Ukrainian National Security and Iranian Foreign Minister Defense Council Secretary Alexei Javad Zarif and Polish Minister of Danilov Met With Supreme Foreign Affairs Jacek National Security Council (SNSC) Czaputowicz Met and Held Talks Secretary Ali Shamkhani On Sunday in Germany

VOL. XXV, No. 6889 TEHRAN Price 20,000 Rials www.irannewsdaily.com MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2020 - BAHMAN 28, 1398 2 4 8 DOMESTIC 3 DOMESTIC INTERNATIONAL SPORTS Legal Case Launched Iran Cooperative Sector Rocket Attack Hits Near Derrick Jones Jr. Wins Over Assassination of Welcome Cooperation Martyr Soleimani With South Africa U.S. Embassy in Baghdad Slam Dunk Contest > SEE PAGE 2 > SEE PAGE 3 > SEE PAGE 4 > SEE PAGE 8

Tehran Strongly Condemns Saudi Iran Not to Negotiate From viewPoint By: Hamid Reza Naghashian..... Attack on Yemen IRGC, Undoer IRAN NEWS POLITICAL DESK Position of Weakness TEHRAN - Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyed Abbas Of Seditions Mousavi has strongly condemned the Saudi-led coalition’s Neil Joseph Smelser, renowned and contemporary criminal attack on the city of al-Maslub in the Yemeni American sociologist, is one of the intellectuals who province of Jawf, which left tens of civilians, including has conducted several researches on the Theory of women and children, dead or wounded. Collective Behavior and he has published some In a statement on Sunday, Mousavi also expressed articles on this topic. sympathy with the wronged people of Yemen and the Smelser believes some measures should take place families of the victims. with certain methods that they could encourage people “Over the past few years we have repeatedly towards a collective movement, for example, for a riot, witnessed that whenever the Saudi-led coalition forces a strike or creating a new phenomenon. or their allies suffer disgraceful defeats, they dastardly He believes six elements are necessary for a particular slaughter women and children and [other] civilians, and kind of collective behavior to emerge. He explains these create disasters using American-made weapons,” six elements, saying at first, it is necessary for structural Mousavi said. “The yesterday’s crime was just one conduciveness, things that make or allow certain example among dozens of their war crimes.” behaviors possible. Secondly, structural strain is Stressing the necessity of putting an end to the war in Yemen, necessary, something (inequality, injustice) must strain the Iranian spokesman said “the silence of the international society. The third element is the generalized belief - community towards the war crimes has emboldened the explanation; it means those who are in charge of exerting perpetrators and caused trampling on every international law pressure should do their jobs via the media in order that and human right to continue.” See Page 7 participants have to come to an understanding of what the problem is. The fourth element is the precipitating factors IRAN NEWS POLITICAL DESK - spark to ignite the flame. The next element is the No Easy Return for mobilization for action - people need to become Companies Leaving Iran TEHRAN - President Hassan Rouhani says the country will never give in to negotiations from a position of organized. And the final element is operation of social weakness, emphasizing that the US policy of “maximum pressure” on Iran has failed to achieve its goals. control - how the authorities react (or don’t). Due to Sanctions Rouhani made the remarks in a press conference with domestic and international media in Tehran on Sunday, Smelser in this theory of behavior believes accelerating saying, “All [economic] indexes show that we have weathered [the worst phase of] the US maximum pressure the economic issues is more important than other issues. IRAN NEWS POLITICAL DESK [policy]. Americans have reached the conclusion that the path they have chosen [for dealing with Iran] has been He believes people should accept that such an issue exists based on a wrong strategy.” and they should draw this conclusion that the establishment TEHRAN - International companies leaving the Iranian He added, “What they thought that they could use maximum pressure to make us sit at the negotiating table and rulers are unable to address their problems and they do market due to U.S. pressure are losing a market which from a position of weakness is not possible [to take place] and we have talked to the world with power and not want their problems to be resolved. If hope still they would difficult to regain, Deputy Foreign Minister dignity, but we will never negotiate from a position of weakness.” remains alive among people that the situation would for Political Affairs said on Sunday. U.S. officials and those in the Oval Office should change their minds to the benefit of people in America as well improve and the problem would be resolved, then, nothing Abbas Araqchi made the remarks in reaction to South as people in the region, he said. will happen. But if people lose their hopes, they can be Korea’s LG Electronics and Samsung ending their The U.S. should forget about unilateralism and even the fact that once they assumed to be the world’s leader encouraged and taken into the next stage. presence in Iranian market over the past few months and instead respect world nations and their legal governments which will lead to resolving all problems, he said. When people step into the next step, protests should following the U.S. sanctions against Tehran. The main objective of the U.S. is to press the government with the utmost pressure; he said, adding that Iran begin and at this point, the organizers need some Underlining that Iran puts the domestic producers and has announced its stances powerfully and with dignity. factors for acceleration like death of a protester so that entrepreneurs first, the deputy foreign minister however See Page 7 it arouses sentiments, collective wrath and public noted that if the country needs relations with foreign incitement. This trend continues till the time when the companies, it will definitely prioritize those companies sixth stage happens where the ground for social which remained in Iran despite sanctions. confrontation gets ready. This American sociologist Araqchi said that the Iranian people will not forget those believes this process should continue very naturally in who have helped the US in its maximum pressure against order that the targeted social movement happens. Iran, leaving the Iranians alone in this tough situation. Considering such a theory, we have witnessed that He went on to say that against the foreign pressure, there is enemies have been doing their best for years to impose no way for us except becoming stronger in every field, Smelser’s formula artificially and forcefully including economic and military ones. See Page 7 on Iranian people. See Page 7 INTERNATIONAL TENDER Late Mirzakhani Among 7 Women Scientists Sokhan Gostar Institute NOTICE NO. 98007 Who Shaped World Hereby Sirjan Jahan Steel Complex (SJSCO) invites reputable firms and companies to the international tender No. 98007, in respect of selling and exporting 30.000 Mt of 5SP Steel Billets (Size; 150 × 150 mm) TEHRAN (PressTV) - The United Nations (UN) has on the basis of FOB shipping point, therefore interested bidders are invited to obtain the tender documents named the late Iranian mathematician Maryam by sending a formal letter of interest to the E-mail addresses below: Mirzakhani as one of seven women scientists “who have shaped our world.” [email protected] [email protected] The UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment PRIVATE ENGLISH of Women (UN Women) anointed Mirzakhani, who passed NEWSPAPER IN IRAN S No. Description End Date away of cancer at age 40 in 2017, on Friday, the International Day of Women and Girls in STEM — 7 (seven) days from the science, technology, engineering, and math. 1 Submission of Financial Bid publication of this notice. “Although Mirzakhani passed away [of cancer] in 2017, her invaluable contributions to the field of mathematics endure, and her trailblazing career has Terms & Conditions: paved the way forward for many women mathematicians The tender documents will be sent to the bidders via E-mail. to come,” UN Women said in a statement. All bids should be sent in sealed envelopes. Mirzakhani, a leading scholar on the dynamics and Conditional bids shall not be accepted. geometry of complex surfaces, became the first and to Advertisement Department LOI should be prepared on company’s heading, stamped and signed by the authorized signatories. date only woman to win the most prestigious award in 021-44253335-39 No financial bid shall be accepted later than above-said end date of bid submission. mathematics, the Fields Medal, in 2014. SJSCO reserves the right to reject any or all the proposals. The brilliant Iranian mathematician won the prize — www.irannewsdaily.com considered the equivalent of the Nobel Prize for mathematics [email protected] For more information please contact us at: — “for her outstanding contributions to the dynamics and geometry of Riemann surfaces and their moduli spaces,” @irannewsdaily @irannewsdaily Tel: +982186086357 - +982186085834 - +982186084633 - +983442273806 Cell: +989901212678 according to the award citation. See Page 7 2 IRAN NEWS DOMESTIC MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2020

