Page 1 |No. 3| February 2016 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Mehr Vision|No.3|February 2016

Iran Economy after Sanctions Page 2 |No. 3| February 2016 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

Contents

Post-JCPOA: Time to invest in 3 President Rouhani’s historic visit to Europe sees higher profits 10 A New Chapter in Diplomacy 12 All OPEC members face challenges over fall in oil revenue 13 Cover Story Cover

Saudi, UAE enemy of democracy in Persian Gulf states 19 ‘US tried in vain to defeat Tunisian Revolution’ 20 Iran to solve Saudi issue from position of strength 22 EU, Saudis ‘hypocrite’ on Syrian migrant crisis 24

Politics Saudi Arabia’s Reckless Extremism 26

Tehran, melting pot of cultures during 34th Fajr Intl. Theater Festival 28 Japan’s ‘The Shadow Game’ takes Iranian stage by storm 29 ‘Becoming Butterfly’ on wings of imagination, visual arts 31 Mehr Vision A157 and the price women pay in a man-waged war 32 ‘A Letter for Second Thought’ unveiled 34 Managing Director: Ali Asgari In memory of Jamalzadeh; Father of Persian prose writing 35 Culture 34th Fajr Film Festival wraps up 36 Editorial Board: ‘Iron Head’, different taste of technology 37 Seyed Amir Hassan Dehghani, Mohammad Ghaderi, HamidReza Gholamzadeh

Editorial Coordinator: News in Vision 38 Marjohn Sheikhi

Contributors: Lachin Rezaian, Hossein Azari, Marjohn Sheikhi, Samad Habibi, Mohammad Mazhari, Payman Yazadni, Javad Heirannia, Hanif Ghaffari

Art Director: Mahboubeh Azizi

Phone: +98-21-43051350 Email:[email protected]

Address: No. 18, Bimeh Alley, Nejatollahi St., Tehran, Iran

Mehr Vision welcomes contributions by readers which can be sent via email. Cover Story Page 3 |No. 3| February 2016 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

Post-JCPOA: Time to invest in Iran By: Hossein Azari

Since the implementation of JCPOA huge trade and economic foreign dele- with the Slovenian Minister of Economic on January 16, 2016, Iran has observed gations from all around the world paying Development and Technology Zdravko a myriad of economic events to be re- visit to Iran in the hope of participating Počivalšek. viewed in the current article. in the massive Iranian market; so far, Furthermore, four of Slovenia’s larg- After several months of negotiations several Memorandums of Understand- est companies including one firm active between Iran and the 5+1 group of ing (MoUs) and contracts have been in the realm of oil and gas opened their countries, the promised day finally -ar signed between Iranian and foreign bureaus in Tehran during the visit. rived a few weeks ago on January 16 and state and private sector companies. However, the German and Slovakian sanctions that had engulfed our Iran for groups left Tehran before the implemen- many years are now lifted. On road to the implementation day tation of Iran historic nuclear deal giving The measure will undoubtedly lead It was on January 13 when the head their place to Slovakians who marked to improved relations between Iran and of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran the first foreign delegation to be present other countries and can greatly affect (AEOI) said Iran is opening a new chap- in Iran in the post sanction era. the country’s fate. ter in international relations and in Waiting for the removal of sanctions Now, in the period following the playing a decisive role in the future of didn’t last any longer than Saturday Jan- conclusion of the Joint Comprehensive world’s energy. uary 16 when the International Atomic Plan of Action (JCPOA), Iran is faced “To prepare to face future conditions, Energy Agency (IAEA) issued its final re- with many opportunities as the Iranian the energy sector’s future shall be duly port on Tehran’s disputed nuclear pro- Foreign Ministry’s Director General for considered,” added not- gram marking the consummation of the Political Affairs Hamid Baeedinejad un- ing, “this means that there must be a July 14, 2015 nuclear agreement. derlined “the post-JCPOA era provides strategic vision in outlining the energy “We have stretched our hands toward an opportunity for compensating for the sector’s long-term plans.” the world in a sign of friendship and be- lost opportunities.” A few days before the implementa- gun a new chapter in our relations with Playing an essential role in global en- tion of the nuclear deal, former German the world after overcoming all the- en ergy supply as well as several other stra- Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder arrived mities, skepticism and schemes devised tegic advantages like excellent human in Iran leading a trade delegation for a against us,” President Rouhani told the force will guarantee adequate revenues three-day visit to Tehran. A visit which Iranian nation one day following the im- for the development of the country, ended in a number agreements includ- plementation day. while at the same time, guaranteeing ing an MoU for new railroad coopera- national security of the country. tion between Islamic Republic of Iran Iranian officials set priorities Since the day on which JCPOA was Railways and Germany’s Siemens Com- A few days after the removal of put into operation, numerous countries pany. sanctions, Iran’s Deputy Energy Minis- have expressed willingness to initiate or Also, the Slovenian Economy Minister ter Houshang Falahatian described the resume bilateral cooperation with Iran Zdravko Počivalšek visited Iran as head most important investment plans in in various areas. Meanwhile, Iranian au- of an economic delegation hoping that Iran’s power industry for the post-sanc- thorities have always emphasized that the trip would lead to new and effective tion era saying “the most significant the country’s priority remains as tech- steps toward boosting trade ties. scenarios for the expansion of the coun- nology transfer as well as joint produc- After the meeting with the - repre try’s power industry after the lifting of tion rather than mere import of foreign sentatives of 45 Slovenian companies, sanctions include consumption manage- products. Iran’s Energy Minister Chitchian signed ment, reduction of energy waste in line Over the past few weeks, the country a Memorandum of Understanding to with increased productivity, moderniza- has observed the presence of small and finance Iran’s power electricity projects tion and rehabilitation of existing power » Cover Story Page 4 |No. 3| February 2016 MEHR NEWSAGENCY plants, construction and development of high-voltage substations which -per tains to foreign investment.” Managing Director of National Ira- nian Oil Refining and Distribution Com- pany (NIORDC) Abbas Kazemi described new schemes to expand exports of oil products in the new post sanction era adding “in the current year, Iran has joined the group of countries who ex- port a variety of oil products including diesel oil, aviation gasoline, naphtha, fuel oil, kerosene as well as LPG.”

Slovakia gets the show on the road As mentioned previously, the first foreign team to arrive in Iran after the JCPOA implementation was the 40-member Slovakian delegation who reserves, but international sanctions Republic of Iran. arrived in Mashhad on Monday January had stymied progress across its energy Accordingly the economic officials of 17 headed by the European country’s sector. both countries are scheduled to meet in Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime “Iran was one of the major trading Tehran in late February to sign the rele- Minister of Slovakia Peter Kažimír. partners before the sanctions and had vant contracts. Upon arrival, the Slovakian minister good relations with Korean companies,” Even more, at a meeting with the announced happiness for being the first said Eom Chi-sung, an official at the South Korean Ambassador to Tehran delegation to visit Iran after the remov- Federation of Korean Industries adding Kim Sung-ho on January 29, Iran’s Dep- al of international sanctions expressing “as the Iranian government is expected uty Labor Minister and head of the Or- readiness to strengthen bilateral rela- to expand investment in infrastructure, ganization for Technical and Vocational tions. several construction and plant projects Training Mohammad Amin Sazgar Nejad “The trip aims to sign two legal Mem- are expected to be up for grabs (for Ko- expressed eagerness towards opening orandums of Understanding (MoUs) in rean companies).” of a new phase in international cooper- order to prevent double taxation and to According to a recent survey by the ation between the Islamic Republic of support and encourage mutual invest- Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Iran and the world, saying that investi- ment,” said the official adding “we plan Agency (KOTRA) on 521 Iranian com- gation of possible venues for joint col- to attend sessions with Iranian econom- panies, 90 percent of respondents said laboration with other countries in the ic activists with the purpose of develop- they plan to expand trade with Korean field of strengthening labor force and ing economic cooperation.” companies following the sanctions re- vocational training has been put on the At a separate meeting with the Gover- lief, citing reasonable price and quality agenda of the organization.” nor of the Central Bank of Iran Valiollah of products. Seif, the two sides stressed cementing In the past decades, South Kore- Czech Republic seeks venues for banking ties between Iran and Slovakia an builders had clinched deals worth boosting ties calling for establishment of a joint bank US$12 billion with Iran, but since 2009, Iran’s Minister of Industry, Trade and account. there have been few deals due to the Mines The meeting also addressed pos- economic sanctions that the United Na- met and talked with Jan Mládek, Czech sible venues for banking cooperation tions imposed for its nuclear program in Republic’s Minister of Industry and between the two countries including es- 2010. Trade, on January 17 in Tehran investi- tablishment of agencies and branches as The Korea International Trade Asso- gating possible grounds for bilateral co- well as holding 40-percent participation ciation (KITA) projects that Iran’s con- operation in industry and trade sectors. in the stock of Iranian banks. struction market will reach $154 billion At the meeting, the officials further Peter Kažimír also evaluated the sign- in 2016, sharply up from $88.7 billion in enumerated possible venues for cooper- ing of an MoU between Iranian and Slo- 2013. ation between the two countries includ- vakian banks as a positive step towards Also on January 21, in a bid to revive ing electronics, equipment, machinery increasing trade turnover between the Tehran-Seoul economic ties after the as well as vehicle industries. two countries. successful implementation of the JCPOA It was also noted that other suitable and removal of anti-Iran sanctions, areas for cooperation with foreign part- South Korean firms eye Iran after South Korean Ministry of Trade, Indus- ners consist of steel, copper, aluminum sanctions relief try and Energy (MOTIE) issued an official industries, vehicle manufacturing, ma- Iran holds the world’s fourth-largest announcement voicing readiness to sign chinery and railroad transport among oil reserves and the second-largest gas a $2 billion insurance deal with Islamic the others. » Cover Story Page 5 |No. 3| February 2016 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

During a separate session, Iran’ Min- Chinese President arrives in Tehran believe that the visit would be a suc- ister of Economy Ali Tayebnia and the Let’s take advantage of the opportu- cessful one to strengthen further the Minister of Industry and Trade of the nity offered by the Chinese president’s friendship and bilateral cooperation of Czech Republic Jan Mládek have signed visit to Tehran. China is the biggest trade Iran and China.” an economic MoU. partner of Iran. This country follows a Later on the arrival day, Iranian and The newly-signed agreement consists centralized plan to boost its relations Chinese presidents exchanged views on of various provisions including forma- with other countries. If the Chinese drafting a 25-year compressive plan and tion of a joint commission between the president comes to Iran at the head of promoting trade ties up to $600bn in Islamic Republic of Iran and the Czech a 1,000-strong delegation, it means that ten years. Republic aiming to put into operation the Chinese side has been planning this President Rouhani highlighted the the MoU as well as identifying the ob- trip in various sectors since months ago. importance of strengthening ties with stacles on development of bilateral ties, Therefore, it would be expedient for the China, saying “this visit happened in a joint collaboration in the fields of indus- Iranian side to take decisive steps for the historic point in time following the im- try and mining, construction of com- attraction of Chinese capital and imple- plementation of the nuclear agreement pound power plants as well as cooper- mentation of projects in view of oppor- and the subsequent lift of anti-Iranian ation in the areas of technology transfer tunities offered by JCPOA. sanctions. I hope that we can sign the and railroad transit. Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived final memorandum of cooperation- be in Tehran on January 23 on a key two- tween the two countries today.” Italy in Qazvin city day visit to hold talks with Iranian offi- Iran’s and China’s Xi A visit by Italian ambassador to cials about opportunities to develop co- Jinping also signed JSCSP (Joint State- Tehran to Qazvin province and provin- operation in politics and trade. He was ment on Comprehensive Strategic cial governor on Tuesday January 20 welcomed officially by Foreign Minister Partnership). The JSCSP consists of 20 brought about signing of Memorandum . articles, specifying the roadmap -of de of Understanding in cultural, economic China has retained for many consec- veloping and deepening Tehran-Beijing and infrastructural fields. utive years its position as Iran’s biggest ties in “Political,” “Executive Coopera- Mauro Conciatori, the ambassador importer of crude oil and its biggest tion,” “Human and Cultural,” “Judiciary, and Italian Commercial Attaché in Teh- trade partner. The trip marked the first Security and Defense,” and “Regional ran Adolfo Urso sat in a session with visit of the highest ranking official from and International” domains. Qazvin province economic activists and the most major Asian power and one of President Rouhani and President Xi officials to discuss bilateral trade. the five world powers to Tehran after 14 Jinping of China further sat to sign 17 We have a general assessment of years. economic MoUs to transform the eco- Iran’s capacities and during visits to dif- Considering JCPOA as mutual op- nomic ties to new highs in the upcoming ferent provinces especially Qazvin, we portunity for new development, upon months. The most interesting and -per found huge capabilities and grounds for his arrival at Mehrabad International haps ambitious was to revive Silk Road, investments which we welcome to par- Airport, Chinese president pointed the historically used route connecting ticipate at,” said the ambassador. out “I expect to have interlocution the Europe and Eastern Asia of the me- Mohammad Ali Qasemi, the depu- with Iranian officials in regards to bi- dieval times and by which major goods ty-head of Qazvin Center for Investment lateral cooperation as well as shared were transited in the extremities of the Services, and Adolfo Urso signed the and favorite regional and international Eurasian landmass. MoU of economic and cultural cooper- issues in order to set the prospect of Several other MoUs focused on trans- ation. Beijing-Tehran relations; moreover I portation, banking, trade and business, human resources, culture, customs and import tariffs and media communica- tions and exchange of cultural products between Iran and China. Iran’s Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also received Chinese President Xi Jin- ping where he said “Iran’s government and nation have always welcomed- ex tensive relations with independent and reliable countries as China; and based on this premise, the recent agreement which secures 25 years of strategic re- lations between two countries is justi- fied.” Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Lar- ijani and Chinese President Xi Jinping also met and discussed expansion of economic ties between Iran and Chi- » Cover Story Page 6 |No. 3| February 2016 MEHR NEWSAGENCY na in the fields of oil, gas, railway and Turkey preferential trade agreement illegal economic sanctions lift, in a step transfer of modern technology and Iran toward the country’s reintegration into knowledge. Head of Turkish Gaziantep’s Chamber the international system and the two Iran’s relations with the United States of Commerce has announced the reach- countries have recently launched dis- and Europe make up an important part ing of 35 billion dollars of trade turnover cussions to resume Iranian oil deliveries of the Islamic Republic’s foreign rela- on the basis of preferential trade agree- to Greece two weeks ago. tions. The past is a beacon for the fu- ment between Iran and Turkey. After Greece’s efforts in developing ture. We are past the peak of change in Speaking at Tehran Chamber of Com- trilateral relations with Cypress and our trade relations. Since five years ago, merce, Industries and Mines on Sun- Egypt, the relation with Tehran is highly the volume of Iran’s trade with Asian day, Ayub Bartek referred to the trade important strategically for the economi- countries has been higher than the com- potentials of Iran and Turkey asserting cally-entangled EU country. bination of Iran’s trade with Europe and “the two countries share numerous The Greek delegation visited North America. It took about 200 years commonalities which need to be taken one night before arriving in the capital, for this major shift to come about. It into mind with regard to transport and saying the city was highly significant seems that a return to past times is not logistics in bilateral relations.” worldwide due to its historical legacy. logical. Therefore, we must take care He further announced the upcoming They were received by Rasoul Zargar- not to allow relations with countries visit of a Turkish trade delegation to Iran pour, the Governor of Isfahan Province like Russia, India, China and other Asian aiming to increase the trade turnover while they also paid a visit to Naqsh-e countries be removed from our list of between the two countries and analyze Jahan Square, an important historical priorities. the existing barriers. site and one of UNESCO’s World Herit- age Sites. Thai FM visits Tehran Greek PM visits Isfahan, Tehran Iran’s first Vice President Es’hagh Ja- Thailand Minister of Foreign Affairs Following the competing atomo- hangiri officially welcomed Greek Prime Don Pramudwina arrived in Tehran on sphere overwhelming European coun- Minister Alexis Tsipras at S’adabad Pal- Sunday January 24 heading a trade del- tries to develop ties with Iran in the ace on Monday January 8 and discussed egation. post-sanctions era, Greek Prime Min- bilateral issues and cooperation -be A delegation of Thai businessmen ister Alexis Tsipras paid an official visit tween the two countries. and trade officials were accompanying to Iran, at the head of a high ranking The two sides inked three Memoran- Don Pramudwina in his visit to Tehran to delegation of politicians, economists, da of Understanding (MoUs) for political get familiar with trade opportunities in industrialists and businessmen on Feb- cooperation, memorandum of develop- Iran. ruary 7-8 to sign several memoranda of ment to cancel visa regime and bilateral Islamic Republic of Iran and Thailand cooperation with the authorities of our cooperation roadmap. sought expansion of economic ties in country. The Greek prime minister also re- post-JCPOA era as the removal of sanc- The two countries sought to cooper- ferred to the direct flight route between tions provide unique opportunities- re ate in many fields, especially in the field Tehran and Athens, expressing hope the garding the bilateral trade and business of oil and energy, transport, tourism, move would establish the flight on a dai- ties. industry, ports and shipping, academic ly basis. and cultural cases, holding art festival Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras Britain inks electricity deal with Iran and etc. also held separate meetings with Irani- An official in Iran Power Generation Greece aims to strengthen ties with an President Hassan Rouhani, Head of and Transmission Company (TAVANIR) Iran and boost economic relations after Expediency Council Akbar Hashemi Raf- » said on January 24 that the first ever deal to build power plant has been signed with British SST company. The first ever agreement signed will build solar power plant for Iran’s Bakhtar Electricity Co., a regional sub- sidiary of TAVANIR. The total value of agreement is estimated to be $1mn. Farhad Shabihi, the company’s Man- aging Director told reporters that British company would design, manu- facture, install, and operate the solar power plant of 50mW capacity; “the agreement came only two days after the implementation of JCPOA which effectively removed sanctions which had been hitting Iran’s economy,” he added. Cover Story Page 7 |No. 3| February 2016 MEHR NEWSAGENCY sanjani, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Khamenei as well as Secretary of the Supreme National Security Coun- cil (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani and discussed issues of mutual interests along with re- gional and global developments mainly emphasizing that Athens intends to ex- pand relations with Tehran beyond the normal regulations set for an EU coun- try.

