improve the environment and reduce the emission of polluting gases. This has been achieved by utilizing the renewable energies and extensive fuel switching, especially to natural gas; such that in 2006 almost 10 per cent of the national budget was devoted to the improvement of transport system, development of hydro power, solar power, wind power and expansion of natural gas grid for use in domestic and commercial buildings and industries.” “Mr.President, The population growth and economic development expand the problems Associated with pollution and land degradation. The annual increase in world population is approaching 80 million per year according to a UN report and approximately 90% of which are in the poorest countries where one quarter of the population live in absolute poverty.” “Earlier in history when populations were more dispersed, and the demand was smaller, environmental concerns were minor. Although we need more minerals and chemicals to reach a higher standard of living, it seems inevitable that if we do not use them in a sound manner, they would not only pollute the planet, but also they would have severe effects on our health.” Islamic Republic of Iran with a population approximately 70 million and a surface area of 1.65 million square kilometres is one of the leading countries in the region that has extensive and intensive efforts for strengthening national capabilities in management and development of national chemical safety programs and promotion of safe use of chemicals. We have started to improve existing laws and set up national rules, regulations and guidelines for implementing the Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions as well as SAICM recommendations. These include managing risks and the industrial use of chemicals, and their classification and labelling (GHS). We have also prepared an appropriate program for pesticide risk reduction and using non- carcinogenic pesticides. Furthermore the Islamic Republic of Iran has national programs for solid waste management, monitoring, control and reduction of heavy metals and industrial pollution, contamination reduction in surface and ground water, application of pesticides and fertilizers and so on. In terms of waste management we are planning to select proper sites for landfills in all 30 provinces of the country through GIS technology and sound field explorations. In this regard we are ready for information and experience exchange and wish to cooperate with other countries in the region.”

TIMELINE 1501 - Shah Ismail I becomes first ruler of Islamic Safavid dynasty; Shi'i Islam declared state religion.

1828 - Iran cedes control of Caucasus to Russia after second Russo-Persian war.

1907 - Introduction of constitution which limits the absolutist powers of rulers.

1925 December - Parliament votes to make Reza Khan Ruler.

1926 April - Reza Khan crowned Reza Shah Pahlavi. Mohammad Reza, the Shah's eldest son, is proclaimed Crown Prince. 1935 - Formerly known as Persia, Iran is adopted as the country's official name.

1941 - The Shah's pro-Axis allegiance in World War II leads to the Anglo-Russian occupation of Iran and the deposition of the Shah in favor of his son, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

1950 - Ali Razmara becomes prime minister and is assassinated less than nine months later. He is succeeded by the nationalist, Mohammad Mossadeq.

1951 April - Parliament votes to nationalize the oil industry, which is dominated by the British-owned Anglo-Iranian Oil Company. Britain imposes an embargo and a blockade, halting oil exports and hitting the economy. A power struggle between the Shah and Mossadeq ensues and the Shah flees the country in August 1953.

1953 August - Mossadeq is overthrown in a coup engineered by the British and American intelligence services. General Fazlollah Zahedi is proclaimed as prime minister and the Shah returns.

1963 January - The Shah embarks on a campaign to modernize and westernize the country. He launches the 'White Revolution', a programme of land reform and social and economic modernization. During the late 1960's the Shah became increasingly dependent on the secret police (SAVAK) in controlling those opposition movements critical of his reforms.

Islamic Republic of Iran/ Jomhuri-e-Islami-e-Iran (Female suffrage)

1978 September - The Shah's policies alienate the clergy and his authoritarian rule leads to riots, strikes and mass demonstrations. Martial law is imposed.

1979 January - As the political situation deteriorates, the Shah and his family are forced into exile. 1 February - The Islamic fundamentalist, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, returns to Iran following 14 years of exile in Iraq and France for opposing the regime. 1 April - The Islamic Republic of Iran is proclaimed following a referendum. November - Islamic militants take 52 Americans hostage inside the US embassy in Tehran. They demand the extradition of the Shah, in the US at the time for medical treatment, to face trial in Iran.

1980 January - Abolhasan Bani-Sadr is elected the first President of the Islamic Republic. His government begins work on a major nationalization programme. 22 September - Start of Iran-Iraq war this lasts for eight years.