TEHRAN - Iran’s Guardian Council Spokesman Abbas Ali Kadkhodaei has responded to U.S. Representative for Iran Brian Hook’s mocking of the Islamic Republic’s parliamentary elections, reminding him of Donald Trump’s recent “disgraceful” request for “foreigners’” help with his presidential election campaign. “Barely had Trump gotten rid of the disgrace of begging for foreigners’ aid for triumph over his political rivals, Iranians Don’t Need U.S. Prescriptions for Democracy when Brian Hook filled prescriptions for Iran’s parliamentary elections,” the Iranian official tweeted on Monday. Kadkhodaei pointed out “the biggest turnout throughout the history of the congressional elections in the U.S. was 50.4 percent, and that dates back to 1914!” Legal Case Launched Larijani Calls Syria Key Country of Over Assassination of Resistance Axis TEHRAN (MNA) – Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani pointed to brotherly relations between Tehran and Damascus, saying Martyr Soleimani that Syria is an important country in the Resistance Axis. Speaking to reporters upon arrival at Damascus International Airport, Larijani underlined the importance IRAN NEWS NATIONAL DESK of the bilateral relations between the two countries. “We will hold important consultations on issues of interest to the Syrians according to the circumstances KERMAN - Judiciary Chief said that a case has been filed in the and developments, in addition to discussing ways to Tehran prosecutor’s office regarding the assassination of develop the bilateral relations,” SANA quoted him as saying. He was received by the People’s Assembly Lieutenant General Qasem Soleimani and some judges have Speaker Hammoudeh Sabbagh. been assigned to pursue the case in cooperation with the Speaker of the People’s Assembly, for his part, said in a statement that Syria and the Islamic Republic of Iran International Affairs Department of Judiciary and Ministry of who was the symbol of the fight against terrorism, has grabbed the world’s attention.” have common ties, on top, fighting terrorism, conspiracy Foreign Affairs. He went on to say officials at the international department of the judiciary, as well and siege which are facing the two countries. as the Foreign Ministry, are following up the case. He affirmed that the victories achieved daily on the “This will be done in cooperation with the supreme judicial officials in Iraq, Seyyed Raisi arrived at Kerman province on Sunday morning to hold meetings with judges ground are clear evidence on the absolute victory of the Ebrahim Raisi told reporters at Kerman International Airport on Sunday. and judicial staff of the southeastern city in Iran. strong will in the face of all of these conspiratorial projects. He added that certainly, Martyr Qasem Soleimani will be avenged. The official also paid tribute to Martyr Soleimani by going to the Martyrs Cemetery Heading a high-ranking delegation, Larijani departed for Judiciary Chief added that the world knows Lt. Gen. Qasem Soleimani as a symbol of Kerman. Damascus on Sunday morning. He is scheduled to hold of the fight against terrorism, adding: “Today, we see public hatred against America He was scheduled to attend and deliver a speech at the ceremony to commemorate separate talks with Syrian officials in line with the plans to more than ever,” said Raisi, adding that “the bravery and personality of the Martyr the 40th-day memorial of Lt. Gen. Soleimani in Kerman. boost parliamentary ties between the two countries.

Iran Has Been Iran to Hold Runoff Parliamentary Election on April 17 FM Discusses Syria With Russian, Exposed to TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli said a runoff vote for the parliamentary seats will be held on April 17 if the candidates fail to garner enough votes in the upcoming election this Friday. Turkish Counterparts Speaking at a televised program on Saturday, Rahmani Fazli said the Guardian Council has decided that a runoff Inhumane War parliamentary election be held on April 17. TEHRAN (IFP) - Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad If the turnout in the February 21 election is high, fewer regions will have to hold a runoff voting, resulting in a Zarif has held separate meetings with his Russian and reduction in the costs, the minister added. Turkish counterparts, Sergei Lavrov and Mevlut TEHRAN (IRNA) - Supreme Leader’s Advisor He also noted that 54,611 polling places across the country will open on Friday in 208 electoral regions, saying Cavusoglu, respectively, to discuss a range of issues on Defense Affairs Brigadier General Hossein the ballot papers have been designed with 10 security indices to prevent any fraud. including the latest developments in Syria. Dehqan said on Sunday that Iran has been exposed According to the interior minister, there are 57,918,159 eligible voters in the parliamentary elections on Friday, In the Saturday meeting with Lavrov, which was held to an inhumane war and the Iranian people are including around 3 million people eligible to vote for the first time. on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in dealing with the harshest human rights violations. The election campaigns officially began in Iran at 00:00 Thursday (20:30 GMT, Wednesday), and will last until Germany, the two sides discussed the issue of Idlib Despite the difficulties created by the economic war the end of February 19. province in northern Syria. which has been imposed by the United States, the The nationwide votes for the parliament and the midterm election of the Assembly of Experts will be held Development of bilateral relations, and issues related Iranian nation has stood up to the U.S. oppression, simultaneously on Friday, February 21. to the JCPOA were on the agenda of talks as well. Dehqan told Lebanon’s Alahednews website. In a separate meeting, Zarif and Çavusoglu talked U.S. claims that sanctions have targeted the about the US actions in the region and Iraq, government, while they have targeted livelihood of They also weighed in on ways to expand Iran-Turkey ties. the Iranian nation, he said, adding that the U.S. Startups to Develop Iran Oil Industry Developments in Syria were another issue discussed sanctions on medicine have directly targeted the by Zarif and Çavusoglu during this meeting. people suffering from incurable diseases. TEHRAN (IP) – Oil minister them. With the help of the Iran Iran FM Discusses Syria with Russian, Turkish Counterparts In fact, the U.S. pressures are aimed at creating rift stressed the startup companies’ National Innovative Fund between the people and the government of Iran, he noted. major role in the development of (INIF) and Ministry of Science, Speaking about the military power of the Islamic the country’s petroleum industry, Research and Technology, we Republic, the official said if they had reach a describing them as an ecosystem dedicated 100 billion tomans conclusion that they might win any war against and a place to apply the best result for the startups. Of course, this Jahangiri Calls for Massive Iran, they would have started it. out of cooperation between is only the start point and more Instead, they started economic war and science and industry. investment will be available Turnout in Election propaganda campaign to put economic pressures Speaking at a gathering too.” TEHRAN (MNA) – First Vice President Eshagh on the country, he added. ceremony of knowledge-based Minister of Science, Research, and Jahangiri said that defending the election is safeguarding Elsewhere, he talked of Lebanon’s Hezbollah, companies and startups in the Technology Mansour Gholami also the national interest and noted, “Criticisms must be saying that the weakness of the Arab states has led petroleum industry for providing said at the event that investing in the taken care of, however, we all must participate in the to think that Hezbollah is the most fragile part of technological needs on Sunday, employment of the young educated upcoming election for Iran’s glory.” the Resistance front. Bijan Zangeneh said that people is an increasing investment He pointed to the events of recent years and emphasized But, when they attacked Hezbollah and saw supporting the knowledge-based field in the science ministry. that Iranians have always overcome the difficulties. nothing happened, they understood that their companies is one of the goals he has always pursued Gathering ceremony of knowledge-based companies Referring to the assassination of Lt. General Qasem calculations had been wrong, the advisor noted. but the mechanism needed to be developed. and startups in the petroleum industry for providing Soleimani by U.S. terrorist forces, he noted that the U.S. Dehqan, the former minister of defense, said the “At the moment we have highly educated people in technological needs kicked off in the petroleum made a terrible mistake and Iranian people appreciated power of Hezbollah emanated from the support from the oil industry,” said Zangeneh, adding: “We gathered research center in Tehran on Sunday with the attendance the achievements of this noble Martyr in his funeral the Lebanese people and the Resistance as well. research teams in oil fields and emphasized on the of 100 startups. procession, foiling the conspiracies of the enemies. He said that the countries like Saudi Arabia, recycling process in the oil industry.” 