Kazakhstan deploys huge trade delegation to Tehran A 260-member Kazakh delegation arrived in Tehran on January 7 headed by the Central Asian country’s Minister of Investment and Development Asset Issekeshev. Receiving the Kazakh minister, Irani- an Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif highlighted the close relations “The Islamic Republic of Iran can Chain of oil talks between the two countries saying Ira- act as an export panel for Kazakhstan,” The attractiveness of investment in nian market is open to Kazakh busi- mentioned Hojjati expressing willing- the country’s oil industry as well as the nessmen while both countries deem ness to reinvigorate ties in the area of removal of international sanctions led significant expansion of bilateral rela- agriculture. foreign companies to seek active partici- tions. Issekeshev deemed Iran as a special pation in Iran’s oil and gas industry. The Kazakh minister underlined economic zone and exports hub empha- “Foreign firms are expecting to find a that “we have come to Iran heading a sizing “we have received good propos- slew of business opportunities in Iran as 250-strong delegation of businessmen als from Kazakh firms for the export of the lifting of sanctions on the oil-rich na- and industrial bodies for evaluating the meat to Iran; we possess plans to pro- tion could open up new investments to grounds for new investment and fur- duce Halal meat.” rebuild its economy,” industry officials thering cooperation with the Islamic Kazakh President Nursultan Naz- said after JCPOA implementation. Republic.” arbayev is also scheduled to visit Tehran It was on January 17th that repre- Issekeshev further maintained that in late April while the upcoming trip is sentatives of Azerbaijani oil companies Kazakhstan is keen on boosting mutual deemed to commence a new phase in visited Iran Oil Terminals Company cooperation in the fields of tourism, ed- the two countries’ relations. (IOTC) expressing readiness to cooper- ucation and culture. ate in manufacturing and overhaul of Later on Monday, the Iran-Kazakhstan Oil giants in Tehran IOTC’s floating balls. trade and investment conference was Also, representatives of several of the Indeed, the capabilities and experi- held where Iran’s Industry Minister Mo- world’s oil giants have traveled to Iran ence of IOTC in repairing floating balls in hammadreza Nematzadeh said “Iran’s on the verge of the removal of interna- Assaluyeh and Kharg terminals has en- strategic geographical location and its tional sanctions on January 15. couraged Azerbaijani companies to par- connectivity with the Caspian Sea, the The visiting representatives held talks ticipate in Iranian floating ball projects. Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman has with the officials of National Iranian Oil Mohammad Keramati, head of the offered the country special privileges; Company (NIOC) as well as National Ira- Research Institute of Petroleum Indus- by taking advantage of the great status, nian Tanker Company (NITC) discussing try (RIPI), said the country has started a Kazakhstan could strengthen its rela- venues for boosting bilateral ties. fresh round of negotiations with two in- tionship with neighboring countries and The two sides dealt with various is- ternational companies active in the field the world.” sues including hiring of Iranian oil tank- of smartifying oil reserves. The official During the session with Kazakh offi- ers, insurance coverage, marine trans- also said the country has started a fresh cials, it was agreed to form two tech- portation services, repairs as well as round of negotiations with two interna- nical working groups in order to inves- spare parts supply. tional companies active in the field of tigate the difficulties of the previously Meanwhile, NITC Managing Director smartifying oil reserves. One of the sides sealed MoUs. Ali Akbar Safaei had announced the re- to the negotiations was a Swiss-German At a separate meeting with Iran’s Ag- turn of Iranian tankers to the European company that has international acclaim riculture Minister , the market in the wake of post sanction and experience in building smart inflow two sides launched talks on new agri- adding “relevant negotiations with all control valve (ICV) equipment, he said. cultural cooperation between Iran and world’s major oil companies have be- Keramati further referred to the RIPI’s Kazakhstan. gun.” oil talks with a Norwegian company, say- » Cover Story Page 8 |No. 3| February 2016 MEHR NEWSAGENCY ing the company has a lot of experience of Naples Federico II located in Naples, Managing Director for Internation- in the field of horizontal and directional Italy; “accordingly, the same modern al Relations of the National Iranian Gas drilling. “Soon, the RIPI will hold further method will be applied to the west of Company (NIGC) Azizollah Ramezani talks with representatives of these two Kermanshah Province.” welcomed the idea of the European European companies,” he said. Meanwhile, on January 26, Managing Union officials travelling to Iran for rein- Iranian Deputy Oil Minister Rokno- Director of National Iranian Oil Refining vigorating mutual relations in the fields din Javadi also expressed satisfaction and Distribution Company (NIORDC) of energy and natural gas; “gas exports towards the removal of cruel sanctions Abbas Kazemi referred to the launch of should not be merely limited to neigh- against the Iranian oil industry stating talks between Iran and two Japanese boring countries or the region asserting “an opportunity has emerged now for and South Korean oil giants for the im- and supplying gas to far-reached coun- acceleration of development in the plementation of plans to reduce fuel tries particularly EU-member countries country which will exert far-reaching ef- oil production capacity in two of the needs to be put on the agenda.” fects on oil industry as well.” Referring country’s refineries; “so far, several talks The official further stressed that gas to the positive outcomes of the lifting of have been held with these companies exports to Europe brings about interna- sanctions, Javadi asserted “top priori- and the two sides have reached primary tional and political advantages in addi- ties of the National Iranian Oil Company agreements.” tion to economic achievements; -“cur (NIOC) include increasing crude exports, rently, Russia is selling gas to Europe via development as well as attracting in- War on oil market a 3000-kilometer pipeline and so can vestment and technology from the glob- Deputy Oil Minister for Internation- Iran.” al market.” Managing director of NIOC al Affairs Amir Hossein Zamaninia- em pointed out the plan to increase oil out- phasized that the country’s production Oil tankers free to EU ports put by 500 thousand barrels per day as and exports capacity of oil will reach On January 18, Managing Director of National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) Ali Akbar Safaei pointed out the official removal of the first sanction on Iran’s oil industry in the field of marine transport of crude oil and petroleum products; “Iranian tankers will now travel under the license of British Lloyds internation- al classification institution.” NITC managing director also ex- pressed readiness to return to the Eu- ropean Union’s ports and oil terminals saying “soon, a number of Iranian oil tankers will leave for Europe in order to cooperate with the world’s oil giants.” “With the issuance of technical certif- icates, reputable insurance companies will provide Iranian tankers with insur- ance coverage with lower risks,” Safaei the first stage after the implementation one million barrels per day within a few emphasized. of JCPOA; “No technical obstacles are months; “during the sanction years, Iran Also, the official website of the- Of perceived in rising oil production espe- lost a portion of its oil market with coun- fice of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) cially with regard to aging pipelines or tries like Saudi Arabia conquering the of the US Department of the Treasury oil facilities.” Deputy oil minister urged Iranian oil market,” he underlined. The announced on January 19 that “all ships international oil companies to take official deemed regaining of the lost oil belonging to maritime fleet of the Is- more explicit and serious measures in market as the most important plan for lamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines this regard. the country adding “currently, Iran en- (IRISL) have been taken away from the It was on January 25 that the Head joys numerous customers from various eight-year-old sanctions list.” IRISL and of NIOC Oil and Gas Exploration Hormoz parts of the world.” its subsidiaries had been put on OFAC’s Ghalavand referred to the inking of con- An official at the European Union has list since September 2008. tract between NIOC and University of also announced that 15 EU officials will Barcelona in Spain on a joint geological make a 14-day technical visit to Iran. Ac- Airbus to land in Iran and geophysical exploration study; “the cordingly, one of the objectives of the Only a couple of days after the Sec- study area covers the southern part of Europe Commission is to make efforts retary of Iran’s Aviation Companies As- the Zagros sedimentary basin located to promote the export of Iranian gas via sociation Maghsoud Asadi Samani said in Hormozgan Province.” NIOC’s explo- pipeline and LNG shipments within the “world aircraft manufacturers compete ration director also pointed out the ink- framework of the project called the Eu- for the Iranian aviation market and Ira- ing of a similar deal with the University ropean Union’s Southern Gas Corridor. nian airliners are conducting negotia- » Cover Story Page 9 |No. 3| February 2016 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

tions with Airbus and Boeing trying to “Iran Civil Aviation Organization sions of the agreements including es- ink contracts with the company offering (ICAO) is conducting talks on direct tablishment of joint firms, formation the best proposal,” Minister of Roads flights between Iran and the US,” main- of new brands, technology transfer, and Urban Development Abbas Ak- tained the official concluding “daily joint cooperation in spare part produc- houndi announced that “an agreement flights to New York used to take place tion, exports of a portion of the prod- has reached to buy 114 aircraft from before the Islamic Revolution and they ucts to third-party countries, bilateral France’s Airbus for national carriers Iran will hopefully get resumed in near fu- collaboration in increasing quality in Air, Mahan and Homa.” ture.” addition to diversification on the ba- Iran also held the First International Furthermore, Deputy Minister for sis of customers’ demands leading to Conference on Iranian Aviation January International Affairs at the Ministry of their satisfaction as well as training 24-25 after 35 years where 200 industry Road and Urban Development Asghar and education. moguls, experts, and the heads of pres- Fakhrieh Kashan noted on January 25 tigious airlines of the world sat to dis- that the path for international coop- In brief cuss the ways to Iranian markets. eration has become clear with the re- To recapitulate, it seems that the Head of Iran’s Civil Aviation Organ- moval of sanctions; “French, Chinese new era after the Joint Comprehensive ization public relations office Reza and Italian companies have made cor- Plan of Action (JCPOA) will be the era for Jafarzadeh told the reporters before respondences expressing readiness to compensating for the bygone opportu- the event that “we have excellent make investments in Imam Khomeini, nities. Iran promises huge trade oppor- conditions to serve passing airlines, Mashhad, Shiraz and Ahwaz airports; tunities at the present time. The country to shorten routes, providing air se- Italy’s ATR Company, Canada’s Bom- appears to be a big attraction for com- curity, and hence have an attractive bardier Inc. and France’s Airbus are panies after a successful conclusion to market for foreign investments; with among the firms who seek to seal a nuclear talks with six world powers. As bans removed from export of planes deal with Iran”. sanctions have been lifted, several over- and plane parts to Iran, now European seas companies are eyeing business op- and American giants (notably Airbus Foreign automakers eager to enter Iran portunities. and Boeing) provide a broader and The lifting of sanctions has provided Overseas companies have already promising prospects for Iran’s tourism new money transfer conditions as well started showing interest in the Iranian industry.” as the possibility of opening finance for market. Germany, France and Spain are Iranian Aviation 2016 provided - ex Iranian automakers enabling them to willing to have business relations with cellent grounds for cooperation of Iran’s conduct joint production with their for- Iran, and airlines in Dubai are starting aviation and international aviation in- eign counterparts. new routes in accordance with growing dustry in refurnishing and development Deputy Industry Minister Mohsen demands. of the industry as an important instru- Salehinia announced on January 23 that Iran offers tremendous opportunities ment for economic growth. contracts with foreign automakers will on paper; with a population of around Later in January 24, Farhad Par- gradually enter the execution phase in a 80 million, Iran has well-set agricultur- varesh, Chairman and Managing Direc- month. He described the latest status of al and manufacturing industries which tor of Iran Air, referred to the resump- signing new deals with foreign automak- contribute to its $400 billion economy. tion of refueling at airports in Western ers as well as the government’s policy Iran’s biggest business partner is Chi- Europe following the lifting of interna- in supervising them; “vehicle contracts na, which contributed expressively after tional sanctions maintaining “sanctions are not excluded from other industry European countries withdrew due to had imposed great costs on Iranian air- sectors and extensive negotiations have sanctions. Most of Iran’s biggest - part liners to the extent that 15 to 17 thou- been held to provide optimized condi- ners are from Asia including the United sand dollars were spent on fuel in each tions in final agreements.” Arab Emirates, South Korea, Japan and flight.” Salehinia enumerated the provi- India| Cover Story Page 10 |No. 3| February 2016 MEHR NEWSAGENCY President Rouhani’s historic visit to Europe sees higher profits By: Lachin Rezaian

President Rouhani kicked off his first post-sanction Euro trip to Italy and France on January 25, in a bid to drum up economic and business opportunities for the country.

Tehran-Rome and Tehran-Paris rela- tions have gone through many ups and downs in the past, especially after the imposition of West and US illegal sanc- tions against the Islamic Republic of Iran. In his first European trip, Rouhani and his 120-strong delegation of business leaders and ministers, seek to provide the grounds and a wide range of oppor- tunities to foster cooperation between Iran and European countries under the so-called landmark agreement JCPOA, officially came into effect on 16 January. On his first stop on a five-day Euro- Italy’s Minister of Agricultural, Food and crisis underway in the region and the pean trip, President Rouhani arrived in Forestry Policies inked a Memorandum role of religions in promoting peace and Rome on Monday, January 25, and was of Understanding (MoU) in the field of avoidance of violence and extremism. initially greeted by Italian Foreign Minis- plant protection, according to which the They called all countries to work in a col- ter Paolo Gentiloni at the international two countries agree to expand scientif- lective attempt to establish peace across Rome Ciampino Airport and then was ic, research and practical collaborations the globe. officially welcomed by Italian President in the areas of supervision, prevention During the last hours of Iranian del- Sergio Mattarella. and control of pests and to exchange egation’s stay in Italy, President Rouhani Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani and of expertise and experience, as well as, held a meeting with Iranians in the Euro- Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi at- facilitation of trade of agricultural and pean country and made remarks regard- tended a presse conference on January horticultural crops through effective ing Iran’s significant role in combating 26 exchanging views on, and covering and efficient communication between terrorism in the region, Iranian’s resil- a wide range of issues, including the regulatory and quarantine agencies of ience against Western illegally imposed capacity of extensive bilateral coopera- the two sides. sanctions and Leader’s helpful guidance tion between Tehran and Rome, unfair Iranian President attended Iran-Ita- during insufferable days of nuclear ne- anti-Iran sanctions hindering the devel- ly business forum in Rome on Tuesday, gotiations. He also attended a press con- opment of bilateral ties, Iran’s highly January 27, to discuss ways to boost ference during which he underlined Iran significant situation in terms of secu- bilateral trade after JCPOA implementa- would pursue close relations with Italy rity, energy, human resources, human tion in Rome and to look for paving the in line with the 14 MoUs which were development and geopolitics and Iran’s way for further and better economic, signed by the two sides’ top-ranked of- diplomacy as the best way to sustaina- scientific and cultural cooperation- be ficials in scientific, transport and tech- ble peace. tween the two countries. nology fields. On January 26, both sides signed the Rouhani underlined during the meet- Iran’s CBI governor also met and contracts in Rome late Monday which ing that, “We wish to have at least talked with Guido Rosa, member of the was worth up to 17 billion euros ($18.4 30 percent of our products exported Committee of the ABI Presidency for in- billion) in sectors from energy to infra- abroad.” ternational relations. structure and from steel to shipbuilding Mr. Rouhani also met with Pope Fran- Marking the end of President Rou- and healthcare. cis in Vatican and touched upon Iran’s hani’s trip to Italy, The Islamic Republic On the same day, Iranian Minister of nuclear deal with west and its recent of Iran and the Republic of Italy issued a Agriculture Mahmoud Hojjati and his implementation, Middle East devel- joint statement and determined a road- Italian counterpart Maurizio Martina, opments, the political solutions to the map of development of Tehran-Rome » Cover Story Page 11 |No. 3| February 2016 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