1985 - After the US and Soviet Union halted arms supplies, the US attempted to win the release of hostages in Lebanon by offering secret arms deals, this would later become known as the Iran-Contra affair.

1988 July - Iran accepts a ceasefire agreement with Iraq following negotiations in Geneva under the aegis of the UN.

1989 August - Ali Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani is sworn in as the new president. November - The US releases 567 million dollars of frozen Iranian assets. 1990 September - Iran and Iraq resume diplomatic ties.

1995 - US impose oil and trade sanctions over Iran's alleged sponsorship of "terrorism", seeking to acquire nuclear arms and hostility to the Middle East process. Iran denies the charges.

1997 May - wins the presidential election with 70% of the vote, beating the conservative ruling elite.

1998 September - Iran deploys thousands of troops on its border with Afghanistan after the Taliban admits killing eight Iranian diplomats and a journalist in Mazar-e Sharif.

1999 July - Pro-democracy students at Tehran University demonstrate following the closure of the reformist newspaper 'Salam'. Clashes with security forces lead to six days of rioting and the arrest of more than 1,000 students.

2000 February - Majlis elections. Liberals and supporters of Khatami wrest control of parliament from conservatives for the first time.

2002 January - US President George Bush describes Iraq, Iran and North Korea as an "axis of evil", warning of the proliferation of long-range missiles being developed in these countries. The speech causes outrage in Iran and is condemned by reformists and conservatives alike. September - Russian technicians begin construction of Iran's first nuclear reactor at Bushehr despite strong objections from US.

2003 September - UN nuclear watchdog, IAEA, gives Tehran weeks to prove it is not pursuing an atomic weapons program. November - Iran says it is suspending its uranium enrichment program and will allow tougher UN inspections of its nuclear facilities. IAEA concludes there is no evidence of a weapons program.

2004 November - Iran agrees to suspend most of its uranium enrichment under a deal with the EU.

2005 June - , Tehran's ultra-conservative mayor, wins a run- off vote in presidential elections, defeating cleric and former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.

2005 August-September - Tehran says it has resumed uranium conversion at its Isfahan plant and insists the programme is for peaceful purposes. IAEA finds Iran in violation of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

2006 January - Iran breaks IAEA seals at its Natanz nuclear research facility. February - IAEA votes to report Iran to the UN Security Council over its nuclear activities. Iran resumes uranium enrichment at Natanz. April - Iran says it has succeeded in enriching uranium at its Natanz facility. December - Iran hosts a controversial conference on the Holocaust; delegates include Holocaust deniers.

2007 February - IAEA says Iran failed to meet a deadline to suspend uranium enrichment, exposing Tehran to possible new sanctions. March - Diplomatic stand-off with Britain after Iran detains 15 British sailors and marines patrolling the mouth of the Shatt al-Arab waterway separating Iran and Iraq. April - President Ahmadinejad says Iran can produce nuclear fuel on an industrial scale. May - IAEA says Iran could develop a nuclear weapon in three to eight years if it so chooses. Iran agrees to allow inspectors to visit the Arak nuclear plant following talks with the IAEA

Bibliography Mannetti, Lisa. Iran and Iraq Nations at War. : Franklin Watts (an Impact book), 1986.

MEIRA. Women in the Middle East: Progress or Regress? June 2006. 7 Oct. 2007 .

BBC News. Timeline: Iran. 18 July 2007. 7 Oct. 2007 .

BBC News. 1980: War Breaks Out Between Iran and Iraq.. 7 Oct. 2007 .

Iran Chamber Society. History of Iran. 2001-2007. . .

Iranian Cultural Information Centre. Iran. 19 Nov. 2001. 7 Oct. 2007 .

Economist. Country Briefings: Iran. 2007. 7 Oct. 2007 .

Statements from: http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:81giAXzWFJMJ:www.climate- change.ir/en/cop12/Statement_Dr%2520Javadi.pdf+Fatemeh+Javadi&hl=en&ct=clnk&c d=7&gl=ca http://www.who.int/ifcs/documents/forums/forum5/iran.pdf