40 meetings are going to be held during the 3 days of “Election is one of the significant indicators of the Islamic UAE, U.S., Israel and certain European states “We gathered the science and industry in the oil field the event and 250 knowledge-based companies are Republic. It has been a determining factor in the political and cannot weaken the Hezbollah popularity. together. At this point, we needed an ecosystem, as a attending the exhibition. social developments in the past forty years. Reform and He highlighted the U.S. terrorist attack against place to apply the best result out if science and industry. This event is the 10th version of the type held by the reformism are both the outcomes of election”, he added. motorcade of Commander of the Islamic Republic In this regard, startups can give us a hand in so many INIF. The previous ones were in different fields of He went on to say that we must all participate in the at Baghdad airport to assassinate Lt General Qasem fields for instance in combating fuel smuggling,” space and robotics. upcoming election and protect our national interests. Soleimani on January 3, saying that martyrdom of the official noted. Gen Soleimani was the beginning of a new move Zangeneh elsewhere stated: “We dedicated in the Resistance front. around 18 hectares in Ray (near the capital of Tehran) to startups as one of the first steps in supporting Iran Air Force Outfits F1 Warplanes With Indigenous Radar TEHRAN (PressTV) - The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) says it has outfitted its Mirage F1 In the name of God SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT fighter jets with indigenously-developed radars and various other equipment of domestic manufacture. IRIAF Deputy Commander Brigadier General Amir Vahedi made the remarks to Tasnim News Agency, Brief Notice of International which published them on Friday. The domestic detection apparatus has done away with the aircraft’s previous shortcomings in the area of radar surveillance capability, the official added. Inquiry No. 9803986 The Islamic Republic has already armed the warplanes with Iranian-built weapon systems, making them Esfahan Steel Co. intends to purchase 3 items Corundum Block (N2,N5,N6 ) through international tender No.9803986. capable of carrying various projectiles, including indigenous cruise missiles with up to 300 kilometers Prospective bidders specialized and experienced in the said area may visit Esfahan Steel Co.’s Website at (186 miles) in range. www.esfahansteel.ir to get the tender documents no later than 20.February.2020. The place and deadlines for the The French-made warplanes can be deployed for various missions, including those designed to turn the submission of the offers are as follows: tables on the enemy during aerial warfare. They can also be used for provision of logistical 1. In Isfahan: Confidential Secretariat of ESCo.’s Security Department, at the main entrance gate next to Melli Bank, support for ground operations. Esfahan Steel Company, 45th km of Zobahan- Shahrekord highway, Esfahan, Iran, telephone No. 0098-31-5257-2197 The new missile’s composite engine block max. Up to Wednesday dated 04.03.2020 at 15:00 (a.m.); can withstand pressures as 2. In Tehran: ESCo.’s office, near to Shahed Alley, Karim Khane zand Boulevard, Vali-e-Asr Ave. Tehran, Iran. high as 100 bar. Tel No. 0098-21-8891-5657 max. upto Tuesday dated 03.03.2020 at 15:00 (a.m.); France had armed the Iraqi 3. Email address: [email protected] the same as item no.1. military with a number of the For further information, prospective bidders may contact us via the following phone No.: +98-31-52572017 warplanes during former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hossein’s Western-backed imposed war of 1980-88 Public Relations of Esfahan Steel Co. against the Islamic Republic. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2020 DOMESTIC IRAN NEWS 3

Noon (Zohr) 12:18 108. Say: “What has come to me by inspiration is that your Allah is One Allah. Evening (Maghreb) 18:05 will ye therefore bow to His Will (in Islam)?” PRAYER TIME 109. But if they turn back, Say: “I have proclaimed the Message to you all alike and in truth; Tomorrow’s Dawn (Fajr) 05:24 but I know not whether that which ye are promised is near or far. Tomorrow’s Sunrise 06:48 Surah 21. The Prophets ( 108 - 109 ) Iran Cooperative Sector Welcome Cooperation Turkmenistan, Ideal Destination for With South Africa Exports of Engineering Knowledge IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK TEHRAN – Chairman of Iran-Turkmenistan TEHRAN – Iran Chamber of Cooperatives (ICC) in collaboration Joint Chamber of Commerce believes with South African Embassy in Tehran yesterday held a forum Turkmenistan is an ideal “The Role of Women in Cooperative Economy” for sharing destination for exports Abdollahi also pointed to some fields for cooperation between both states of knowledge of Iranian successful experiences. like steel, marine transportation, shipping, fishery, petrochemicals and engineers especially. construction materials. On the eve of the second edition of election in the According to reports, head of the ICC Mr. Bahman Abdollahi emphasized that in the He announced readiness of Iran’s cooperative sector for cooperation with their chamber, Mr. Majid Mohammadnejad elaborated Islamic-Iranian culture, women have always had special place, adding, “Culturally South African counterparts, adding that it is necessary to have proper planning for prospects for cooperation ahead of Iran and and religiously, one can name Hazrat Fatemeh (A) as a complete model of a woman transfer of experiences between cooperatives activists and entrepreneurs of both Turkmenistan and called active participation of who depicts the real stance of woman in the Islamic society. states for women. He also called for constant interactions between the ICC and members of the chamber in election. He also said that in the international cooperative movement, women have an South African Embassy. He then said that in the past, Turkmenistan was especial place, adding that in line with the UN developmental programs, the presence Meanwhile addressing the forum, South African Ambassador Vika Mazwi Khumalo considered as an ideal destination for exports of and participation of women in the cooperative movement for empowerment of said that it was his honor to welcome the participants to the celebration of mineral productions by Iranians but today, Turkmenistan women in the society has been underscored. Women’s Day at the ICC. can be a good destination for exports of knowledge of He then pointed to role of women in cooperatives in some countries, adding that He then highlighted the role of women in South Africa’s economy, saying, Iranian engineers. in Japan, 95 percent of cooperatives members are women and the figure in Spain “The Women in South Africa have always played a significant role He further said the economic, cultural and political is 65 percent. in the struggle for liberation, and as early as 1908 women were in the background of bilateral relations of Iran and Abdollahi added that women enjoy special stand in cooperative sector of forefront in the grassroots fight against apartheid. In the words of the former Turkmenistan shows huge economic potentials but so Iran and currently there are 93,500 active cooperatives in Iran and almost 11 president of the African National Congress and 1960 Nobel Peace Prize far most of them have remained intact and other percent of them belong to women and almost 33 percent of active cooperatives winner, the late Albert Lithuli stated, “Women … have far less hesitation than countries have taken advantage of Turkmenistan’s members are women. men in making common cause about things that are basic to them”. economic potentials and Iran’s share of bilateral trade He then pointed to some fields of cooperation of women in cooperatives in the These women include the likes of Lillian Masediba Matabane Ngoyi, has fallen significantly in recent years. country, adding that women are mostly involved in agriculture, mine and industry and