health, and agriculture between private sectors. French prime minister noted that sanctions on Iran’s economy inflict- ed most damage to French economy. Rouhani and his French counter- part Francois Hollande attended a joint press conference at the Elysee Palace early Thursday January 28 and ex- changed views on taking advantage of post-sanction conditions in order to -ex pand joint cooperation and compensate for the lost opportunities. On Thursday evening, Rouhani sat down for talks with Hollande and oversaw the signing of over 20 memorandums of understand- ing in various sectors, including tele- communications, environment, tourism, agriculture, higher education and trans- ties in political, economic, cultural, tour- the French company. portation. ism, scientific, and technological fields Iranian private firm and France’s Ax- Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Line on January 27. ens Group also inked an MoU over buy- (IRISL) and French CMA-CGM Shipping On second leg of his European trip, ing required catalysts for petrochemical signed an agreement on January 28, President Rouhani arrived in Paris on and refinery complexes, and agreed to extending cooperation into areas of ex- Wednesday, January 28 and was official- cooperate under a common brand in or- change of container space, organizing ly welcomed by Laurent Fabius, French der to meet domestic needs as well as joint services in international shipping Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Les Invalid to exports joint productions to regional lines, and trade of containers in lines Palace of Paris. countries. which would benefit both sides’ mutual President Rouhani held a meeting On January 28, President Rouhani interests. with Iranians in Paris discussing several and Manuel Carlos Valls, French Prime The European visit was Rouhani’s first regional and international issues, and Minister, attended Iran-France eco- foreign trip after the nuclear deal- be also with representatives and managers nomic session held with other French tween Tehran and the Group 5+1 took of French business tycoons and great businessmen and cabinet members to effect on January 16. industry managers discussing the eco- improve relations of both public and Delighted over Euro tours economic nomic opportunities in Paris on same private sectors of economy in the two and political achievements, Rouhani evening. countries which was is a good start to underlined his visit to Europe marks During the high-profile event, where extend political relations and consol- a “new spring” in his country’s rela- the heads of Total, Airbus, Orange, Peu- idate trade in line with common eco- tionship with the European Union that geot Citroen, and other great indus- nomic interests. should help thaw tensions after years tries were attending, Dr. Rouhani said In the meeting, Iran and France of Western sanctions over Iran’s nu- Iran welcomes French participation in signed three MoUs in automaking, clear program| its economic sectors which will provide safe profits and receive guarantees. Emmanuel Macron, French Minister of Economy, Industry and Digital Affairs expressed the willingness of France’s all great companies active in economic infrastructure, airport, railroad, and en- ergy sectors to participate in Iran’s stra- tegic and regional markets. Afterwards, President Rouhani had a meeting with Director-General of UNES- CO Irina Bokova, Total CEO Patrick Pouy- anné, Tom Enders and Chief Executive Officer of Airbus Group. Iran and France sealed a new oil con- tract in Paris following the recent agree- ment between the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) and France’s Total on selling 150 to 200 barrels of crude oil to Cover Story Page 12 |No. 3| February 2016 MEHR NEWSAGENCY A New Chapter in Diplomacy By: Mohammad Javad Zarif how to achieve the mechanisms for Iran and other influential countries to- ex Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad pand their cooperation based on shared Zarif says the unique opportunity for interests and the need to confront the interaction and cooperation should not common threats. be missed today. Indeed, Europe and Iran have com- mon interests in several areas. In light of President Rouhani’s recent visit to their historical and traditional bilateral Italy and France marked the historic relations as well as other positive sourc- beginning of a new season of econom- es, such as the existence of complemen- ic, political, and cultural cooperation tary economies, mutually-beneficial cal solution in Syria has been generated beneficial to both sides, after roughly a cooperation in the fields of energy and and the European countries can play decade of being interrupted. Italy and technology, cultures of Indo-European an effective role in this connection to France, as two pillars and founders of languages, and other long-standing cul- strengthen and sustain this process. the European Union as well as tradition- tural connections, their sustained coop- Also, confronting the roots and man- al bridges between the West and the eration with each other is guaranteed. ifestations of structural violence and Middle East, have often had construc- In addition, through both collective and the effects of extremism, including the tive relationship with Iran, although at bilateral mechanisms, it is possible to fight against poverty and economic in- times this relationship has experienced actively pursue the struggle against the equality, promoting the mechanisms ups and downs and even passing crises, important threats such as terrorism, vi- for democracy, avoiding the violent and still the desire of both sides to overcome olence, extremism, drug trafficking, and sectarian conflicts, and opposing unilat- the problems and fix the difficulties- re the like. eral military actions, these are impor- flects their deep connections. The missing link alongside economic tant foreign priorities that can help re- Even though the unnecessary so- and technological cooperation, which store the stability of the Middle East and called nuclear “crisis” and the intrusion should generate sufficient attention, the European Union can definitely play a of certain third parties created some is the necessity for the two sides to in- positive role in this framework. interruptions in the traditional relations crease cooperation in the fight against Security can never be achieved in between Iran and Europe, both the warm violence and extremism and to quickly expense of insecurity for the others. welcome for President Rouhani, the var- restore peace and stability in the Middle No nation can truly pursue its interests ious and serious high ranking meetings East; the lack of sufficient attention to without taking into consideration the that transpired during this trip, as well this is a threat to both Iran and Europe. interests of others. No one can com- as the important agreements that were Iran, as a country located in the heart bat Al-Qaeda and its ideological sib- reached, represent the restoration of of the Middle East and Europe as an im- lings, such as the so-called Islamic State, economic relations and cooperation in mediate neighbor of the region, share le- which is neither a state nor Islamic, in all energy, technology, political, cultural, gitimate concerns about the continuation Iraq while effectively assisting their- ex and even security fields. of hostilities and bloodshed in the region, pansion in Yemen or Syria. In this regard, Also, President Rouhani’s meeting with especially the crisis of displaced persons in European countries by encouraging oth- Pope Francis, marked a mutual commit- three countries — Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. er countries in the Middle East to accept ment to join efforts to create a World Iran for quite some time has pro- a political solution for this crisis play a Against Violence and Extremism (WAVE). posed and updated two four-point pro- positive role in the region. To recall, in September 2013, newly-elect- posals to solve the current crises in Syria A final word: the world community that ed President Rouhani made this initiative and Yemen, a large part of which have includes Iran and Europe cannot afford to at the UN General Assembly as a key for- been incorporated in Security Council avoid addressing the root causes of insta- eign policy agenda of Iran; the General resolution 2254. The common points bility in the Middle East any longer. At the Assembly adopted this initiative by con- of these plans include an immediate same time, this presents a unique oppor- sensus and thus sparked the hope for cre- cease-fire, humanitarian assistance to tunity for interaction and cooperation that ating a prudent global campaign to fight the non-combatants, facilitating dia- should not be missed. Peace and stability the menace of terrorism and extremism. logue among the groups from inside of is the fundamental need of civilization in On a broader level, from ancient the country and guiding them to form the Middle East, Europe, and indeed the times Europe and Iran have been each inclusive government of national unity – world. In today’s interconnected world other’s civilizational neighbors. With the that would have the potential to restore marked with growing mutual interde- start of the implementation of the nu- peace and stability to the region. pendence, this is not a choice, rather it is clear agreement, which has put an end After the Vienna 1 and 2 and the New an inescapable necessity. to unnecessary decade-old tensions, it York talks on Syria, and the adoption of is now time to focus on more important UN Security Council Resolution 2254, a Mohammad Javad Zarif is Foreign matters, above all a common search on proper momentum toward a just politi- Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran| Cover Story Page 13 |No. 3| February 2016 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

All OPEC members face challenges over fall in oil revenue Interview by Lachin Rezaian

An international oil and energy timated to be greater than 3 billion bar- The answer to the question ‘whether consultant and analyst said the policy rels and this is putting downward pres- the price of oil has reached the bottom’ of curtailing oil price has had serious sure on the price of oil. Price could begin depends on OPEC policy. Will the Organ- consequences for OPEC member to improve when the market begins to ization curtail its production in the com- countries themselves, all suffering use the stored oil and this could only ing months, or will it continue to over- financially as their oil revenues have happen when the world oil supply-de- produce. The OPEC production policy has fallen by more than half. mand balance is reversed, i.e. the flow resulted in the collapse of the price of of supply into the world market becomes oil and the low price has caused the re- Manouchehr Takin underlined OPEC less than the demand for oil. Unfortu- duction of oil production outside OPEC, decision makers are facing a dilemma: nately, supply is still much greater than as was noted above. There has also been whether and for how long should the demand, though there are some hopeful cancellation of more than $200 bn of Organization continue its policy and if it indications. oil industry investment in field projects does, will it succeed to force out more Let us look at some details using the around the world. This will result in lower non-OPEC producers out of the market? information from OPEC Secretariat. On oil production in non-OPEC areas in the “This is by no means certain,” he added. the demand side, the growth is expected future. In fact these were the expecta- Following the fall of oil prices, OPEC to continue. World oil demand increased tions of OPEC ministers when they decid- member countries have all faced budget by about 1 million barrels per day (mbpd) ed not to limit their own oil output when deficits, have drastically cut government in 2014, by about 1.6 mbpd in 2015 and they met in Vienna in November 2014. expenditure and are experiencing seri- is estimated to increase by about 1.3 However, they had expected much more ous economic slow-down or recession mbpd in 2016. Please note that the IEA rapid response to their policy and a more with growing unemployment, Takin un- (International Energy Agency) data differ drastic fall in production outside OPEC. derlined. slightly from OPEC. They are 1.8 mbpd In spite of this relative success for cur- In an exclusive interview with Mehr for 2015 and 1.2 mbpd for 2016. These tailing non-OPEC production, one should News, Mr. Takin answered the questions differences will be clarified as both the note that the policy has had serious con- regarding the issue: OPEC Secretariat and the IEA receive sequences for OPEC member countries more up-to-date information in the com- themselves. All have been suffering finan- uOil prices continue declining slowly. ing months. However, they show that cially as their oil revenues have fallen by Do you think they have reached the the fall in price resulted in higher oil con- more than half. They have all had budget bottom, or we should wait for the next sumption in 2015 relative to 2014, but by deficits, have drastically cut government negative record this year? 2016 there will be a more ‘usual’ growth expenditure and are experiencing serious Some analysts (e.g. Goldman Sachs in world oil demand. economic slow-down or recession with Bank) have suggested that the price of On the supply side, the growth of oil growing unemployment. These and other oil (Brent reference price) could go down production outside OPEC slowed down in problems are faced by all OPEC countries. to $20 per barrel ($/bbl). Others are less 2015. It was more than 2 million mbpd in The ‘rich’ like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait pessimistic, believing that the price of 2014 but was reduced to about 1 mbpd and Qatar had significant financial reserves about $36/bbl is the bottom of the cycle. in 2015. For 2016 non-OPEC production but their reserves are dwindling and some Let me explain. is actually expected to decline by about have been forced to take domestic and The supply of oil flowing into the 0.4 mbpd. However, oil production from international loans. The consequences of world market is still 1 to 1.5 million bar- OPEC, in particular Saudi Arabia, has in- the policy have been more damaging and rels per day (mbpd) more than the de- creased. Total OPEC crude oil production even critical, for those OPEC countries mand. More importantly, the oil market was 30.2 mbpd in 2013 and 30.1 mbpd in with less foreign exchange reserves, large has been experiencing this excess supply 2014, but it has gradually been increas- populations, low per capita income and condition since late 2014 and the extra ing in 2015. It was 31.6 mbpd in the third high dependence on oil. For them, the fall oil supply has been gradually filling the quarter. In fact the production increase in oil revenue has been critical and many storage spaces around the world and by OPEC has been the main factor which are facing challenging economic and social even a large number of oil tankers are brought the Brent price from $115/bbl in problems. used for storing oil, anchored at sea or at June 2014 to less than $36/bbl in Decem- One could describe the situation as a ports. The total volume of oil stocks is es- ber 2015. stand-off between OPEC and non-OPEC. » Cover Story Page 14 |No. 3| February 2016 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

Who is going to blink first and how long price? How Iran’s presence will affect alised and the developing countries. On could OPEC endure? There has been the market? the other hand, the low price has been great pressure from within OPEC – many The market has already been expect- damaging to the economy of oil export- member countries have been pressing ing an increase of Iranian oil exports ing countries as was discussed above. for a change in policy. In the similar cas- and that this will begin soon. The current Of course many are surviving the low es of oil price collapse (1986 and 1998- low price is partly due to this expecta- revenue conditions with belt-tightening, 1999) there was pressure on Saudi Ara- tion. Large quantities of Iranian crude reducing expenditure and other public bia also from outside OPEC, especially oil are available for delivery on board policy undertakings. from the United States. This time this is tankers in the Persian Gulf and in other lacking and the public opinion in the US parts of the world. Iran can also increase uThe IEA said in a monthly report on and in the other oil importing countries its production by 0.5 mbpd within a few December that growth in demand for around the world is in favour of a low months and by another 0.5 mbpd soon oil will ease next year to 1.2 million price of oil. after. There are no serious technical con- barrels per day, from 1.8 million barrels Saudi Arabia and others prefer to con- straints in raising production. The limita- a day this year. Why many oil producing tinue until more non-OPEC competitors tions could most probably come from the countries, largely OPEC member states, are ‘forced out’. Although OPEC policy legal procedures for the actual lifting of do not reduce production through has been effective, its impact has not the sanctions on trading Iranian oil and coordinated efforts to raise prices? been sufficient to force non-OPEC pro- more importantly, on the international The larger increase in demand in 2015 ducers out of the market completely, at banking system and on Dollar transac- was due to the oil price collapse – from least not so far. In fact it could be argued tions related to Iran. However, most ob- about $115/bbl to less than $50/bbl. that the low price has made them more servers of the nuclear agreement believe Consumers could afford driving extra resilient (e.g. US shale oil producers). that additional Iranian oil will enter the miles and use more petroleum products. They have lowered their costs and their production could increase again once the price of oil begins to rise. The dilemma facing OPEC decision makers is whether and for how long should the Organization continue its policy and if it does, will it succeed to force out more non-OPEC producers out of the market? This is by no means certain. More importantly, it is also not certain if OPEC countries can survive a continuation of the drastic loss of their oil revenues. A likely scenario is that OPEC will agree to cut its production, probably sometime in 2016. As on the previous occasions, the Organisation would probably decide to defend a lower oil price than before the oil price world market by spring 2016 and will However, no more price effect is expect- collapse. It is also possible that some cause further downward pressure on the ed for world oil demand in 2016 and the non-OPEC producers would cut their price of oil. Iraqi oil exports are also con- growth relative to 2015 will be more from production in support of OPEC. The tinuing to increase with the progress of income effect, i.e. the growth of GDP. historical experience, however, sug- its field development projects. Improved In the current conditions of the world gests that this is less probable and in security conditions in Libya will result in market, supply has to be reduced for rais- any case it would be symbolic and in more oil exports from that country. One ing the price of oil, but no individual pro- small volumes. Mexico and Russia did could speculate that with all this addi- ducer is ready to cut its own production. not agree with this idea when they met tional oil, OPEC members will ultimately All world oil producers are losing revenue the Saudi and Venezuelan oil ministers reach an agreement on cutting their pro- and in theory they should all share the in November 2014 and there have been duction in defence of price. cut in production, though this is an inter- similar statements by non-OPEC pro- national issue, requiring diplomatic and ducers since then. uThe future of this trend is in favor of geopolitical effort and is by no means an what groups or countries? Is it beneficial easy task. At present OPEC is the only or- uIran is trying to lure back interna- to consumers or producers? What is ganised institution of oil exporters that tional oil companies to develop its vast the effect of this falling prices on the its members are in contact with each oil and gas reserves once sanctions are countries of Middle East, especially other and regularly meet and analyse lifted under a deal with world powers, Iran? the world oil market. In the past OPEC and recently lifting of four of them on The low price of oil is beneficial to all has cut its production in defence of price Iran’s petrochemical industry. Do you oil importing countries and final consum- and has also increased its production think it will have strong effect on the oil ers are happy everywhere – the industri- when price has been too high. At pres- » Cover Story Page 15 |No. 3| February 2016 MEHR NEWSAGENCY ent a major cut in production is required. production. Similarly some onshore pro- which shale and tight rock activity will be OPEC has to decide on a production ceil- jects are high cost. The fall in the price resumed or expanded - $50/bbl, $60/bbl ing for total OPEC and then allocate quo- of oil has adversely affected all high-cost or higher? For the major international oil tas to individual member countries. This, projects. However, an important point companies, it had been estimated that a however, has been described as ‘opening that should be emphasised is that the price of $104/bbl was required to cover a Pandora’s box’. The Islamic Republic of projects that had already been under their capital investments in 2014. This re- Iran will not be ready to cut its produc- development will be continued, espe- quirement has fallen to $81/bbl for 2015 tion, having suffered from the imposed cially those with a heavy front end cap- and is estimated to fall to $66/bbl for sanctions and a low level of oil exports ital expenditure and a long lead time 2016 (Wood Mackenzie, Financial Times in the past few years. Iran will try to com- (several years). When most of the heavy 28 December 2015). pensate for that loss. Iraq, though pres- investment has been committed and the These figures, though only approxi- ently enjoying an increased level of pro- projects are well advanced, they will be mate, nevertheless they strongly suggest duction, would argue that its oil exports completed and brought into production that with the improvement in the price of had suffered for decades due to wars and in spite of the fall in the price of oil. The oil, more supply will enter the market and international sanctions and will also try expenditure is treated as sunk cost. The price will not rise back to the $110/bbl - to compensate for that loss. Other mem- operating costs are usually much lower $120/bbl range. In other words, the entry ber countries will have similar arguments and production operations will -gener of new supply will provide a ‘cap’ for the and will demand Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, ate positive cash flow. Such projects will price of oil - say $60/bbl to $70/bbl. the UAE and Qatar to cut their produc- not be cancelled. This was an important Lastly, one should always remember tion. In particular, Saudi Arabia has been factor for the oil industry on the previ- that these discussions are based on a benefiting the most from the absence of ous occasions of oil price collapse (1986 continuation of the recent trends in the those countries and had been increasing and 1998). It is still true, but a significant world economy and politics. Unexpected its production. Other countries will argue number of oil field projects today have events, especially political turmoil could that it is only fair that Saudi Arabia cuts much shorter lead time, relatively less obliterate the oil market. In particular, its production more than others. capital cost but higher operating cost. sudden disruption of production -oper We should remember that price of oil These projects will most probably be ations will cause a spike in the price of has been determined by market forces cancelled as has already occurred in the oil that could be greater than the prices and the global supply and demand bal- case of oil from shale and tight rocks in suggested above. ance. In the past OPEC has acted with- the United States. The number of drilling in these constraints, has fine-tuned its rigs in this sector has fallen by more than Manouchehr Takin is an international oil production and has tried to defend its 50%. These projects have been more re- and energy consultant who worked with main source of national income and has sponsive to the fall in the price of oil, but the Centre for Global Energy Studies in also tried to stabilise the market. Tech- these operations could also be resumed London from its establishment in 1990 nological breakthrough and innovation and expanded if the price of oil increas- until the Centre closed in May 2014. He have increased world oil supply. These es, as noted in answer to question 1. had previously worked for nine years at were unexpected but were also inevita- These operators have made their opera- OPEC Secretariat in Vienna following ble. In addition, there have been major tions more efficient. There has also been a career in oil and mining industry developments, though more gradual, in a fall in the daily rates for rigs and other operations with Iran’s International Oil reducing the dependence on oil over the field services. Thus costs have fallen for Consortium, Amoco, Ultramar, National past decades. Consumption efficiency shale and tight rock oil and they would Iranian Oil Company, Shell, as well as has increased and there has also been need a lower oil price than in the past. the Geological Survey of Iran and Anglo substitution of oil by other energies in all There is no agreement on the price at American mining company| countries. The quantity of oil used to pro- duce one unit of GDP has fallen by 60% or more and this trend will continue. As oil exporters, we should be aware that the world demand for oil will not grow for ever and that we should reduce our dependence on oil. uWhat will be the effect of offshore development and rig building, having lower costs, on oil prices market and how it can be affected by current oil market situation? Generally the development cost of offshore fields is higher than onshore, though for individual projects costs vary over a wide range and no single figure could be given as the cost of offshore Politics Politics Page 17 |No. 3| February 2016 MEHR NEWSAGENCY American political analyst Colin S. Cavell: Revolution ongoing in until Al-Khalifa dictatorship ousted Interview by: Marjohn Sheikhi ernment; in other words, fundamentally, they oppose monarchy and wish to replace On the occasion of Bahrain Uprising it with some form of democracy where the 5th anniversary, American author and majority rule is the guiding principle of polit- professor of Political Science Dr. Cavell ical organization. Currently, not only is the believes the revolution is still ongoing ruling family part of a minority confessional in Bahrain and as the Bahraini people group – i.e. Sunni Muslims – in Bahrain, but, become more adept at revolutionary moreover, only the ruling Al Khalifas enjoy tactics they will eventually be successful sovereignty in and over Bahrain, its peoples, in achieving their stated democratic resources, land, etc. The numerous other goals. demands of the protestors derive directly from this one central demand, for without In February and March 2011, Bahrain sovereignty resting with the populace of experienced peaceful protests followed Bahrain, the country remains a prison na- by brutal government repression, leav- tion, where there is no freedom of speech, ing over 30 dead, with prominent oppo- rain since its eruption in February of 2011. no freedom of association, no freedom of sition leaders sentenced, Shia mosques Western media deliberately stereotypes conscience, no freedom of the press, and and other religious structures demolished much of the Arab world as hostile, violent, no freedom to petition the government for and many protesters faced dismissal from irrational, superstitious, and chaotic, as this a redress of grievances without fear of pun- jobs. Now five years later and on the occa- serves US hegemonic goals. Thus, if events ishment or reprisal. sion of the uprising anniversary, we have on the ground do not play into these west- reached Dr. Colin S. Cavell, a former Assis- ern-created narratives, motifs, characteriza- uWhat were the reasons Bahrain tant Professor at the University of Bahrain tions, or tropes, then the events are either became the one Arab country whose and currently Assistant Professor of Polit- downplayed or ignored and, hence, become uprising was suppressed? What is left of ical Science at Bluefield State College in a ‘non-story’. But, of course, the Al-Khalifa Bahrain’s uprising now? Bluefield, West Virginia, to tell us about regime, which rules in Bahrain and oppress- The geographic nature of Bahrain, be- the fate of the 2011 uprisings in Bahrain, es its peoples, did indeed resort to violence ing an island nation off the coast of Saudi as the one Arab country that called for – including mass arrests, torture, and killings Arabia in the Persian Gulf, limits outside in- reform but never quite achieved it. What – to suppress the uprising, actions which the tervention into the country from afar thus follows is Dr. Cavell’s interview with Mehr regime was heavily criticized for by the BICI making it easier for the Al Khalifa dictator- News Agency: Report [1]. But, because the ruling Al-Khal- ship to impose harsh penalties upon any- ifa dictatorship is a close ally of the United one challenging or critiquing their regime. uTwo aspects of 2011 Bahrain States Government (USG), the regime’s vio- Likewise, Bahrain’s proximity to Saudi Ara- Uprising sets it apart from the rest of lence is rarely focused on. bia, which, in effect, dictates, funds, and the Arab world; one is the fact that enforces the foreign policies of the other Bahrain’s uprising didn’t get quite as uWhat was the background for the Gulf monarchs compels the much smaller much attention as some of the other political and civil rights movement in Bahraini government to strictly adhere to Politics uprisings happening at the same time; Bahrain? Are the demands still the same KSA leadership, or else face the invasion and two is the peaceful nature of the or have they gone through changes in the of the KSA’s military forces, as head of protests which were then faced with past five years? the Gulf Cooperation Council’s Peninsula brutal government repression. Can Members of the Al-Khalifa family, as Shield Forces, as happened in March 2011 you elaborate on these two distinctive part of the Bani Utbah federation of Arab to clamp down on the Bahraini uprising. aspects? tribes which conquered Bahrain in 1783, The Al Khalifas have jailed all of the ma- The peaceful nature of the ‘Bahrain Up- have ruled in some form in the country jor opposition leaders, subjecting them to rising’, as you refer to it, is a consequence since 1797. Bahrain has thus arguably been torture and other abuses, while engaging of those individuals leading the struggle, as under monarchical rule for 233 years, and in a witch-hunt for individual supporters well as the generally benign nature of the therefore, the background of the ongoing of the opposition, subjecting them to Bahraini people. And precisely because of political and civil rights movement in Bah- torture, imprisonment, and sometimes the manner in which the un- rain can be traced directly to the lack of death, even for minor “crimes” such as folded in Bahrain – i.e. its peaceful nature – democratic rule in the country. Thus the tweeting their opposition to the regime. explains, in part, why the media, especially primary demand of the overwhelming ma- Sentiment remains very strong against the western media, did not focus much at- jority of the people of Bahrain is for a say in the Al Khalifa rule and flares up periodi- tention on the democratic uprising in Bah- the formation and functioning of their gov- cally in order to send a message to the re- » Politics Page 18 |No. 3| February 2016 MEHR NEWSAGENCY gime that the resistance is still very strong by the minority Sunni Al-Khalifs, this pre- leader Gamal Abdel Nasser in the 1960s, and resolute against monarchy. sumably gives the regime the green light external support for mujahideen terror- to target Shia activists, their mosques, ists to oust President Mohammad Najibul- uWhat are the conditions of the political gathering places, and to desecrate their lah of Afghanistan in the 1980s and 90s, prisoners currently held in Bahrain? religious symbols, history, culture, etc. direct support for the NATO bombing and Reports of the disproportionate usage While the regime discriminates against all Al Qaeda terrorists who assassinated Lib- of tear gas to suppress antigovernment Bahraini citizens, especially by virtue of the yan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi in 2011, demonstrations since 2011 have been fact that most are prohibited from joining the backing of General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi widespread. Reports of unlawful deten- the armed forces, as the Al-Khalifas rely pre- to overthrow the democratically-elected tions and interrogations of suspected ac- dominantly on foreign national mercenaries government of Mohamed Morsi in Egypt tivists continue till today, along with the to comprise their security forces, the regime in 2013, or current efforts to overthrow jailing and torture of suspected activists. takes extraordinary efforts to discriminate the duly-elected government of President Former president and co-founder of the against Shia citizens, preventing many from Bashar al-Assad of Syria, which include Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) being hired or promoted within the busi- support for the terrorist group ISIL, allow- Abdul-Hadi Al-Khawaja, Human Rights ac- ness community or in government jobs, ing it to infiltrate Syrian territory and wage tivist, Professor Abduljalil Abdulla al-Sin- thus creating an additional wedge in the brutal and bloody warfare against the Syr- gace, Democratic Action Society (Wa’ad) class structure based upon religious divi- ian population backed up by a US-direct- General Secretary Ibrahim Sharif, Haq sion and confessional preference. ed bombing campaign from the air, all of Movement leader , Sec- these examples – and many more too nu- retary-General of the Al-Wefaq political uIs revolution still ongoing in Bahrain? merous to list here – have taught the peo- society, Sheikh and many, many What do you think will be the future of it? ples of the Middle East that whatever op- other political leaders have been jailed and If we understand revolution as the position they may face in their countries, tortured in Bahrain for a number of years overthrow of the existing social and polit- it invariably never compares to the steady now, deprived of medical care, subject- ical system, usually by violence, though and directed opposition coming from the ed to sleep deprivation and other forms possibly revolution through the ballot, imperial hegemon the United States of of manipulation and intimidation. - For then we may say that, at present, the America. Thus in order to counter the US eign journalists, non-governmental (NGO) primary form of the Bahraini revolution, policy of ‘divide and conquer’, the peoples members, politicians, trade unionists, aid has been one mainly of peaceful protests, of the Arab world and the Middle East in workers, and activists, including the United non-violent civil resistance, and vocaliza- general must perfect the policy of ‘unite Nations special rapporteur on torture, Juan tion of democratic demands. Are these in order to prevail’ to counter this on- Mendez, have been denied access to Bah- actions still ongoing? Yes, of course, and slaught of external intervention into their rain’s political prisoners, actions which are they will continue as long as the Al-Khal- territorial integrity and sovereign affairs. clear violations of international law. And ifa dictatorship remains entrenched in within the last couple of years, the Bahraini power. As for the future of the Bahraini Dr. Colin S. Cavell, an American regime has increased its cruel practice of revolution, history has demonstrated that author who earned his Doctorate of punishing suspected opposition activists oppressive dictators never last forever Philosophy degree in Political Science by revoking their citizenship, thus making and, eventually, with time and effort, are from the University of Massachusetts at these folks – and by extension, their fam- overthrown and ousted. As the Bahraini Amherst is currently Assistant Professor ilies – stateless on an island nation, an ac- people become more skilled and adept at of Political Science at Bluefield State tion which is also contrary to international revolutionary tactics and strategy, eventu- College in Bluefield, West Virginia and law. The regime can literally kill you with ally, they, too, will be successful in achiev- Adjunct Professor of Political Science impunity, because legally you do not exist! ing their stated democratic goals. at Holyoke Community College in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Dr. Cavell is u u What were the demands of the Shia What do you think is the greatest also a member of the American Political majority during the Bahrain Uprising? threat to Arab democracy? Political Science Association (APSA) and the Were they mostly political, social or fragmentation and immaturity, lack Massachusetts Community College economic? What are the discriminations of strong institutions, Arab dictators, Council (MCCC). He is a former Assistant practiced by the monarchy against them? economic challenges, or the US? Bahrain, so far, has practiced a policy of At present, the greatest threat to Arab Professor at the University of Bahrain| divide and conquer with its domestic op- or Middle Eastern democracy, as recent position, suggesting to the international past history has clearly demonstrated, has [1] The Bahrain Independent Commission community that the domestic opposition been imperial interference either from Inquiry (BICI) report, headed up by Professor M. Cherif Bassiouni, an Emeritus Professor within Bahrain has been stirred up and the United States in particular or the Unit- of Law from DePaul University in Chicago, financed externally by Iran, whom they ed Kingdom to a lesser degree. Whether Illinois in the USA, had previously led Unit- accuse of supporting Bahraini Shia activ- such intervention comes in the form sim- ed Nations investigations into alleged war ists. This policy, of course, flies in the face ilar to the 1953 US overthrow of Iranian crimes in Bosnia and Libya. Bassiouni was of the fact that much of the domestic op- Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh tasked by Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa bin position in Bahrain, including some of the by the Central Intelligence Agency, CIA Salman Al Khalifa to look into the political opposition political leaders, like Ibrahim efforts supporting the 1963 coup d’etat unrest that occurred in Bahrain and report Sharif, are Sunni confessionalists them- against Iraqi leader Abd al-Karim Qasim, on them, but only for the period of unrest selves. Having their reputations tarnished US and CIA efforts to counter Egyptian lasting from February to March, 2011. Politics Page 19 |No. 3| February 2016 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