Helen Suzman, Albertina Sisulu, Fatima Meer, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Mohammadnejad added that Iranian hand-woven carpets sectors. He reiterated that 61 percent of women’s cooperatives and many others. “ knowledge-based companies in oil, gas and are active in production sector. He further said,” South African women have been more active in government power station parts sectors have progressed well He also pointed to the forum, adding that one of the approaches for and policy-making, with 50% of the national cabinet and 46% of our and they have found ways in the international empowerment of women is to use successful experiences of other countries and parliamentarians being female. Women have also progressively begun to extend markets while one of the most attractive the forum was being held to take advantage of economic capacities of South their benefit in the economic sphere by successively managing SMMEs. Women industries in Turkmenistan is its oil and gas Africa especially in the women’s sector. represent 52% of the South African population and black women are in fact the industry and it is time for Iranian companies to Abdollahi hailed South Africa’s strong and advanced economic infrastructures, largest single self-employed segment of the population.” step into Turkmenistan market. noting South Africa is currently most powerful country in Africa in terms of economy The South African diplomat added, “Today as we are holding the celebration He reiterated that in the bilateral relations, both sides and progress. of Women’s Day in Tehran, we pay homage to all of these women - past and should not focus on the past successes and they should He further said the trade balance between Iran and South Africa was minus present – who had and continues to struggle for a better society. We recognize look to the current and future capacities. $109m in 2018 and both countries should work to set a balance between their that there are hundreds of women who have quietly dedicated their lives to imports and exports. support, uplift and raise their communities. I wish you well in your discussions He said during the post-JCPOA era and the U.S. unilateral pullout of the JCPOA, and sincerely wish that our engagements today would contribute to the labors there have been good potentials for economic cooperation between Iran and South of these women in their various communities, including identifying Africa and it becomes more important for both states to bolster bilateral relations to opportunities for cooperation between South African and Iranian women and strengthen their regional positions. their organizations.” KSC Bags Wins Crystal Statue at INFMA Tehran, Madrid SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT PERMIT NO : 1398.7161 To Cooperate CALL FOR PUBLIC TENDER On Seed Production (FIRST/SECOND PUBLISH)ONE -STAGES (SEMI COMPRESSED) RETENDER

Subject of Tender: PARTS FOR CATERPILLAR EQUPMENTS

Tender descriptions: Registration No. through national Tender No. Estimated value The Tender holder electronic tendering system /Indent No. (Rial) IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK Tender No.: FP/09-98/152-2 National Iranian Drilling Company 3,229,019 Indent No.: 01-27-9747013 01-27-9747014 900,806,974,800 01-27-9747015 01-27-9747016 TEHRAN – Khuzestan Steel Company scooped another accolade this time it won the crystal statue Qualitative evaluation of tenderers TEHRAN (ILNA) - Central Organization for during the 10th Iranian National Financial Rural Cooperatives of Iran (CORC) has started Management Award which was held yesterday at Method Based on minimum scoring ( 50 Points ) made in award criterion reflected in the tenderers pre-qualification forms. a new cooperation with Cellbitec, a Spanish Milad Tower of Tehran. agricultural cooperative to produce new According to reports, director of public accounting varieties of horticultural crops including department of Khuzestan Steel Company Purchasing & Submitting pomegranate and barberry. Mr. Ali Jahanbin was bestowed with the award by Hossein Shirzad who is also the chairman Finance and Economic Minister Farhad Dejpasand. The distribution of the documents will be started one day after the publishing of second advertisement and ended on the following tenth day thereof. of the Board of CORC, in the meeting Addressing the ceremony, Dejpasand called for attended by the CEO of the Central Union seriously improving the condition for utilizing unused Tender Hall No.:113, 1st floor, Foreign Procurement Dept., National Iranian Drilling Company, Airport square, Ahwaz, Document Distribution Place IRAN Tel. : 061-34148601 Room No. 431, 4th floor ,Oil central building No.8,Yaghma alley, Jomhori Islami st., for Rural Production Cooperatives capacities in the government and private sectors. He Distribution by Tehran – Iran (CURPC), the Board members of the also called for generating surplus and frozen assets to Company Submitting one original Bank Fund Receipt in the amount of 190,000 Iranian Rials under account number Cellbitec, as well as the Lecturer of the boost productivity rate of capacities. Submitting Method 4001114004020491 (Shaba No. IR 520100004001114004020491) in name of “NIDC Incomes Centralized Fund” issued by Kordby University, had negotiated the The minister noted that materialization of macro I.R. of Iran Central Bank. Submitting format Request for the purpose of receiving Tender Documents. cooperation mechanism between two policies of resilience economy for dynamic organizations on seed production. growth without any fluctuation depends on Closing date •€ 14 Days after the last time of Purchasing. Documents “Exporting barberries to the over 30 countries, exploiting existing capacities and using strong Receiving Method Hall No. 107, 1stfloor, Tender Committee, Operation building, National Iranian Drilling Company, Airport Address Iran produces 95% of the global consumption and dynamic financial management equipped with square, Ahwaz, IRAN. Tel: +98-61-34148580 +98-61-34148569 of the barberries”, Shirzad said. “South state-of-the-art knowledge. Tender Guarantee Khorasan province produces 20000 tone He said financial managers are exposed to the

Value of guarantee 17,537,000,000 Rial/ 147,395 Euro barberries per year”, he added. toughest decision like managing scarce financial Noting to the historical background of resources, adding for this reason, efficient and qualified Bank guarantees or guarantees issued by non-bank institutions that obtain activity license from the central bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Type of guarantee Submitting one original Bank Fund Receipt under account number 4001114006376636 ( Shaba No. IR 350100004001114006376636) in name of “NIDC barberry farming worldwide, Hernandez, the people should be appointed for doing this risky job. saving account” by the central bank of Islamic Republic of Iran. member Board of the Cellbitec, said only Iran Internal audit manager of KSC Mr. Seyed Sadeq Duration of credit & quotation Tender Guarantee & quotation should be valid for 90 days and extendable maximum for one time in initial validity duration. has succeeded to localize barberry. Adnani, advisor to deputy head of the company on Emphasizing the necessity of farming new financial and economic affairs Mr. Ebrahim Farzinejad, (Foreign Procurement Dept.) varieties of the staple and seed, the two parties head of purchase accounting office of the company announce their readiness on the sharing Mr. Jaber Salehi and head of budget and reports office More of this & other tenders are accessible by click on: www.nidc.ir http://sapp.ir/nidc_ pr knowledge and technology for farming and of the company Mr. Ashkan Afsharpoor were present registering new varieties. in the ceremony. 4 IRAN NEWS INTERNATIONAL MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2020