Bahraini activist Yousif Al-Muhafdah: in 2011 and I was one of them, we called for democracy; one month later Saudi and UAE troops came to my country and attacked Saudi, UAE enemy of democracy the protesters and their message was that democracy is not allowed in our region.” According to Amnesty International, af- in Persian Gulf states ter the five years since the uprising, “hopes for progress on human rights and accounta- bility for past and present abuses have fad- ed.” Al-Muhafdah describes the conditions of the political prisoners currently held in Bahraini jails as “lack of treatment, solitary confinement, torture, violation against ba- sic right, and collective punishment.” “The demands of the Shia majority dur- ing the Bahrain Uprising were mostly politi- cal as they were calling for an elected gov- ernment, freedom, basic human rights, the release of political detainees, and an end to discrimination,” said Al-Muhafdah of the current condition of the Shia population in Bahrain and the government’s discrimina- tion against them; “since the king of Bahrain assumed power, the discrimination against the Shia became worse than ever; they are not allowed to work in army or in the police department. They are not allowed to work in the Ministry of Intelligence, Foreign Af- fairs and many other sensitive government Interview by: Marjohn Sheikhi movement in Bahrain. “There are groups ministries. The Al-Khalifa kingdom has also which want the monarchy to remain and demolished 37 Shia mosques which is a kind BCHR Vice-President Said Yousif Al- other groups which are pushing with their of blatant discrimination against them.” Muhafdah says the reason the 2011 demands that the ruling family leave the But is revolution still ongoing in Bahrain? democratic uprising in Bahrain was power, but we as human rights activists do Al-Muhafdah says yes, although the pro-de- crushed was the opposition of Saudi Arabia not care which government background is mocracy movement is facing many challeng- and UAE to democracy in the Persian Gulf ruling as long as they respect human rights es; “in our case in Bahrain, we have had a region, as well as US and UK hypocrisy. and implement justice.” strong civil society since 1960 but as I said, What in fact sets the 2011 Bahrain Up- we are facing the Persian Gulf countries which Inspired by the widespread ‘Arab Spring’ rising apart from the rest of the Arab world are against democracy in Bahrain, as well as movements in countries across the Middle is the fact that Bahrain’s uprising didn’t get the US and UK which have military interest in East, Bahraini anti-regime protesters on 14 quite as much attention as some of the oth- Bahrain are also against an elected, democrat- February 2011 took to the streets in the er uprisings happening at the same time, ic government in the island nation.” small Persian Gulf monarchy in a series of and also the peaceful nature of the protests “These Western countries call for de- protests against the ruling Al-Khalifa family. which were then faced with brutal govern- mocracy in Syria and other countries but The mass protests were violently broken up ment repression. Al-Muhafdah elaborates not in Bahrain and other oil-rich countries by government security forces, with dozens on these two distinctive aspects, “well, we that are buying their weapons. This is what of protesters killed and hundreds jailed. are in Bahrain victims of having been born I call blatant hypocrisy,” he said of the great- In the five years since the uprising, Bah- in an oil-rich country and region, and as a est threat to Arab democracy. raini activist Said Yousif Al-Muhafdah told result, governments do not want to up- Mehr News Agency that the pro-democra- set the Saudi regime and many media are Said Yousif AlMuhafdah is the Vice President cy movement, although quieter now, is still owned by the Persian Gulf governments, of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, a ongoing while the widespread crackdown especially the Arab media and other West- non-profit organization based in Bahrain against peaceful activists continues. ern media with economic relations to them, and Denmark. Having worked as the Head Said Yousif Al-Muhafdah who serves as but even with all this complication, we suc- of Documentation in Bahrain from 2007 the Vice President of the Bahrain Center ceeded in telling the world what is going on to 2013, he has been arrested on many for Human Rights, a non-profit organization in Bahrain.” occasions and spent several months in prison based in Bahrain and Denmark, has himself “Of course, when we talk about my peo- on political charges. In the spring of 2014, been a target of arbitrary arrests and tor- ple’s struggle for democracy, we have to re- Sayed Yousif went into exile in Germany, ture for his human rights work in Bahrain member that we are not only fighting Bah- following continuous judicial harassment and exiled to Germany as a result. raini government but all the other Persian and threats to his life. Currently living in “People are fighting for their basic hu- Gulf countries except Oman,” said Al-Mu- Berlin with his family, he continues to work man rights, justice, democracy and free- hafdah on the reasons Bahrain became the as a human rights defender, promoting dom,” Mr. Al-Muhafdah says of the back- one Arab country whose uprising was sup- awareness throughout Europe about issues ground for the political and civil rights pressed. “When we went out in the street in Bahrain| Politics Page 20 |No. 3| February 2016 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Tunisian political analyst Rawa Kassem: ‘US tried in vain to defeat Tunisian Revolution’ Interview by: Mohammad Mazhari & with regard to freedom for Tunisian cit- Mohammad Hossein Azari izens. Unfortunately, over the recent Referring to Tunisia’s political and months, Neda Tunis as the country’s security situation after the 2011 main political party has been dealing Revolution, a Tunisian political analyst with political conflicts instead of fo- reiterated that the US has failed in cusing on major problems like youth defeating the movement. unemployment. In my viewpoint, the massive protests held in recent weeks The Islamic awakening movement mark a warning to government author- (aka the ‘Arab Spring’) was a revolu- ities that another revolution might take tionary wave of demonstrations and place in an unexpected moment. protests, riots, and civil wars in the Arab world that began on 18 Decem- uHow would you evaluate ber 2010 in Tunisia with the Tunisian world powers’ (including the US) Revolution and other Arab states. administrations made during the Almost five years ago, thousands five years can be divided into several Tunisian Revolution? Did they offer of Tunisians protestors, thronged to parts; the first category pertains to de- slow or inadequate response to the President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, the velopments of the economy and eco- revolution? country’s fugitive dictator who had nomic growth and the second to the I would like to point out an impor- ruled Tunisia since 1987, in an act of changes in the security situation. With tant issue. Although Tunisia achieved defiance that would ripple across the regard to economic issues, it can be great achievements after the revo- Arab world and form a democratic gov- said that after the overthrow of the for- lution in 2011, some anomalies and ernment arising from the votes of the mer dictator, Tunisian authorities failed challenges emerged in various areas in nation. to offer any new economic gains for the country. After the revolution, we Now, five years have passed since the youth in the country. Figures and found ourselves in front of so many the revolution in Tunisia and during statistics clearly indicate that the rate foreign countries such as the US. The the period, numerous challenges have of unemployment has increased from American government has always tried faced the country in economic, securi- 12 to 15 per cent over the previous to apply various policies and strategies ty and partly political areas. years. Moreover, the rate of economic to challenge the traditional and historic In recent weeks, wide protests have growth in the early years of the Tuni- role of France in Tunisia. Some existing been held against the policies of Tuni- sian Revolution has been below 15 per information suggests that America’s sia in some provinces including al-Qa- cent. Regarding the security situation, most important goal is to establish a srain. The protests have spread to the the country is facing more challeng- military base in North Africa for greater capital of the country, Tunis. In re- es after the revolution. In my opinion mobility in the region. sponse to the events, Beji Caid Essebsi, the only achievement of the Tunisian the Tunisian President, has deemed it revolution has been observance of uWhat do you think of the future of as the people’s natural right to protest ‘freedom’; freedom that became more the revolution? against government policies adding prominent, especially in the field of Tunisians have proven to be able to “ISIL terrorists will no doubt exploit the media. After the Tunisian revolution, endure all the hardships of post-revolu- recent unrest in the country.” freedom of expression turned into the tion. They saved the country from civil In an exclusive interview with Mehr main elements of the constitution. war by adopting the policy of ‘reconcil- News, the Tunisian analyst Rawa Kass- iation’. You know very well that what em answered the questions regarding uIs the revolution over? Has it happened in Tunisia is totally different the latest developments in Tunisia and reached its ultimate objectives? Has from what is now underway in Syria, the political and security situation in the Tunisian Revolution lived up to Libya and other countries. I believe the country: expectations? that Tunisia, with its civilized history, Five years after the fall of Zine el-Abi- The Tunisian Revolution is not over can breeze past all the problems and dine Ben Ali, is Tunisia better off or and it hasn’t fulfilled all its aims. As difficulties arriving at ‘beach of peace about the same? Has the political and mentioned previously, various diffi- and quiet.’ security situation in the country experi- culties have emerged in the field of enced changes and developments? economy over the past five years. In uWhat do you think is the greatest The changes in Tunisia over the past contrast, good events have taken place threat to Arab democracy? Political » Politics Page 21 |No. 3| February 2016 MEHR NEWSAGENCY fragmentation and immaturity, lack ing problems and crises and can effi- of Tunisia turned into the ultimate of strong institutions, Arab dictators, ciently make use of these strategies. request of the people. United States economic challenges, or the US? In my opinion, failed schemes cannot of America fully came to realize that It is true that what is currently hap- be used again. In addition, it is also the war against Tunisia would be very pening in the Arab world is resulting necessary to note that the situation costly similar to the policy adopted from the chaos scenario proposed by in Tunisia is much better compared to towards Iraq. Therefore, the US opt- America’s former secretary of state, the disastrous situation of neighbors. ed for a different strategy to stifle the but we should deny the rich history of In general, compared to many Arabic voice of Tunisian people in the bud. tyranny in Arabic countries. Uniform countries, the situation in Tunisia is political scene in many countries has better in terms of unemployment and uWhat is the biggest challenge of led young people to the streets in pro- poverty. I personally believe that the post-revolution rebuilding in Tunisia? test and in pursuit of their wishes. In West is in need of a resolution to the The biggest challenge facing Tunisia many Arabic countries, there exist rav- crisis in Tunisia since any threat to the is establishment of a strategic trans- ages of the economic situation while Tunisian security exerts a direct effect formation in the country’s economic the country’s wealth remains in the on Europe’s security. and political fields. Policies need to hands of tyrants. However, the projects be adopted that would not end up in of foreign countries were implemented uWas the Tunisian Revolution more demonstrations of thousands of young in the Arabic countries and the emerg- about political freedoms or economic Tunisians in protest against unemploy- ing revolutions in these countries have issues or both? ment. Perhaps the most important been replaced by foreign plots. Popular uprising in Tunisia initially challenge is how to increase the eco- set out to achieve economic growth nomic growth rate to around 6 per uDo you esteem that the Tunisia is in in the country. Gradually, over the cent a year. Other future challenges in need of a “Marshall Plan”; particularly, course of time, the demands of protes- Tunisia include application of strategies with regard to the recent protests tors from the former dictator increased to tackle unemployment as well as the against unemployment? until they called for serious political re- complete destruction of terrorism. The Marshall Plan is a Western form in areas like freedom and democ- plot and Tunisia is a traditional and racy. After some external interventions Rawa Kassem is a Tunisian political deep-rooted country. Tunisia possess- suppressed the demands of the peo- analyst who writes columns for al-Ahd es various strategies to resolve ongo- ple, overthrow of the former dictator news agency| Politics Page 22 |No. 3| February 2016 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

Islamic world, it is linked to Saudi Arabian Velayati: ideologically. Some scholars who are affiliated to Saudi Arabia are funded by the kingdom Iran to solve Saudi issue to propagate extremism and also terror- ize and kill opponents of the regime un- der an Islamic cover and this has pushed from position of strength the world public opinion to take stance against Saudi Arabia. The New York Times recently confirmed this in an article, say- ing that “ISIL [terrorist group] traces its origin to Saudi Arabia” and Western offi- cial and their media outlets accused Saudi Arabia as the fountainhead of Islamic ex- tremism in the world. Saudi Arabia from the perspective of Western public opinion is condemned and ISIL has been defeated in Syria, Iraq and Yemen. They have been defeated in the battel fields and the delusions of grandeur that the Saudi regime had assumed for it- self now has practically been shattered. Before the Saudi aggression against Yem- en, everybody considered Saudi Arabia as the Islamic world’s top power; a power that has a determining and pivotal role [in the region’s developments] and that all The head of Strategic Research Center the international developments hinge should obey the monarchy. said Iran tries to resolve issues with Saudi upon the regional developments. Saudi The Saudis presumed that they could Arabia from the position of power. Arabia has always played a fundamental make the Yemeni people yield to their de- role in creating chaos in the region. Ms. mands by attacking Yemen and resorting “Saudi Arabia has been defeated in [Benazir] Bhutto during her tenure as [Pa- to merciless [airstrikes]. This is why they Iraq, Yemen and Syria and its delusions kistan’s] prime minister, when all coun- are relentlessly destroying this Islamic and of grandeur has been shattered. Waves tries shrugged off responsibility about rise ancient country and killing its people. For of the Islamic Awakening were steadily of Taliban, said that we alone should not this reason, the Saudis are condemned by infiltrating into Saudi Arabia and [there- blame for the rise of Taliban and the US, the Islamic world’s public opinion. fore] they were back to violence to stop England and Saudi Arabia should also be The Saudis knew that the execution of possible public dissidence as it is impor- blame for it; the Britons schemed [to cre- a cleric [Shiekh Nimr al-Nimr] who only tant to them not to face instability inside ate Taliban], the Americans provided mil- criticized them verbally would have after- the country,” Ali Akbar Velayati said in an itary support and the Saudis took care of effects, but by doing so they were seeking interview with Basirat News & Analysis the financial support. As Bhutto acknowl- to change the game and prioritize other Website. edged this in an interview as an official issues. Therefore, they killed him and has The following is the full text of the in- and also other reasons that confirm the no explanation for no country has such a terview: issue, Saudi Arabia has [long] been playing principle to agree that a religious leader to a destructive role in the region. Al-Qaeda, be executed in the worst of manner. uIt seems that Riyadh’s attempts to which was also an extremist Salafi group, sever its bilateral diplomatic ties with was created by the Saudis after the Tali- uHow do you see the Saudi regime’s Tehran comes at a time when we are ban militant group. Based on this, Saudi provocative act to cease diplomatic approaching the day of implementation Arabia has infiltrated into many religious ties with Iran as we are approaching of Vienna 1 and 2 agreements over the centers in Islamic countries in order to implementation days of the Joint political solution of the Syrian crisis. Do promote Salafist ideology which has led Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) you believe that the move by Riyadh to the creation of [Takfiri terrorist groups between Tehran and six world powers is aimed at derailing the international including] al-Nusra Front, Jaish al-Islam as well as the Syrian peace talks? Do you peace-making efforts to resolve the (army of Islam), Jiash al-Horr, Boko Har- this happened quite by accident? Syrian crisis? What is the Saudi regime am and similar groups in the West, China, No, because they [the Saudis] were looking for by such provocations? Caucasus, Russia, Pakistan, North Africa, discontented with the Vienna [nuclear] Today, the political center of gravity has Iraq, Syria and Yemen. In general, wher- agreement and expected the Americans shifted to our region. In the past, this re- ever an extremist group introduces Islam and Europeans to throw their weight be- gion and other regions were affected by with extremist principles and easily kills hind them more fervently. They also ex- international developments, and today people, like Takfiris and terrorists in the pected the Islamic countries to support Politics Page 23 |No. 3| February 2016 MEHR NEWSAGENCY the extremist forces and terrorists that countries like Sudan and Djibouti gave powerful Iran.” enjoy the Saudis’ support. hand to the Saudis. Bahrain [regime has Of course, we are not seeking war But the Americans have become in- long been also helping Riyadh] as it has no [with the Saudi regime] and have always creasingly frustrated as they have been sovereignty and has been reigned by the been after good neighborly relations with indirectly defending Saudi Arabia in Syria, Saudis. After construction of bridge [King Saudi Arabia. Yemen and Iraq for nearly five years. Dur- Fahd causeway] which links the Bahrain ing the ten-month Saudi war on Yemen, with [the Eastern region] of Saudi Arabia, uIs a US direct military intervention in the US is providing aerial refuel for the the Saudis behave in a way as if Bahrain Syria for resolving the country’s crisis aircraft attacking the country. The US is is part of Saudi Arabia. Surely, Bahrain probable? also supplying the Saudi regime with in- people are opposed to this dependency The Saudis are not within the power to telligence regarding gathering centers of and these tyrant and stooge rulers of Bah- force the US to get involved in Syria and [Yemeni] forces. A resolution was passed rain who are the servants of Saudi Arabia. this is Saudi Arabia which is required to in favor of Saudi Arabia at the UN Secu- Thus, other true Islamic countries, did not accept and implements the US strategy in rity Council, and during this period a res- join this coalition despite Saudi pressure. the region. olution was not allowed to be adopted Such talks [of forming collation] are empty against them at the UN Security Council. rhetoric in practice. uWith the regional rifts widening due Facing with the alliance of Russia, Iran, to Saudi unwise actions, do you believe Iraq, Syria and Hezbollah, Saudi Arabia has uTurkish President Recep Tayyip that relations with Europe would play been defeated in the Syrian war. In Iraq, Erdoğan made a visit to Saudi Arabia a determining role in the Middle East the Saudi agents which are made up of days before Sheikh Nimr’s execution developments as the Europeans share Takfiris and members of former Ba’athi by Riyadh. Later, both sides announced similar stances with Iran in terms of joint regime have also faced defeat. Saudi Ara- that they have reached an agreement to interests and battling terrorism? bia had pinned their hope on Daesh and set up a “strategic cooperation council” We do not seek deepening the crisis al-Nusra Front, but after the killing of to boost bilateral ties. What is your with Saudi Arabia and are trying to resolve leaders of Jaish al-Islam and Jaish al-Horr, perspective on this? the issue from the position of strength the opposition groups have no longer As you know, Turkey also criticized Sau- and power. We also do not predict that needed military power [to fight] and are di Arabia [over Sheikh Nimr’s execution]. I the crisis will be worsened as the Saudis weakened in the face the Syrian govern- do not believe that Turkey will ever let its have an actual picture of Iran’s might in ment; they will be defeated. It should be relations with Iran be affected due to Sau- their minds. noted that waves of the Islamic Awaken- di Arabia. Iran and Turkey has good-neigh- ing were steadily infiltrating into Saudi borly relations with Iran and most of the uThe end of regional tensions and Arabia and [therefore] they resorted to vi- Arab and Islamic countries have criticized creation of a strong relationship with our olence to [stop possible public dissidence] the Saudi behavior. neighbors has always been a top priority as it is important to them not to face in- and in line with our regional interests. stability inside the country. On one hand, uIt seems that the Saudis are seeking an From this perspective, how do you see they sought to wreak revenge on Iran and exit from their defeats in the region and the future of the regional crises? the Islamic world in particular. The Islam- are trying to persuade the US, as their We hope that the regional crises will ic World’s scholars along with the Islamic ally, to play a more serious role in the be resolved as soon as possible. What we countries had asked Saudi Arabia not to Middle East’s equation via creation of have done over these years has been in do this and not to kill this prominent cleric crisis and fueling the regional tensions. line with efforts to end the crises, but giv- as this act amounts to crime as well [king- What do you think? en the elements involved in the crises it is doms’] stupidity because it does not solve The Americans will not leave their fate not expected that they are resolved in the any problems. in the hands of the Saudis and the Saudis, short and medium term. This is because It seems that Saudi Arabia’s deci- in practice, cannot play such a game and some want the crises in the region not to sion-making model is similar to an angry cannot tell the Americans what to do and end and create crises to in the region and person who has become disappointed not to do. Colin Powell, former US sec- dominate it. with a logical solution to serve its own in- retary of state and Chairman of the Joint terests. Chief of Staffs, referred to an important usome argue that the US has resorted point during the tenure of George W. to a proxy war in the New Middle East uRecently, the Saudis announced the Bush and said, ‘[I advise our Saudi friends to counter the Russian presence in the formation of an Islamic coalition against to stop disputing with Iran, because it region, unlike the Bush era, when the US “terrorism” and on January 3 executed [war with Iran] can send Saudi Arabia to directly came to the region and created Sheikh Nimr. What is your take on such the pre-industrial era within hours. At dependent strong governments. Do you provocative acts? the time, we are unable to prevent the think that the proxy war would be the This is not the first time that the Saudis destruction of the Saudi installations by strategy of the US in future of the Middle have announced the establishment of a Iran. And the Saudis will not find even a East? military coalition. At the beginning of their single phone line in order to contact us’. The Americans will not stop their inter- war on Yemen, there were talks of an Is- Colin Powell told Saudi Arabia, “Be careful ference in our region. They can either be lamic coalition, but in practice neither Pa- and do not bite more than you can chew involved in a proxy war or enter directly in kistan nor Egypt helped them. Only some and do not beat war drums in the face of the region; it depends on circumstances| Politics Page 24 |No. 3| February 2016 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Turkish analysts: EU, Saudis ‘hypocrite’ on Syrian migrant crisis

Interview by: Payman Yazdani, Javad Heirannia, Hanif Ghaffari

Two Turkish scholars and political analysts believe Turkey has been receiving refugees far beyond its economic capacities, hence rejecting the criticism mounted by the EU countries on the country on mismanagement of refugees.

Turkish analysts included retired Ambassador Murat Bilhan and the cur- rent Vice-Chairman of Turkish Asian Center for Strategic Studies (Turkish acronym: TASAM) and Özden Zeynep Oktav, Professor of Political Science and International Relations, both from Yildiz and a western attitude to take Turkey and Turkey also in a way. It pushed Turkey to Technical University in Turkey, sat in an Greece together in all these institutions raise its standards. interview with Mehr News Internation- including NATO. This treatment was di- Oktav: It helped Turkey to promote al Service to answer questions on the verted only in EU. Turkey first wanted to its democratic values, economy and se- Syrian refugee-migrant crisis, Turkey’s become a member and in 1963 it signed curity. role in the crisis, and the future of the an agreement. Now after 52 years, Tur- Turkey’s attempts to join the EU, among key has not been accepted yet. But was uSome refugee tragedies happened other things: it the case that only Europeans rejected just couple of weeks before Angela Turkey? No, because there tide turned, Merkel, German Chancellor’s visit to uTurkey has started a new chapter Turkey also began to put distance to Turkey that led to some agreements with the EU in order to join it. How do EU. So, now only less than the majority between Turkey and EU. Observers say you assess this process? Do you think of Turkish people want to join the EU, that Turkey is using the migrant issue that at the end of the day Turkey will be but I think according to public opinion as a leverage against EU. What do you accepted by the EU? polls 28 percent of Turkish people sup- think of this? Bilhan: This is a long story. It started ported the idea of joining EU. It means Oktav: Nowadays some of the most in 1963 and ever since, Turkey has been only a small minority of Turkish people important issues are the issues of refu- waiting in the lines to enter the EUas support the membership idea. Most EU gees. Till this year, Turkey had not want a member. Turkey has been member to members don’t want Turkey almost 50 to be a buffer zone between Syria and all European institutions except the EU. percent, but not as low as Turkey. Most- EU, but none of the European states Ever since, Turkey has been a member ly it is agreed that if Turkey becomes minded that Turkey was struggling with of all European organizations. At the a member of EU family, they all would the refugee issue. Syrian refuges grad- end of the Second World War, Turkey be benefiting. They would have some ually secretly tried to go to European was included in the Truman Doctrine assets and plus values especially in the countries such as Greece, however, their and Marshall Plan, thus it was attached field of security. They also think Turkey final destination was Germany because to western system. Turkish-Greek rela- would be a good market for them with a they expect to have a German citizen- tions in the western orientation system large population. But now Turkish econ- ship and welfare. Turkey have never has always been a very important issue. omy has much room for cooperation promised the refugees citizenship and Turkey first in 1963 wanted to become and flourishing. Turkish economy now it considered them only as guest, so the a member. is better than the economy of some of refugees try to make a better life. After Oktav: I am not that much hopeful the EU members. Now, they have start- the recent events and tragedies, EU ap- that Turkey will be accepted as a full ed to make other reasons to reject Tur- pears to have understood the important member. key such as cultural differences, life style role of Turkey. It realized that Turkey is a Bilhan: This point is very important, and some certain freedoms, freedom of very important country to cope with the Turkey’s accession to all EU institutions. expression and human rights. refugee problem not only with the ones That included also Turkish-Greek rela- Oktav: But Turkey has benefited a lot, coming from Syria, but also from many tion in the western-oriented system. too. other counties like Afghanistan, Paki- There was always both a competition Bilhan: Yes, you are right. That helped stan, Iraq, Iran, Libya and some other » Politics Page 25 |No. 3| February 2016 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

African countries. Merkel visited Turkey that any criticism in this respect against had fought 16 wars against Russia, so and negotiated a lot of things. Merkel is Turkey is unacceptable. First of all, Eu- it means there was an enmity, hostility one of the leaders that has not promised ropeans should fulfil their humanitarian and rivalry between Russia and Otto- Turkey’s full membership. Turkey didn’t responsibilities. Thousands of refugees man Empire. That is why Turkey didn’t use this issue as a leverage against Eu- have been drowned in the sea and in trust the Eastern Bloc. During Stalin- rope. It just wanted to draw the atten- some cases it was proven that they have ist era in Russia, Russians asked for tion of the EU to the refugee issue to let been pushed from the rubber boats to Turkish territory. They wanted eastern them know how difficult and costly its sink and kill the refugees. It is a human provinces of Turkey and also bilateral job of tackling the refugee issue is. Eu- tragedy. Responsibility should be shared control of Turkish straits. Turkey was rope understands the crisis and Turkey’s internationally. intimidated by Russian power, there- role very well; hence, Merkel came to Here is a question. Refugees them- fore Turkey had chosen western um- Turkey. The Turkish government knows selves want to go to Europe. Why they brella for its security since the end of the EU will not accept Turkey as a full don’t want to go to Saudi Arabia and the Second World War and during the member in the near future. The 3 bil- other regional countries despite their Cold War. lion dollars offered to Turkey by EU is a close religious friends being there? At very small amount comparing with its least some of these refugees can be uConsidering the Cypriot issue, how expenditures. supported monetarily by Saudis. Why is this problem going to be settled in Bilhan: Turkey has spent 8 billion Saudis don’t help them? order to pave the way for Turkey’s dollars on refugees and this money has Oktav: Saudi Arabia is very much criti- accession to EU? come from the tax payers by Turkish cized by Turkish TV channels, media and Oktav: In Cypriot some negotiations people. Turkey just wanted to share this people. They are very rich, they spend a are going on. In fact, Israel doesn’t want burden with Europeans. Imagine Ger- lot but when it comes to refugees they the issue to be solved. The situation is many has only taken 80000 refugees as don’t spend. complicated there due to energy and a rich nation, but we as a poorer nation water project defined for Cypriot. There have already taken 2.5 million Syrian uTurkey has been benefited from are lots of barriers in the way of solving refugees. It is injustice. Furthermore, bipolar system in the past. It seems the issue including foreign interven- they choose refugees like choosing that Turkey’s strategic status in present tions. However, despite all these barri- vegetables. They are choosing quali- unipolar system is not like that in the ers, there are signs of settlement. New fied Syrians to take them to Europe to past. How do you think of this? Turkish Cypriot head shows more flex- use them. Their idea is not to help Tur- Bilhan: Turkey could not benefit ible and softer stance and he supports key or the refugees but they just want from bipolar system to benefit from unity talks. The result of the referendum to collect educated and rich Syrians to both poles like Greece. Turkey was which is going to be held in March will use them. The idea is very hypocritical. forced to follow only the western route be very important for the settlement Their treatment is not honest. Impar- because of historical rivalry between of the problems between Turkish and tially speaking, I would like to underline Turkey and Russia. Historically, Turkey Greece Cypriot| Politics Page 26 |No. 3| February 2016 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

took disciplinary action against those who failed to protect the embassy and have initiated an internal investigation to prevent any similar event. Saudi Arabia’s By contrast, the Saudi government or its surrogates have over the past three years directly targeted Iranian Reckless diplomatic facilities in Yemen, Lebanon and Pakistan — killing Iranian diplo- mats and locals. There have been oth- Extremism er provocations, too. Iranian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia have endured systematic By: Mohammad Javad Zarif harassment — in one case, Saudi air- port officers molested two Iranian boys Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad removal of the smoke screen of the nu- in Jeddah, fueling public outrage. Also, Zarif, in his most recent article published clear issue will expose the real global Saudi negligence was to blame for the in NY Times, has once more underlined threat: its active sponsorship of violent stampede during the recent hajj, which the priority of Iran’s foreign policy being extremism. The barbarism is clear. At left 464 Iranian pilgrims dead. -Moreo friendship with neighbors, peace in the home, state executioners sever heads ver, for days, Saudi authorities refused region and international cooperation with swords, as in the recent execution to respond to requests from grieving particularly in fight against terrorism, of 47 prisoners in one day, including families and the Iranian government to while denouncing the destructive role Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, a respected reli- access and repatriate the bodies. of some regional states. gious scholar who devoted his life to This is not to mention the routine promoting nonviolence and civil rights. practice of hate speech not only against The world will soon celebrate the Abroad, masked men sever heads with Iran but against all Shiite Muslims by implementation of the landmark agree- knives. Saudi Arabia’s government-appointed ment that resolves the unnecessary, al- Let us not forget that the perpetrators preachers. The outrageous beheading beit dangerous, crisis over Iran’s nuclear of many acts of terror, from the horrors recently of Sheikh Nimr was immediate- program. All parties hoped, and contin- of Sept. 11 to the shooting in San Ber- ly preceded by a sermon of hatred to- ue to believe, that the resolution of the nardino and other episodes of extremist ward Shiites by a Grand Mosque preach- nuclear issue would enable us to focus carnage in between, as well as nearly all er in Mecca, who last year said that “our on the serious challenge of extremism members of extremist groups like Al Qa- disagreement with Shiites will not be that is ravaging our region — and the eda and the Nusra Front, have been ei- removed, nor our suicide to fight them” world. ther Saudi nationals or brainwashed by as long as Shiites remained on the earth. President Rouhani has repeatedly petrodollar-financed demagogues who Throughout these episodes, Iran, declared that Iran’s top foreign policy have promoted anti-Islamic messages of confident of its strength, has refused to priority is friendship with our neigh- hatred and sectarianism for decades. retaliate or break — or even downgrade bors, peace and stability in the region The Saudi strategy to derail the nu- — diplomatic relations with Saudi Ara- and global cooperation, especially in clear agreement and perpetuate — and bia. We have until now responded with the fight against extremism. In Sep- even exacerbate — tension in the re- restraint; but unilateral prudence is not tember 2013, a month after taking -of gion has three components: pressuring sustainable. fice, he introduced an initiative called the West; promoting regional instability Iran has no desire to escalate tension World Against Violence and Extremism through waging war in Yemen and spon- in the region. We need unity to confront (WAVE). It was approved by consensus soring extremism; and directly provok- the threats posed by extremists. Ever by the United Nations General Assem- ing Iran. Riyadh’s military campaign in since the first days after his election, the bly, giving hope for a farsighted global Yemen and its support for extremists are president and I have indicated publicly campaign against terrorism. well known. Provocations against Iran and privately our readiness to engage in Unfortunately, some countries stand have not grabbed international head- dialogue, promote stability and combat in the way of constructive engagement. lines, primarily thanks to our prudent destabilizing extremism. This has fallen Following the signing of the interim restraint. on deaf ears in Saudi Arabia. nuclear deal in November 2013, Saudi The Iranian government at the high- The Saudi leadership must now make Arabia began devoting its resources to est level unequivocally condemned the a choice: They can continue supporting defeating the deal, driven by fear that its assault against the Saudi embassy and extremists and promoting sectarian ha- contrived Iranophobia was crumbling. consulate in Tehran on Jan. 2, and en- tred; or they can opt to play a construc- Today, some in Riyadh not only contin- sured the safety of Saudi diplomats. We tive role in promoting regional stability. ue to impede normalization but are de- took immediate measures to help re- We hope that reason will prevail. termined to drag the entire region into store order to the Saudi diplomatic com- confrontation. pound and declared our determination Mohammad Javad Zarif is Foreign Saudi Arabia seems to fear that the to bring perpetrators to justice. We also Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran| Page 27 |No. 3| February 2016 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Culture Culture Page 28 |No. 3| February 2016 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Tehran, melting pot of cultures during 34th Fajr Intl. Theater Festival Afsharian for ‘Crime and Punishment’, Iran). The festival’s Special Award went to ‘When We Dead Awaken’ based on a script by Henrik Ibsen and directed by Shahab Agahi, Iran, while Thomas Os- termeier snatched the Grand Prix for ‘Hamlet’. While Hamlet was the only foreign performance that was awarded, Farin- dokht Zahedi, one of the juries for the international section was of the opinion that foreign plays should not participate in the competition section of the festi- val and awards should only be granted to Iranian productions as an incentive to encourage them for producing stage performances that would be chosen for Tehran was host to one of the greatest English rather than Persian – one could international events. cultural events in the country in almost think the performance was a pri- In any event, all productions were February, the 34th Fajr International vate event, the performance itself was good enough to have been selected for Theater Festival. powerful and left quite a lingering effect Fajr Theater Festival and the tickets were on the audience who had been lucky all pre-sold so quickly and the attending This January, all theater stages as well enough to have secured themselves a audience were so great in number that as some outdoor public spaces in Tehran seat for this Norwegian production. many had to sit on the floor or the stairs were host to a great cultural event called Japan’s ‘The Shadow Game’ by Dazzle to watch a particular play. One would Fajr International Theater Festival (TITF) Dance Company dominated the stage in think half of the population in Tehran with over 300 high-quality plays from 9 Vahdat Hall with four performances in had at least watched a play or two dur- foreign countries and various provinces two days, each time to an enthusiastic, ing the festival. For some reason, Irani- across the country wooing the audience crowded audience. The art performance ans love the theater, perhaps even more and cultivating their taste in high art. which had employed elements of street so than the cinema, and when they are The highlight of the international sec- dance and electronic music and infused presented with a chance to sit down be- tion of Fajr Theater Festival which was it with an interesting plotline was - aes fore a foreign-produced performance, enjoying its 34th year was the partic- thetically beautiful and fluidly moving to get introduced to theatre projects ipation of renowned German director and would have easily won an award in from other cultural backgrounds and Thomas Ostermeier with his stage pro- the section of Best Dancing Moves if the experience a different kind of perfor- duction of William Shakespeare’s master- festival actually had one. mance art, they will rush in without a piece “Hamlet”. The play had three perfor- As it were, the festival’s international second thought. mances on three days at Vahdat Hall, the section recognized the following cate- Fajr is the country’s leading interna- capital’s only opera house, to a complete- gories: Best Makeup Artist (won by Ma- tional cultural event, with sections in ly sold-out event. It did not come as a ria Hajiha for ‘Crime and Punishment’, theater, cinema, music, poetry and visual surprise to anyone that Ostermeier took Iran), Best Music (won by Music band arts, organized annually during February home the festival’s grand prix. for ‘Cenmar Sacrifice Séance’, Iran) , Best to celebrate the anniversary of the vic- But Hamlet, magnificent and impres- Clothes Designer (won by Ehsasn Fala- tory of the Islamic Revolution. The event sive as it was, was not the only note- hatpisheh for ‘A Journey to the Farthest has been so far embraced with great worthy event of the festival. Norway Away’, Iran), Best Stage Design (won enthusiasm and the audience becomes also participated in the 34th FITF with by Reza Gouran for ‘The Night Sings its larger and larger each year. Fajr Theat- Henrik Ibsen’s controversial, yet beau- Songs’, Iran), Best Actor (won by Lars Ei- er Festival (est. in 1983), in particular, is tifully-written play ‘Hedda Gabler’ by dinger for ‘Hamlet’, Germany), Best Ac- not only a time for watching great stage Norwegian director Marianne Roland’s tress (won by Soudeh Sharhi for ‘Crime productions; it is a golden opportunity troupe. Although the stage was uncon- and Punishment’, Iran), Best Script (won to get closely familiar with the theater ventional and the seats were very lim- by Amin Ebrahimi for ‘A Song for You’, trend in other countries without having ited and the translated subtitle was in Iran), and Best Director (won by Iman to actually travel there| Culture Page 29 |No. 3| February 2016 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Japan’s ‘The Shadow Game’ takes Iranian stage by storm By: Marjohn Sheikhi