North Korea’s Kim Makes First Venezuela Holds Public Appearance in 22 Days Military Exercises SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made his first CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela’s military on Saturday held exercises public appearance in 22 days amid an outbreak of coronavirus, state that deployed civilian militia and armoured vehicles in the capital media reported on Saturday, to visit a national mausoleum and mark the Caracas and around the country, an effort by President Nicolas Maduro to anniversary of the late leader Kim Jong Il’s birth. show strength as Washington prepares to escalate sanctions. Kim Jong Un paid tribute to the statue of former leader Kim at Pyongyang’s Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, his first Maduro accuses the United States of preparing an invasion of the OPEC nation, which in 2017 U.S. President public appearance since he attended Lunar New Year celebrations on Jan. 25, state media Korean Central News Donald Trump described as a possibility. Since last year the United States has ramped up economic sanctions Agency (KCNA) said. against his government. Rocket Attack Hits Near Turkey Denies Flouting Agreement With Russia in Idlib Province U.S. Embassy in Baghdad ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey dismissed on Saturday Russian accusations that it has flouted de-escalation agreements with Russia and Iran in Syria’s Idlib province, and threatened to take military action in the area if diplomatic efforts with Moscow fail. Turkey and Russia, which back opposing sides in Syria’s war, agreed in 2018 to set up a de-escalation zone in the northwestern province. But their fragile cooperation has been disrupted by a Syrian government offensive in Idlib, in which 13 Turkish soldiers have been killed in the past two weeks. Ankara has said it will use military power to drive back the Syrian forces unless they withdraw by the end of February, and President Tayyip Erdogan has said Turkey will strike government forces anywhere in Syria if another Turkish soldier was hurt. Erdogan discussed the situation in separate phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday and U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday, but there was no immediate word of a diplomatic breakthrough. Russia, which backs Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, says Turkey, which has poured Dozens of Yemeni Civilians Killed in Airstrikes military forces into Idlib, has SANAA (Dispatches) - At least 31 civilians were killed in strikes on Yemen on aggravated the situation and Saturday, the United Nations said, following a Saudi-led operation in response failed to neutralise militants there. to one of its fighter jet crashing, with Huthis claiming to have shot it down. But Turkey blames the situation The Tornado aircraft came down Friday in northern Al-Jawf province during on the advances by Syrian an operation to support government forces, a rare crash that prompted government forces in Idlib. operations in the area by a Saudi-led military coalition fighting the rebels. Neanwhile Erdogan said the The deadly violence follows an upsurge in fighting in northern Yemen between the situation in Idlib in northwestern warring parties that threatens to worsen the war-battered country’s humanitarian crisis. Syrian will not be resolved until BAGHDAD (AFP) - Multiple rockets hit near the U.S. embassy in Iraq’s capital early Sunday, an American “Preliminary field reports indicate that on 15 February as many as 31 Syrian government forces military source said, the latest in a flurry of attacks against U.S. assets in the country. civilians were killed and 12 others injured in strikes that hit Al-Hayjah area... withdraw beyond the borders The assault sent warning sirens blaring across the diplomatic compound but it was unclear exactly what was hit in Al-Jawf governorate,” said a statement from the office of the UN that Turkey and Russia outlined and how many rockets made impact, the US source and a Western diplomat based nearby told AFP. humanitarian coordinator for Yemen. in a 2018 agreement. There were no immediate reports of casualties. The UN humanitarian coordinator for Yemen Lise Grande denounced the Turkey and Russia back AFP’s correspondents heard multiple strong explosions followed by aircraft circling near the Green Zone, the “terrible strikes”. opposing sides in the war in high-security enclave where the US mission is located. “So many people are being killed in Yemen—it’s a tragedy and it’s Syria, but have collaborated to It was the 19th attack since October to target either the embassy or the roughly 5,200 U.S. troops stationed unjustified,” she said. seek a political solution. In alongside local forces across Iraq. « Under international humanitarian law parties which resort to force are 2018, Ankara and Moscow The attacks are never claimed but the U.S. has pointed the finger at Iran-backed groups within the Hashed obligated to protect civilians. Five years into this conflict and belligerents are agreed to set up a de-escalation al-Shaabi, a military network officially incorporated into Iraq’s state security forces. In late December, a rocket still failing to uphold this responsibility. It’s shocking, » she added. zone in Idlib to stem violence attack on the northern Iraqi base of K1 left one US contractor dead and unleashed a dramatic series of events. The rebels reported multiple coalition air strikes in the area where the plane in the region, but a recent Washington responded with retaliatory strikes against a hardline Hashed faction in western Iraq and days later, went down, according to rebel television station Al-Masirah. Syrian offensive there has an American drone strike in Baghdad assassinated top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani and his right-hand man, They said women and children were among the dead and wounded. upset this fragile cooperation. Hashed deputy chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. The coalition conceded the « possibility of collateral damage » during a « “The solution in Idlib is the Hashed factions have vowed revenge for the pair’s death, insisting U.S. troops should immediately leave Iraq. search and rescue operation » at the crash site. (Syrian) regime withdrawing Sunday’s attack came just hours after one of the Hashed’s Iran-backed factions, Harakat al-Nujaba, announced a A coalition statement released by the official Saudi Press Agency did not to the borders in the “countdown” to ousting American forces from the country.He tweeted a photograph of what he claimed was an specify the fate of the crew or the cause of the crash. agreements. Otherwise, we American military vehicle, adding: But the Huthis released footage of what will handle this before the end “We are closer than you think.” they called the launch of their « advanced of February,” Erdogan said, surface-to-air missile » and the moment it appearing to bring forward a New Chinese Coronavirus Cases Show Slight Fall struck the jet in the night sky, sending it previously stated deadline of Tunisia’s PM Designate Forms crashing down in a ball of flames. the end of February. SHANGHAI (Reuters) - The number of new cases of a Outside mainland China, there have been about coronavirus in China fell slightly on Sunday, more than 500 cases in some two dozen countries and territories, New Gov’t But Future Uncertain three weeks after the outbreak’s epicentre was locked with four deaths - in Japan, Chinese-ruled Hong Kong, the TUNIS (Dispatches) - Tunisian Prime down, and a Chinese tourist died from the virus in France, Philippines and now France. Minister Elyes Fakhfakh on Saturday the first fatality in Europe. In the French case, an 80-year-old Chinese man died at Pompeo Claims formed a new government but it The coronavirus, thought to have emerged at a wildlife a Paris hospital of a lung infection due to the flu-like virus, immediately hit major hurdles after market in the central Chinese province of Hubei, has authorities said on Saturday. members of the key Islamist-inspired presented the ruling Communist Party with the huge “We have to get our health system ready to face a “The West Is Winning” Ennahdha party pulled out of the lineup. challenge of halting its spread while at the same time possible pandemic propagation of the virus, and therefore MUNICH (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo defended on Fakhfakh, a former finance minimising damage to the world’s second-largest economy. the spreading of the virus across France,” said Health Saturday his nation’s global role despite misgivings in Europe, vowing that minister, was tasked by Tunisia’s Beijing’s latest figures showed 68,500 cases of the Minister Agnes Buzyn. Western values would prevail over Russian and Chinese desires for “empire”. president with forming a government illness and 1,665 deaths, most of them in Hubei. Robin Thompson, an expert in mathematical Seeking to reassure Europeans troubled by U.S. President Donald Trump’s after a previous list proposed under The National Health Commission on Sunday reported epidemiology at Britain’s University of Oxford, said that “America first” rhetoric, his ambivalence over the NATO military alliance and the leadership of Ennahdha was 2,009 new cases, down from 2,641 the previous day, and with nearly 50 cases in Europe, a death was not surprising. tariffs on European goods, Pompeo said there was no crisis in Western leadership. rejected by parliament following 142 new deaths, just one lower than the 143 the previous “The most important thing to point out, however, is that “I’m happy to report that the death of the transatlantic alliance is grossly October legislative elections. day. All but four of the new deaths were in Hubei. there still hasn’t been sustained person-to-person exaggerated. The West is winning, and we’re winning together,” he said in a speech Several of the ministers chosen by The province and its capital, Wuhan, have been virtually transmission in