Tatsuya Hasewaga’s creative performance art and bring the ele- entities generate. production ‘The Shadow Game’ went ments of street dance onto the stage The plot also infuses elements of on stage on Sat. and Sun. at the 34th – where most people believe to be a role-playing video games as it allows Fajr Intl. Theater Festival, garnering place of sophistication and high cul- the protagonist to choose between two a positive popular reception from the ture – is a risky one, aesthetically and available options that appear on the Iranian theater-goers. physically, but it is a risk worth taking screen behind them. Tatsuya Hasega- when the end result is a super perfor- wa, the director of the Shadow Game, You purchase a ticket for a play, but mance that exceeds every expectation expressed his love for video games and you get so much more. The Shadow and manages to communicate ideas said the decision to bring this aspect Game, written by Koichiro Iizuka and and feelings so powerfully and openly into his performance was a deliberate directed by Tatsuya Hasegawa, is not that it leaves you breathless even long move in the direction of presenting a any typical stage performance. In fact, after the actors have left the stage. more real-life experience to the audi- you should probably leave all your The Shadow Game is at once very ence; “we as human beings constantly previous understanding of traditional ‘Japanese’ and yet far from the tradi- arrive at various crossroads where we theater performance at the door when tional Japanese theater. Its plot isa must choose one way over the other, you go watch this Japanese produc- nod to the manga culture featuring a with each way having its own different tion. It is a magnificent combination romantic protagonist in search of his consequences. I wanted to bring that of dance, music and theater. There missing beloved, a victim of circum- aspect of life onto the stage,” he said. are elements of video games and ani- stances who rises to the status of a But the performance, while main- me plot with Japanese commentary somewhat anti-hero, and an actual taining several Japanese elements, is all wrapped up in street and contem- hero seeking to save the world from still not considered a typical Japanese porary dance styles choreographed by the dominance of shadows. All these play. The focus on dialogue has been Hasegawa himself. The Shadow Game characters are set against the over- shifted entirely to dance (the perform- is as much a balance between dance powering antagonist – the infection, ers do not utter a single word), and and performance as its plot is between the black rain, the shadow disease – the harmony maintained between the light and shadow. embodied in a corrupt pharmaceutical electronic music and the swift, precise The Shadow Game is a perfect ex- company ‘Hikari’ which is set to bring body movements and the creative use ample of visual theater and as such, Tokyo down to its knees by turning the of stage props such as chairs, umbrel- movement is its central organizing people into shadows and feasting on las and for adding more variety to the principle. The decision to delve into the ‘reflective energy’ these shadowy dance, all set Hasegawa’s production » Culture Page 30 |No. 3| February 2016 MEHR NEWSAGENCY apart from any traditional play. “Since we are from a dance com- pany, naturally we put more focus on the dance parts and the narrative was developed to bring the work closer to a play. We also tried to create a balance between these two elements so that the audience would not get bored,” he said. And the audience certainly did not get bored. I watched the play on two consecutive days – the tickets were all sold out – and on both occasions the reaction of the audience was startling. There was standing ovation even be- fore the performance ended and the audience were quite loud in expressing how much they had enjoyed the per- formance. The power of the Shadow Game lies and is in fact a creative reading of the ing music promises a way out of the in the way it questions the traditional 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and crisis. The search for the missing be- aesthetics, and attempts to push be- tsunami which caused the nuclear cri- loved bears fruition and the shadow yond long-held expectations to make sis at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power king is removed from the game. Tokyo room for discussion of such complex Plant. The shutting down of almost all is on the path to recovery now that the issues like light/shadow dichotomy nuclear plants in Japan and the subse- shadows have taken their leave. and how the plot moves beyond the quent electricity shortage created huge The Dazzle Company was actually appearance of these two apparently uncertainty for Japan future growth. enjoying a second time participation in opposing elements to get to their es- As a result of this tragic event, around Fajr International Theater Festival, al- sence; that if light has energy, so does 16,000 people were killed, 2500 went though ‘The Shadow Game’ participa- the shadow, a kind of ‘reflective ener- missing and thousands were forced to tion in the FITF was its first internation- gy’ that can be generated and used in evacuate in nuclear plant emergency. al exposure. Dazzle’s first performance the absence of light. In the Shadow Game, the shadow in- in Iran was during the 30th edition This dialectical interpretation of fection forces people to evacuate their of the FITF in 2012 when Hasegawa light and shadow and the harmonious homes, or they will be turned into a staged “Hana to Otori” (“Misty Man- body movements in the form of hip black mass and lose their humanity. It sion”) with its very complex stage hop and street dance that in Engelsian is dark times, people are losing hope, structure comprised of movable paper terms, depicts the “continual conflict but not all is lost. At least, the aesthet- doors and the combination of hip-hop, of the opposites and their final passage ics of the dance and the harmony in contemporary dance and an ancient into one another, or into higher forms” the actors’ movements with the flow- Japanese form of dance called nihon buyō. The play was highly praised by audience and critics alike and managed to win the Special Award of the Inter- national Section of Fajr festival and the Best Stage Designer Award at the gala. The 34th Fajr theater festival will come to an end on February 1, and The Shadow Games stands a very good chance of bringing more awards for the talented director.

Tatsuya Hasegawa was born in 1977, Tokyo. He is the founder of Dazzle Dance Company. As dancer and stage director, he has choreographed for various well known artists and has appeared in many of their stages. He has been awarded numerous times, both domestically and internationally| Culture Page 31 |No. 3| February 2016 MEHR NEWSAGENCY ‘Becoming Butterfly’ on wings of imagination, visual arts By: Marjohn Sheikhi While Fajr Intl. Theater Festival is ‘Becoming Butterfly’ is as much a underway in various theaters in Tehran, huge leap from tradition as it could get. Zsófia Bérczi’s ‘Becoming Butterfly’ And not just for Iranian theater-goers has taken the audience through an the majority of whom still preferring the existential journey on the wings of old ways and the up-front presentation imagination and visual aesthetics. of realities and the daily life, but also for the Hungarian theater tradition as well. For theater-goers and art enthusi- Ms. Bérczi believes her performance is asts, Fajr International Theater Festival quite unique in Hungary and even across is always a golden opportunity to get a Europe. Her delving into visual arts and taste of theater worldwide. Now in its abandoning all previously-held and re- 34th year, and with quite a long-time spected theater traditions is a great risk experience, the FITF has invited artists into the right direction. from around the world including Japan, “The Hungarian theater tradition Hungary, France, Belgium, Spain, and likes to deal with realism mixed with also featured commentary in Hungarian Germany to present their best stage cynicism. The majority of plays in Hun- with a Persian voice-over, but it could productions to Iranian audience. One of gary are social critiques, as artists would have also done without it. There was these plays was the Hungarian produc- rather show the real life with a look of something universal and deep about the tion ‘Becoming Butterfly’, a visual arts cynicism,” says Ms. Bérczi, “but I person- play that made it connect with the audi- performance written and directed by ally try to steer clear of political issues ence no matter from which country and Zsófia Bérczi. and instead present topics on human culture. The concept of the human soul For long the theater has faithfully and environment.” can be grasped by every one of us, as served the traditions and customs of a What makes ‘Becoming Butterfly’ a well as our deep-seated desire to move well-made play, with sharp outlines and masterful performance of art and de- beyond the limits and confinement of distinct features that make everything light is the harmony interwoven subtly our physical bodies toward achieving easy to grasp and comprehend. The tra- with the plot, the movements of the perfection and freedom. Human beings dition has at times sunk in too deep that actor and the actresses, the music and are always on the cusp of evolving, but the audience would feel apprehensive the shifting lights on the crème walls so are all other creations, as the play if the performance was to break away surrounding the play. demonstrates. The yearning for reach- from the familiar norms and bring to The play commands all your sens- ing a better state of existence is as much stage something with blurred and blend- es and provokes your imagination. The potent in an earthworm as is in a hu- ing lines, notions that would escape tra- actors covered head to toe in elastic man. And it is exactly this very yearn- ditional definitions and challenge the textiles morph into different shapes, a ing that connects all sentient beings to very foundation of old, deep-seated ex- worm, a tree, an elephant, a whale, and one another. “Human beings are not pectations. set your imagination reeling. The play the most beautiful creation on earth, but they are the most beautiful dream of all creations on earth.” This was one of the most powerful lines in the perfor- mance that resonated deeply with the audience. It was like a bright light shin- ing down on our perceptions and fears. It made taking great risks and tackling challenges seem much easier. It allowed us to believe in the therapeutic impact of metamorphosis, in resurrection and the idea of ongoing sentience in the face of death. There is no death, but a transitional stage. Death is but evolu- tion. “One must decide to go through the hardship of pupating as this is the prerequisite flying.” “I chose this play to stage for the Ira- » Culture Page 32 |No. 3| February 2016 MEHR NEWSAGENCY nian audience as this was the most visual performance that we had. It had the most images, and also I was conscious A157 and the price about the particular way of clothing not only in Iran but in the East,” Ms. Bérczi said while referring to the covering of women pay in a her actresses in the elastic textiles. “I always wanted to make a perfor- mance that is far from human beings, to man-waged war create another world so different from the one we are living in, but later I re- alized that this is not quite possible as we are humans and cannot talk about something totally different,” explained Ms. Bérczi about her reason for putting her performers into the elastic textiles, “that’s why I decided to make something about the human soul, instead. Inside these elastic textiles, the human can morph into different shapes which are all various representations of the human soul.” “Having been invited to Fajr Theat- er Festival is one of the most important events of my life. The other one was that we celebrated the 10th birthday anni- versary of ‘Becoming Butterfly’ on the By: Marjohn Sheikhi looked beautiful but not here. These Iranian stage,” said Ms. Bérczi, while not- people only get the cold sipping into ing that her play has so far been staged A157, a war documentary by their bones and the mud on their in Germany, Armenia, France, Romania, Behrouz Nouranipour, is a wake-up worn-out shoes. Rain isn’t a roman- Italy and several other countries. call to the humanity which is lost tic notion for these children robbed “But this is my first time in Iran,” she amid the humdrum of our daily so cruelly off their childhood. said, “and also the first time ‘Becoming lives. It is the tragedy of innocent “We hate the rain,” says a boy Butterfly’ has participated in an interna- lives ruined in the cruelest way around nine or ten years old, “for us, tional theater festival.” possible in a country where no one it’s just more trouble.” “In my opinion, most directors try has any hopes and dreams left. There are 17,000 Syrian refugees to present the ugliness through a crit- living inside some 4,000 tents in this ical eye so as to guide the world to- You know it is raining, has been camp, but the camera takes us to one ward goodness,” said Ms. Bérczi, “but raining, for days on end, not from particular tent in which three Kurd- in ‘Becoming Butterfly’, we focused our looking at the sky, vast and gray ish Syrian girls, aged 10, 11 and 15, attempts on presenting the beauties and angry, but from the puddles of reside together, with the last two be- only.” mud on downtrodden soil. An in- ing sisters. They look older, though, And she beautifully succeeded. -‘Be verted sky in a puddle of muddy world-weary and drawn; pain and coming Butterfly’ is a brilliant journey rain, an inverted narrative of trage- tragedy tend to have that effect on through different stages of evolution on dies past and yet to come, inverted unsuspecting, innocent faces. the wings of music, body movements lives shut away from the rest of the They have lost both their parents and dancing lights. world in UNHCR white tents erected to the ISIL terrorists, been taken hos- where the Syrian borders meet Tur- tage to live unbearable, torturous Zsófia Bércziwas born in 1976, Budapest, key. Here, a warped, twisted version days under constant sexual assault, Hungary. She studied multimedia art at of life is going on; perverted, it can an unending nightmare that plagues University of Art and Design Budapest hardly be called life at all. And yet every second of their existence. and is currently the founding member it is all that they have, these little, She is only ten years old, and she and chairman at Living Picture Visual muddied faces with frostbitten skins is pregnant. The three of them are. Theatre and Association (2004). She has and groaning stomachs and tearful Displaced, orphaned, maltreated, also directed other plays including “Living eyes; fighting for their very lives, raped and now pregnant. What does Surface”, “Octopus Tarot Labyrinth”, fighting for their next breath. Does a ten year old know about all the “Living Morphology”, “Morpholand”, ‘hope’ still reside among the ruins of horrors that have been done to her? “JiChing Labyrinth”, “Light Spheres”, war and death and suffering? Somewhere far away from here, “Wave Space”, “The Carpet”, etc| Anywhere else rain would have and perhaps not too far, other chil- » Culture Page 33 |No. 3| February 2016 MEHR NEWSAGENCY dren her age are playing with their toys really end here. A157 is not a trag- and taking cookies out of jars and be- ic movie with an unhappy ending; it’s ing completely oblivious to the anguish the ongoing reality. We read about the of little Syrian girls who have lost their terrorist attacks in the news every day, everything in a blink of an eye and the hundreds of people that lose their lives world always finds a convenient way to all around the world, and we become a turn a blind eye to the happenings that little sad and a little shocked and a little would upset its delicate stomach on a angry, but it is short-lived and we move fine day under the peaceful rays of sun. on. It is what they call the ‘collapse of But not for Behrouz Nouranipour, no. compassion’, our way to cope with over- Not for him. And not for those who had whelming tragedy and keep ourselves decided to sit down before the silver safe from being burned out by compas- screen to watch all the horror and trage- sion for many sufferers. It is easier to dies unfold as the girls narrate the story keep a safe distance and allow our dis- of their lives. torted sense of righteousness color our “A157 is the narrative of victims who how much you love them and want judgments. You have a choice to walk have unfairly fallen into the cruel clutch- them to have a good life. You also have away, but for the sake of the 10-year es of war. I hope the audience would be a choice to stay, to see and feel and re- old Sollaf who died with the baby inside able to accompany us on this journey member, this is what wars are doing to her, for the sake of the 11-year-old Hilen of truth toward war,” said Nouranipour, our humanity. Our humanity is the only who miscarried, and for the sake of the the director. “Most think of war as men’s thing worth saving, and in many cases, 15-year-old Roken who lost her mother game; that it’s the men who decide to it is the first thing that we throw away only to become one to the child of her wage wars but in the end it’s always the to save our money, to keep our sem- rapist, please don’t. Don’t walk away. women and the children who first fall blance of a normal life. We close our Please stay, watch and allow yourself victim to it and have to pay the price.” borders to these people who are fleeing to feel. Protect your humanity, not your A157 is a terrible truth that you wish from the horrors that we cannot even happiness. I hope you all get a chance to not to see; it brutally takes you out of your bear watching on TV, calling them po- watch A157. Maybe the next time you en- comfort zone and forces you to encounter tential terrorists and forcing them back counter a Syrian refugee on the streets, it the demons that you know you cannot into the clutches of death and despair. helps you have a better understanding of fight, yet alone win against. It shows you Some of us had even helped create this the pain and suffering each one of them everything you had thought to be true is a nightmare. Some of us pretend that we has gone through. Maybe the next time lie, and everything you had naïvely wished are trying to make it better. The refu- you listen to the hateful words of some to be a lie is a horrendous reality. gee camps? Oh, they are a joke. Living politician, you can see the other side of “War doesn’t care how much you in a tent, no running water, no heating the story and make a better judgment. love your mother, your father, your system, you can barely find anything to Maybe the next time, you can wrench sister, when it takes them away from eat. There is no entertainment, there is the shreds of your humanity from the you,” the oldest child, Roken, says in a always the constant sense of fear and clutches of politics, of media and propa- plaintive voice, eyes vacantly looking despair. And this all makes you wonder, ganda, and keep it safe inside. somewhere past the camera. Her name, what is the United Nations good for an- Maybe most of us cannot help Sollafs which means happy and laughter, is now yway? If it cannot stop children from and Hilens and Rokens through their suf- a cruel reminder of the fact that there is getting raped and pregnant, if it cannot fering, but we can be a human about it. nothing happy about her life anymore. stop people from starvation, if it cannot And those of you who are in a position to She was hopeful to find her mother, make a child who has lost her family and actually help make this better, please do. hopeful that she was alive and would re- her dreams, smile and become hope- After all, there is more to this world than turn to her and her little sister, and the ful for a better future, then how does economy, political propagandas, power A157 crew made every effort to find her. it dare call itself United Nations, when struggles and presidential elections in the At the end, the efforts proved futile. The nations are falling apart, when humani- United States. There should be. mother had been killed. ty has become rotten, when a ten-year- But it wasn’t just the mother these old child unable to cope with the idea of Behrouz Nouranipour, born in 1982 in children had lost. They had lost their having the child of her rapist inside her, Sanandaj, Kurdistan Province, Iran, has motherland and from here, there was attempts to kill herself time and time received his Bachelor degree in Cinema nowhere else to go. again until she finally succeeds? at Soore University of Arts. He has You have a choice to close your “I didn’t make the ending,” says directed more than 25 documentaries eyes, to walk away and pretend that Nouranipour with a lump in his throat to this day. His latest production, A157, everything is fine, that innocent chil- and teary eyes, “Sollaf did. She gave the won the Special Jury Award at the dren are not getting killed, beaten and end to A157.” international section of Iran’s Cinéma raped on a daily basis while you peace- A157 begins with the story of three Vérité and received an honorary diploma fully sip your morning tea or as you tuck little girls. It ends with the suicide of the at the full-length documentary section your own children in at night and think youngest: Sollaf. But we know it doesn’t of International Shahid Avini Award| Culture Page 34 |No. 3| February 2016 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

tion of the Soviet Union, to place this great religion in the seat of a horri- fying enemy. The provocation of a feeling of horror and hatred and its utilization has unfortunately a long record in the political history of the West,” he quotes the letter.