Europe,” he said. at the Munich Security Conference, listing U.S. steps to protect liberal democracies. Fakhfakh to join the cabinet are sealed off and locked down since Jan. 23, with schools, After an extended Lunar New Year holiday, China Pompeo’s Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, accused him of telling “lies, not from the ranks of the Islamist- offices and factories shut and most travel suspended. urgently needs to get back to work. But some cities based on facts” about Beijing’s intentions. inspired party. The virus is believed to have an incubation period of 14 remain in lockdown, streets are deserted, employees Pompeo had been, in part, responding to German President Frank-Walter But even before he officially days which would appear to indicate it has been spreading are nervous, and travel bans and quarantine orders are Steinmeier, who on Friday accused the United States, Russia and China of announced the lineup, Ennahdha said since the lockdown was imposed. in place around the country. making the world more dangerous. French President Emmanuel Macron it was pulling out of the government. “China should strengthen the unified leadership of Those returning to Beijing from the holiday have been told the conference of international leaders, lawmakers and diplomats he “Ennahdha’s decision places us in efforts to control the epidemic,” President Xi Jinping said ordered to undergo a 14-day self-quarantine to prevent the was not surprised by Steinmeier’s speech and had liked it. a difficult position,” Fakhfakh said. in comments reported by the Xinhua news agency. spread of the virus. “We cannot be the United States’ junior partner,” Macron said, adding He said he had agreed with the that while he supported NATO, Europe needed to be able to tackle threats president to search for a solution in its neighbourhood and at times act independently of Washington. through legal and constitutional “I’m impatient for European solutions,” Macron said. means, implying that his lineup Trump’s decision to pull out of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, as well as the could be modified. Paris climate accord, have undermined European priorities, while moves Ennahdha won more seats than such as recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital have weakened any other party in October’s European diplomacy, envoys say. legislative election, but was still far Pompeo defended the U.S. strategy, saying Europe, Japan and other American short of a majority. allies were united on China, Iran and Russia, despite “tactical differences.” The Islamist-inspired party is Pompeo, however, reiterated Washington’s opposition to the Nord Stream 2 gas demanding a national unity pipeline under construction between Russia and Germany under the Baltic Sea, government that would include a project backed by the government of German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Qalb Tounes, the party of television Citing Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea, cyber threats in Iran and boss and defeated presidential economic coercion by China, Pompeo said those countries were still candidate Nabil Karoui, which is “desiring empires” and destabilising the rules-based international system. the second biggest in parliament Wang responded to Pompeo by saying: “All these accusations against with 38 seats. China are lies, not based on facts.” MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2020 PROMOTIONAL ITEM IRAN NEWS 5 6 IRAN NEWS INTERNATIONAL MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2020

MINSK (RFE/RL) — President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has said Belarus would start taking oil from a transit pipeline if Russia does not supply its neighbor with the required volumes of crude, the state news agency BelTA reports. Russian oil flows to Belarus have dwindled since the beginning of the year, as Minsk and Moscow failed to agree terms for oil supplies for 2020. Belarus Threatens to Tap Oil From Russian Pipeline Lukashenka, whose country is heavily reliant on Russia for cheap oil and billions in annual subsidies to prop up its Soviet-era economy, said on February 14 that Belarusian refineries received 500,000 tons of Russian crude in January instead of a planned 2 million tons. Indonesia Aims to Plug Skills Shortage In Booming Tech Sector JAKARTA (Reuters) - An Indonesian government plan to allow start-ups to hire foreign staff more easily could help plug a shortage of skills in the country’s booming sector, said a tech entrepreneur, though the idea is likely to face resistance from unions. The proposal, contained in a new “Job Creation” bill submitted to parliament this week, stipulates that foreign staff at start-ups can work in certain posts without a permit “for a certain amount of time”. Tommy Yuwono, co-founder and president director of fintech company Pintek, which offers loans for school tuition, said there was a crucial need for more tech engineers. “The bill is positive for knowledge transfers especially in tech because there are shortages,” he told Reuters. “There needs to be incentives for schools, vocational schools on how to U.S. Hikes Tariffs on Airbus produce quality Indonesian engineers.” President Joko Widodo has pledged to focus on improving human capital in his second five-year term in office. While Indonesia’s Internet economy is forecast to grow to more than $100 billion by 2025, Planes to 15% From 10% it produces only 278 engineers per million people a year, according to consultancy A.T. Kearney. Indonesia has five “unicorns” - or start-ups worth at least $1 billion - but firms say they WASHINGTON (Dispatches) - The United States is increasing tariffs on Airbus planes imported from Europe to 15 percent beginning often struggle to recruit suitable engineers and executives. March 18, authorities announced. One local success story, the $10 billion ride-hailing and payments company Gojek, now The duties have been at 10 percent since October, when Washington hit $7.5 billion in European products with tariffs. maintains a large engineering and development office in the Indian tech hub of Bangalore, as The announcement from the office of the United States Trade Representative came just days after President Donald Trump said it was does online travel app Traveloka, which is valued at over $4 billion. time to talk “very seriously” about a trade deal with the European Union. Washington imposed punitive taxes on the $7.5 billion in Other unicorns, including e-commerce marketplace Tokopedia, will hold recruitment events European products after the World Trade Organization (WTO) gave the United States a green light to take retaliatory trade measures abroad to recruit top Indonesian talent. Firms say that due to demand, experienced Indonesian tech against the EU over its subsidies to European aerospace giant Airbus. Other products -- including wine, cheese, coffee and olives -- have been executives or engineers can be paid more working for unicorns at home than in Silicon Valley. taxed at 25 percent since October. The “Job Creation” bill is one of Widodo’s so-called Industry executives in “omnibus laws”, which aim to change scores of existing laws Europe and the United States Pakistan, Turkey to Transform Ties Into Economic Partnership to cut red tape and attract investment in Southeast Asia’s are on tenterhooks awaiting biggest economy. Kahar S. Cahyono, a spokesman at the each new announcement from ISLAMABAD (Dispatches) - Pakistan and Turkey on Friday agreed to He said: “Turkey is ready to provide all support in transport, Confederation of Indonesian Workers’ Union (KSPI), said trade authorities. transform their ties into a strategic economic partnership. energy, tourism, healthcare, education, and law-enforcement, the definition of start-ups in the bill was too broad and risked “It has become abundantly The two sides, which signed 13 memorandums of understandings which will help in socio-economic development of Pakistan.” of misinterpretation. “It will be hard to prove that foreign clear that tariffs on distilled (MoUs) including a joint declaration after the sixth meeting of the The MoUs signed by the two governments relate to fields of workers will work at start-ups or not,” he said, accusing the spirits products are causing High-Level Strategic Co operation Council (HLSCC), importantly standardisation, conformity assessment, metro logy and training; government of favoring foreign workers. rough seas on both sides of approved a Strategic Economic Framework (SEF) and an diaspora policy; media; development and facilitation of tourism; Aris Wahyudi, an official at the manpower ministry, said the Atlantic,” the Distilled accompanying elaborate plan of action to implement the new halal accre ditation; trade facilitation and customs cooperation matters; the use of foreign workers was part of a strategy to bring in Spirits Council of the vision for the ties. railways; postal