He described the letter a new win- dow to the West and to hold dialogue with youth who may have previously been neglected and were not consid- ered important. One of the considerations in col- lecting the book, was to include arti- cles written by young scholars, since the Leader’s letter addresses the youth. President of the Institute for Cultur- ‘A Letter for Second al and Social Studies Ayatollah Zuelm said Leader’s letter addresses major aspects, including the trust in the west- Thought’ unveiled ern readers who will understand the By: Lachin Rezaian on the route and answer the questions fact and the belief in positive change of raised by the Leader of Islamic Revolu- Westerners. ‘A Letter for Second Thought’ compiled tion. A Letter for Second Thought con- by Rouh Al-Amin Saeedi was unveiled Going through the lines of the let- tains articles which deal with current at Mehr News Agency on Jan. 24. ters, he said, Leader’s letters, first of issues in the world, including orienta- which was published on Jan. 21, 2015 tion towards terrorism and extremism The book is a collection of nine ar- and the second on Nov. 29, same year, among European youth and why they, ticles addressing various aspects of urge Western young people not to suc- so prevailingly, join terrorist groups as Iranian Leader’s letter to the Western cumb to the Islamophobic conditioning ISIL, why Islam is introduced as a fic- youth, first published in 2015 and cel- of their societies, but instead to think titious enemy of the West, what the ebrating its first anniversary on Jan. 21. for themselves. history of West and its colonial records The unveiling ceremony was at- In his letter, Ayatollah Khamenei are, how to create public awareness tended by Mehr News President Ali addresses the youth on Islam, par- in the West, what Islam’s place in the Asgari, compiler of the book Rouh ticularly the image that is presented global power is, what the foundations Al-Amin Saeedi, President of the In- to them as Islam. “Many attempts of Islamic civilization and values are stitute for Cultural and Social Stud- have been made over the past two and what role the media play as a tool ies Ayatollah Zuelm, and the Head decades, almost since the disintegra- to represent the reality| of Youth Thought Center Moham- madreza Yaghini. Mr. Saeedi called Leader’s letter a turning point and a new route of com- munication between thoughtful and liberal people, especially the youth, on an equal stand and based on the spirit of reason and logic, to hold construc- tive dialogue and to achieve mutual understanding and find ways to elimi- nate misunderstandings and problems of human societies. The book, he said, includes nine short articles written by young- re searchers to address nine main aspects of Leader’s letter, each by a young re- searcher, to take steps, though small, Culture Page 35 |No. 3| February 2016 MEHR NEWSAGENCY In memory of Jamalzadeh; Father of Persian prose writing

By: Marjohn Sheikhi ‘Persian is (as Sweet as) Sugar’ treats the failure among a group of Iranians January 13 marks the birthday of to communicate successfully among prominent writer and researcher themselves, owing to their different Mohammad Ali Jamalzadeh who is origins, educational backgrounds, and considered as the father of Persian class affiliations. prose writing. In the story, when the narrator, an apparently middle-aged, worldwise Ira- Mohammad Ali Jamalzadeh was nian just back from Europe, is detained born in 1892 in Isfahan. His worldview in a customs-house cell, he is met with was shaped early on by his father who a number of other ‘guests’ whom he was a prominent and also a cleric and starts to describe in detailed, everyday stands brooding like an owl in a corner preacher, with his passionate and ef- language. as if he were going to devour you with fective orations that attracted a large “I first caught sight of one of those his evil eye. As for the other two, they following and was instrumental in pop- phony Europeanized types…our ‘Euro- do not understand a word of human ularizing constitutionalist ideas such peanized’ gentleman had a high collar speech; they are both jinns and I just as freedom, justice and the rule of law as high as a samovar pipe…immersed in don’t know who would have to answer for the ordinary people and the poor reading a novel in the dim light.” to God if they took it into their heads (Taghizadeh, in Jamalzadeh, 1999, pp. ‘Mr. Europe’ as he calls him, sat in and started to strangle poor me!” 14-15). his little niche during all the commotion When the narrator steps forward In addition to receiving educa- the other present in the cell were mak- and talks to Ramazan, in genuine Per- tion by accompanying his father to ing, then occasionally he would ‘take sian which he understands, Ramazan his meetings, sermons and speech- his watch out and glance at it as if he is overwhelmed with such joy that he es, Jamalzadeh was also educated wanted to know if it were tea time or starts kissing the man’s hand repeated- in Lebanon (a few months before coffee time.” ly. the anti-constitutionalist coup), re- Another detainee, ‘Helpless “I’ll do anything for someone who ceived his law degree at the Univer- Ramazan’ after having failed to estab- speaks as you do…God himself has sent sity of Dijon in France, and returned lish a communication with a cleric as to you to rescue my soul!” he exclaimed. to Iran in 1915 before moving back find out why they have been detained, At this point the four cellmates are to Europe and eventually settling in approaches Mr. Europe , “like a hun- released, and Ramazan comments Berlin. There, he became a member gry child going to his stepmother for a that “on this particular day every im- of Iranian nationalists against the piece of bread.” aginable lunatic is being sent to En- British and Russian interference in But Mr. Europe does not prove to zeli.” Iran. be of much help either. “Revolution Jamalzadeh has played a highly re- ‘Once Upon a Time’ was his first without evolution is inconceivable! markable role in Iran’s literary revival. and most important collection of short We young people must assume the While his works would occasionally stories published in 1922 which con- responsibility of guiding the pub- come under attack by certain groups tains the successful story ‘Farsi shekar lic. As for my part, I have written a as insulting, they were also praised as ast’ (Persian Is Sugar), which laid the lengthy article on this sujet in which I a great innovation in Persian literature, foundation for modern Persian prose. have proved with a blinding force that thus creating a combination of fame This collection was actually the first nobody should abdicate his reponsa- and controversy for him. collection ever of short stories which bilite to others…” He was also fluent in French, -Ger featured a manifesto for modernist Needless to say, the meek, helpless man and Arabic, which made him an Persian prose writing, and the six anec- Ramzan was quite intimidated by the able translator. His translations of Ber- dotal stories treat “events of the 1910s pompous and nonsensical speech, giv- nardin de Saint Pierre, Moliere, Ibsen, in Iran with realism, local color and sa- ing himself up completely for lost. Schiller and Van Loon were published in tirical humor.” All these stories, in addi- Ramazan then started pounding his various Persian periodicals throughout tion of being pioneers, have a simple, fists on the cell door, “For the sake of his working years. fluid and easily understandable prose God and the Prophet I am losing my After the Islamic Revolution of 1978, which was in line with fulfilling literary mind. You’ve made me partner in a Jamalzadeh visited Iran briefly and then democracy as mentioned in the mani- grave with an incredible trio. One, may returned to Geneva where he spent the festo. he drop down dead, is a European, who rest of his life until 1997| Culture Page 36 |No. 3| February 2016 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

th 34 Fajr Film Festival wraps up By: Samad Habibi

Milad Tower in Tehran has hosted an was in form of an epistle (letter) written the Festival with receiving 9 crystal Si- eventful night in February 11 where by Heidari to himself and the audience morghs; ‘Standing in the Dust’ came sec- Fajr Film Festival announced winners of and read aloud by someone for audi- ond. The jury’s job was brilliant in equal Simorgh. ence. distribution of Simorgh and in sending The epistle called Heidari himself and the audience satisfied to theri homes A cold but hazy night of February 11, the cinema industry managers for ‘toler- after the smoke had cleared. The most the avid crowd swarmed the Festival ance, solidarity, cooperation, friendship, conspicuous issue was that Hatamikia Hall in the Tower. Contrary to expecta- and avoiding prejudgments of others.’ was absent. He received absentee acco- tions, the ceremony started exactly 19 The most exciting part of the ceremony lade by Parviz Parastouei, the winner of hours local time. Those who had not had was when winners came to podium to Best Actor Simorgh for his role as Heidar a ticket were requesting for one from receive much-awaited crystal Simorgh. Zabihi in Hatamikia’s ‘Bodyguard’, and high-profile guests who had the privilege ‘Mina’s Choice’ was nominated in 9 and Hadi Eslami who received the Simorgh of being specially favored; the check-in ‘Eternity and a Day’ was nominated in for Best Visual Effects, also for ‘Body- security guards were quite hectic and no 10 sections for Simorgh. Ebrahim Hata- guard.’ Mohammad Hossein Mahdavian one could go inside uncontrolled. This mikia’s ‘Bodyguard’ was nominated for and Mohhammad Reza Shojaei, direc- tight checks belied the expectations of six sections other than Best Director tor and costume designer of ‘Standing many an audience who enjoyed the free and Best Film awards, and a general in the Dust,’ which won the Best Film pass amid the large rush of crowd to the understanding was that the jury mem- Simorgh, criticized the jury’s decision Hall when ‘Lantouri’ was being screened bers cooperated unanimously to shun to exclude Hatamikia in two sections of earlier during the Festival. him by defying his admired work. In the Best Director and Best Film sections. A special row (no. 14) was kindly absence of ‘Bodyguard,’ Kamal Tabri- Best Actress Simorgh went to Parinaz dedicated to journalists and reporters zi’s ‘Mina’s Choice’ was a clear favor by Izadyar for her role in ‘Eternity and a of mass media. 15 minutes before the the jury to clinch most of the Simorghs Day.’ Also, Best Supporting Actress was ceremony, the gates opened and the available; however, the contrary was clinched by Shabnam Moghadami for audience was allowed to find their seats the case the film got a Simorgh only for her roles in ‘Breath’ and ‘Spare Part.’ in the Hall. The prologue was two musi- Best Composer with Mohammad Reza cal pieces by a ‘virtual’ band of players Aliqoli. Its Simorgh was equally divided The closing part of the ceremony was whose performance was displayed on into ‘Mina’s Choice’ and ‘The Daughter,’ films by audience announced by Reza the silver screen along with Moham- since Aliqoli was nominated for his com- Mirkarimi, the new head of Iran’s House mad Motamedi singing live in the Hall. positions in these two films. of Cinema: ‘Eternity and a Day,’ ‘Body- Surprisingly enough, the message of the Saeid Roustaei’s ‘Eternity and a guard,’ ‘Barcode,’ ‘Standing in the Dust,’ Festival secretary Mohammad Heidari Day’ set a new record in the history of and ‘A Dragon Arrives!’| Culture Page 37 |No. 3| February 2016 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

‘Iron Head’, different taste of technology

By: Lachin Rezaian

Animated feature film Iron Head was imminent war against the animals of the What makes this animation different released to the public at Azadi Cinema pond using technology and giant robots is bringing young talented Iranian ex- Complex after 3 years of hard work by made by old Mole. perts and veteran masters of animation Iranian talented young and veteran art Iron Head is an action movie using art in a team together, made possible by masters. computer techniques in drawings of the the help of private investment and with- characters and especially the lighting, out the help of state institutions and Iron Head, produced by Erfan Lolaki the animal characters which are por- agencies in charge of the production of and directed by Gholamreza Molla Ah- trayed in an interesting method and the films and animated movies. madi, is an action feature animated film story plot apealing to teenagers and the Cooperation with dubbing manager which makes extensive use of computer youth. Khosrow Khosrowshahi is definitely a technologies generating animated imag- The story is different, using a different turning point for the the cinematic work es by using computer graphics with high message. The movie never gets boring, Iron Head. quality. and the story keeps you interested. The We could make a movie with the cost Going on screen after three years of movie is full of great moments, but the of Iron Head, Lolaki said, however he hard work, Iron Head proved that it’s got best is the climactic finale - absolutely un- noted, his team seeks growth and de- the one thing that’s been missing from Ira- forgettable, when the animals of the pond velopment of the art of animation and nian animated movies: highly professional fire cannon towards the giant warrior ro- producing animated feature films which computer technology, a great action plot bots of Dr. Mole and destroy them. are rarely addressed in the Iranian Film and interesting imagery characters. There are numerous animation tech- Industry. The action takes place in an imagi- niques mixed together; using computer The team has used completely an Ira- nary territory of animals, including tur- CG software to create animated movies nian animated engine designed for the tles, lizards, snakes and hippopotamus. by a 3D animation motion graphics tech- project which well operates in the speed A turtle named Lucky has an unusu- niques, utilizing 100% computer-gener- of processing, he said. al and big head making him separated ated imagery, a plot centering on an ec- The 80-miniute movie, Iron Head, from his fellowmen living in a pond. lectic mixture of horror, action, science maybe experiencing some kinds of weak Lucky, the iron head character of the fiction, war scenes, challenge, conflict points, yet it is a good work trying to fill film, tries to overcome his problem with between good and evil and conveying a in the gaps in Iran’s cinema in the area the help of technology. moral message that good is always the of animation. The movie is expected to He is intelligent and tries to create a winner, are among features making the pave the way for the production of more device for flight and use it while their work more conspicuous in the field of feature animated films. place is endengered by the two ene- animated films, Iron Head producer Er- There are a few times when the mov- mies Nish and Dr. Mole, expelled from fan Lolaki told in an exclusive interview ie slows down, but one has to admit that the pond due to their hostile behavior with Mehr News. it has one of the most catching opening towards other animals of the pond. He added all the characters and the sequences. Meanwhile, the greed of the old liz- space of the movie are designed and But what’s best and most refresh- ard Dr. Mole to reach a diamond in the modeled by Maya Application. For the ing about this film is its moral message pond and provocative words of Nish texture, “we used Mudbox and Photo- which says, “people are over-indulging seeking revenge from the hippos who shop with nDynamic for special effects,” themselves in technology to the degree expelled them from the pond, wages an he said. that they are losing themselves.”| Page 38 |No. 3| February 2016 MEHR NEWSAGENCY News in Vision Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei received visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping on January 23.

President Hassan Rouhani at a ceremony here on January 23 welcomed officially his visiting Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at the cultural and Historical Complex of Saadabad. Two US military boats carrying 10 armed gunmen were detained by IRGC naval units on January 13, while they entered into Iranian territorial waters near the Farsi Island. They were freed after investigations proved that the trespassing was unintentional and due to technical problems.

On January 31, Leader of Revolution Ayatollah Khamenei granted ‘Order of Fath’ to IRGC navy commanders who detained American naval forces who trespassed on Iranian territorial waters this month. President Hassan Rouhani of Iran arrived in Rome on January 25 and was officially welcomed by Italian President Sergio Mattarella at the airport and then in presidential palace.

President Hassan Rouhani who was visiting Italy during his European tour, met with Pope Francis in Vatican on January 26. Italian Culture Minister Dario Franceschini accompanied Iranian President Hassan Rouhani during a visit to the Colosseum Amphitheater in Rome, Italy, on January 27.

President Rouhani and Total CEO Patrick Pouyanné held a meeting in Paris on January 28.

Iran’s Rouhani had a meeting with Tom Enders, Chief Executive Officer of Airbus Group, in Paris on January 28. On January 29, Iran and France paved the way for considerable forward move in their political, economic, cultural and scientific relations in the post-sanctions era by signing several cooperation pacts.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani delivered a speech at French think tank IFRI on January 29. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and his French counterpart Francois Hollande attended a joint press conference at the Elysee Palace on January 29.

Iran’s Javad Zarif has met and attended a joint press conference with Danish FM Kristian Jensen on January 4. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his Austrian counterpart Sebastian Kurz met in Vienna on January 17.

Former German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder met with Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif here on January 11.