services; military training; and hydrocarbons. global talent to speed up the development of Indonesian United States said in a The SEF aims at realizing the target of enhancing bilateral trade These agreements were the outcome of discussions at the HLSCC, workers. Indonesia ranks 73 out of 190 countries in the World statement Friday. to $5 billion by 2023 from the current $800 million. which steers the bilateral relationship and its working groups. Bank’s ease of doing business index, below neighbours such The council called on authorities Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, while speaking at a In another development the two sides agreed to expand the as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. to withdraw 25 percent taxes on press conference with Prime Minister Imran Khan after the signing scope of the HLCC, which previously had seven joint working American whiskeys in the EU, ceremony, described the SEF and the 71-point plan of action, as the groups focusing on political coordination; trade and investment; and 25 percent taxes on liquors “roadmap for deepening economic cooperation”. energy; banking and finance; transport and communications; Oil-Rich Azerbaijan Takes imported from five European Mr Erdogan, who was on a two-day visit to Pakistan for culture and tourism; and education. HLCC has now got countries, pointing to fears of a co-chairing the HLSCC meeting, vowed to extend all help in two new groups on defence industry cooperation and negative impact on the U.S. Pakistan’s socio-economic development. water and agriculture. Lead in Green Economy economy and jobs. But Trump, a real estate developer turned politician, sees tariffs as a negotiating tool. After a trade war with China that lasted nearly two years and featured S. Korea to Spare No Efforts to Minimize Economic Impact of Coronavirus punishing reciprocal tariffs, Trump declared at the signing of a “phase one” trade deal with Beijing in January that it was a “momentous step ... SEOUL (Yonhap) -- South Korea will Hong also urged people to carry out righting the wrongs of the past.” spare no efforts to minimize the economic “normal economic activities,” saying He has now turned his sights to Europe though relations remain tense as fallout of the new coronavirus and draw private consumption was hit by the spread Washington brandishes the threat of taxing European auto imports, a up additional measures to support an of the virus. move targeting Germany, Europe’s biggest auto exporter. economic recovery, Finance Minister It was the first time the two men have met Trump wants EU member states to further open their markets to Hong Nam-ki said Friday. since August last year, when they discussed American products, particularly agricultural goods. Hong made the remarks in a meeting with measures to deal with Japan’s export curbs of BAKU (Dispatches) - Now that the heat and dust of He has also threatened to hike tariffs on French wine -- currently Bank of Korea Gov. Lee Ju-yeol on Friday to key materials targeting South Korea. Azerbaijan’s parliamentary election on February taxed at 25 percent -- even further unless there is a deal on a digital discuss how to cope with the economic The market is increasingly betting that 9thhas settled, a new generation of administrators tax which European nations want to impose on American giants such impact of the virus, which was recently the central bank will cut its key rate at are focusing on accelerating the pace of reforms as Amazon and Facebook. named COVID-19. its policy meeting on Feb. 27 to under President Ilham Aliyev, who has ambitious preemptively cope with the economic plans to further modernize its economy and fallout of the virus. diversify its energy sources. Hong urged people not to be too cautious Oil and gas account for about 95 percent of and to go on with everyday activities, as Azerbaijan’s exports and 75 percent of government To Ease Economic Crisis, Lebanon Central Bank Cuts Rates the government has been working on the revenue, with the hydrocarbon sector alone full control of the disease, including generating about 40 percent of the country’s BEIRUT (Dispatches) - Lebanon’s central bank Thursday told commercial banks to lower interest rates on dollar and infection prevention. economic activity. Apart from providing oil to Lebanese pound deposits in the latest attempt to ease the country’s worst financial crisis in decades. Hong said the government will swiftly Europe, Azerbaijan successfully completed the The central bank imposed a temporary interest cap of 4 percent on dollar deposits and 7.5 percent on Lebanese pound come up with additional measures to help Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) deposits, according to a circular seen by AFP. cushion local firms from the economic with Turkey in November 2019 to transfer It was the second time in two months that the central bank has taken such a measure. impact of the virus. Azerbaijani gas to Europe. Earlier in December, it capped interest rates on dollar and local currency deposits at 5 and 8.5 percent respectively. Such measures include policy tools to boost Yet, with an eye on the future, the country has also The latest reduction comes weeks after Lebanon’s finance minister, Ghazi Wazni, called for slashed rates to “spur economic local tourism, aviation, exports and private begun to take huge strides in renewable energy. activity and to ease pressure on public finances.” consumption, Hong said. Solar and wind power projects have been installed, A banking source close to the matter said the latest central bank measure was part “of a more comprehensive South Korea has so far reported 28 with their share in total electricity generation economic rescue plan.” confirmed cases of the virus, but the already reaching 17 percent. By 2030, this figure is The source asked not to be named because he is not authorized to speak on the issue. number has remained unchanged since expected to hit 30 percent. The new prime minister, Hassan Diab, Tuesday. Seven of the diagnosed patients Solar power plants currently operate in Gobustan has said his cabinet would draw up an have been released from quarantine after and Samukh, as well as in the Pirallahi, Surahani emergency rescue plan for the country by fully recovering. and Sahil settlements in Baku. the end of the month. Last week, the finance ministry said it The potential of renewable energy sources in Azerbaijan The crisis-hit country has debt-to-GDP will provide 2 trillion won (US$1.7 billion) is over 25,300 megawatts, which allows generating 62.8 ratio of more than 150 percent, one of the in financial support to small merchants billion kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. Most of this highest in the world. who are expected to be hurt by the spread potential comes from solar energy, which is estimated at It is currently in the throes of a severe of the virus. 5,000 megawatts. Wind energy accounts for 4,500 economic meltdown and a biting liquidity The government will also provide loans megawatts, biomass is estimated at 1,500 megawatts, crunch that has seen banks impose worth 25 billion won with a lower interest and geothermal energy at 800 megawatts. stringent controls on withdrawals and rate to small and medium-sized companies. President Aliyev has supported the drive for renewable transfers abroad. Financial market volatility had increased energy. He signed a decree in 2019 to establish a Credit rating agencies and economists due to the spread of the virus, but it has commission for implementing and coordinating test have warned of dwindling foreign recently shown signs of stabilization, projects for the construction of solar and wind power currency reserves that have plummeted in Hong said. plants. Azerbaijan’s focus on renewable energy has recent months, threatening import “The government will stay alert to increasing drawn interest from its European partners, with leading payments and a devaluation of the volatility in financial markets, while making French companies seeking to invest in the country’s Lebanese pound. our contingency plans ready,” Hong said. solar and wind electricity generation. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2020 WORLD NEWS IRAN NEWS 7

TEHRAN (MNA) – The Managing Director of Investment He further noted that Iran’s petrochemical output will hit Department of the National Petrochemical Company (NPC) 100 million tons by 2021, showing an eighty percent growth Iran’s Petchem Output to Hossein Alimorad said that Iran’s petrochemical output will in production capacity of petrochemical companies. hit 100 million tons by the end of 2021. He made the remarks in an interview with Fars News Hit 100m Tons by 2021 He put the output volume of petrochemical industry in 2013 Agency on Sun. and said that the country needs making a at about 56 million tons which hit 64 million tons in 2017. huge investment in petrochemical industry.

IRGC... Macron Calls for Better FROM PAGE 1 With what was explained about Smelser’s doctrine that one can give a Long-Term Relations With Russia primary form to a phenomenon and then manages it in order that PARIS (Dispatches) - Europe needs to strive for better relations with Russia in the it can move in the long term, French President Emmanuel Macron said Saturday, adding that while he favorable destination, one isn’t proposing lifting sanctions they have changed nothing about Russia’s behavior. can easily analyze the Macron told the Munich Security Conference that a “credible” approach to dealing performance of some with Russia would be to take the line that “we are demanding, we are giving no elements like the government in this framework. ground in our principles on frozen conflicts, but will re-engage in a strategic Some of the decisions in the structure of the country dialogue—which will take time.” especially in the executive branch can be linked Relations between European Union countries and Moscow have been strained intentionally or unintentionally to this theory. since Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and fighting broke out between Blocking the deposit accounts of people and Kyiv and Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. That festering military refraining to return them to their owners has led to conflict has left over 14,000 dead since then. The U.S. and the European Union protests in recent years in the country. The presence slapped sanctions on Russia for its actions in Ukraine. of the banks in the forex market and their manipulation French companies who are engaged in trade with Russia have pressured Macron to for increasing the price of dollar to 19,000 tomans help repair the EU’s relations with Moscow and to ease economic sanctions. which affected people’s earnings and caused 150 During a visit to Poland this month, Macron said it was “a major error to distance percent inflation, and increasing the price of gasoline ourselves from a part of Europe that we don’t feel comfortable about.” from 1000 tomans to 3000 tomans per liter overnight On Saturday, he said the result of recent years is “a totally inefficient system.” That can be evaluated as these sorts of events for includes “sanctions that have changed absolutely nothing in Russia—I am not He said that he expects Russia will continue playing a destabilizing role in matters materialization of Smelser’s theory. proposing at all to lift them, I am just stating this,” he added. such as other countries’ election campaigns, either directly or indirectly. “I don’t Regarding the policies for induction of artificial In advocating more dialogue with Russia, Macron pointed to the revival late last believe in miracles—I believe in politics, in the fact that human will can change riots, the future usually determines the role of year of the four-way summits between France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine aimed things when we give ourselves the means,” he said. accelerator factors in the Smelser’s formula. That at resolving the conflict in eastern Ukraine. However, Macron argued that Russia’s military buildup is financially unsustainable. Western formulas have not achieved significant He said “we need in the long term to reengage with Russia but also emphasize its He also says an alliance with China would not be “durable,” in part because successes in Iran yet needs a depth analysis and responsibility in its role” as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council. “Chinese hegemony is not compatible with the Russian sense of pride.” That, he evaluating Iranian nation’s cognitive maturity. “It cannot constantly be a member that blocks advances by this council.” added, points to the need for a “European partnership.” Of course from one aspect, one should know that a nation who has thwarted any plot under the framework of resistance doctrine for 41 years can present necessary Singapore Fears Economic Impact counter-attack against enemies’ machinations by an UAE Economy to Get a Major Boost From Expo 2020 insight and identifying enemies’ plots. And this is one Of Covid-19 Will Exceed SARS of the properties of Iranian nation. DUBAI (Dispatches) - More than half of UAE which will benefit the construction, interior fit-outs, In line with this wise authority, this belief exists SINGAPORE (Dispatches) - Singapore’s economy residents feel that the Expo 2020 would boost the banking, hospitality, aviation, event management among Iranian nation that some of events and “will take a hit” from the spreading Covid-19 country’s economy, a survey has revealed. and F & B sectors. developments in the country and some big plots (coronavirus), Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said) YouGov’s new survey shows that excitement With the theme of Connecting Minds, Creating the which are foiled cannot be analyzed materialistically. while inspecting health screening measures at the levels are high with a large majority of UAE Future, Expo 2020 is organized around, opportunity, The unique role of the IRGC in undoing all seditions city-state’s international airport. residents (67 per cent) looking forward to attend the mobility, and sustainability. The expo site in Dubai is actually the role of God’s hand in the sleeves of Lee said that the economic impact of the disease, also exposition. Among those who are likely to visit the covers 4.38 square kilometres and is in the Dubai pious children of the country, as the Supreme Leader known as Covid-19, will likely top that of the Severe Acute expo, people aged 30 plus are more likely to be South district, close to Al Maktoum International says, “People who rely on materialistic analyses are Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak of 2003, which present than younger adults in the country. Working Airport and within proximity of the Dubai International unable to see God’s powerful hand in these events.” resulted in reduced commerce and travel across East and professionals are more likely than non-working Airport, Abu Dhabi International Airport, and Dubai South-East Asia and saw Singapore’s wealthy, trade-based residents (72 per cent versus 51 per cent) to visit the and Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminals. economy shrink by 0.3% during that year’s second quarter. expo. Even married residents, especially ones with The YouGov survey revealed that among those The coronavirus death toll has already exceeded that of children, are more likely than the single people to who are visiting the event, more than half Iran Not to Negotiate... SARS. Lee warned that, although Singapore was free of attend the event. (52 per cent) are planning to attend the expo at FROM PAGE 1 SARS within four months, the timetable for coronavirus Expo 2020, which runs from October 20, 2020 to its launch while one in seven (15 per cent) “may not be so fast.” Lee said that coronavirus will April 20, 2021, is set to welcome 190 participating are likely to be present for the closing ceremony. Rouhani went on to say that this is the first time that have a bigger impact as “economies of the region are countries with an estimated 25 million visitors from Two in five (40 per cent) will attend specific Iran experiences an oil-free economy. much more interlinked together.” across the globe. events. One in ten (10 per cent) will join the He further said that all indexes indicate that the “China, particularly, is a much bigger factor in the region,” According to analysts, the expo is expected to fuel celebration only after going through attendee Islamic Republic of Iran has successfully overcome Lee added. China accounted for 17% of Singapore’s exports the growth of Dubai economy by four per cent in the reviews and a similar proportion is unsure of the U.S. maximum pressure. and 19% of visitors in 2019, more than double the numbers next one year as economic activity gains momentum, their attendance at this moment. He appreciated the Iranian nation for their during the SARS crisis, when China’s gross domestic massive turnout in the 41st victory anniversary of product was roughly one-eighth its current size. the Islamic Revolution. The Singapore Government will announce its 2020 No Easy Return... The brave Iranian nation is to resist against all foreign pressures and successfully overcome all difficulties, he Budget on April 18. Measures are expected to counter the FROM PAGE 1 likely impact of reduced trade with and tourism from China, said. Iranian people have also overcome maximum with the Finance Ministry pledging “targeted support to the Speaking in the ceremony to appreciate the destroyed in three months. pressure exerted by the US and this is the fact that the sectors that have been more directly affected”. entrepreneurs, Araqchi said that after the U.S. withdrew Saying that Iran should resist the pressures, he said that US administration will have to admit, he said. Singapore’s GDP growth dropped from 3.1% in from the international agreement of the Joint the enemy will not spare any effort to pressure Iran. We are determined to bring the enemy to the 2018 to 0.7% in 2019, largely due to disruptions to Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), statistics Referring to the assassination of Lieutenant General negotiation table; President Rouhani underlined, electronics exports caused by the China-US trade war. predicted that the Iranian economy will be totally Qasem Soleimani by the U.S. army in Baghdad on adding that all statistics indicate that Iran has made January 3, they even assassinated legends and heroes, great achievements in energy, agriculture, tourism, but Iran will continue its path with power, Araqchi said. mines, education, and other parts. Tehran Strongly... He said that many countries are impressed at how People are to play an active presence in the FROM PAGE 1 Iran is resisting the pressures, adding that as Iran made upcoming parliamentary elections as such maximum the enemies disappointed in the military, we should do presence will be to Iran’s benefit and this will Meanwhile on Saturday, Foreign Minister Mohammad The top Iranian diplomat emphasized that Saudi the same thing in the economy too. disappoint the U.S., he said. Javad Zarif said Saudi Arabia and the United Arab officials “softened their rhetoric for a couple of weeks” Araqchi said that the enemies should know that A sound elections campaign will bring more people Emirates are not willing to defuse tensions with Iran after General Soleimani’s assassination because they sanctions have no fruits because Iranian entrepreneurs to the ballot boxes, President Rouhani said. maybe because the United States has warned them were worried about the Islamic Republic’s response. make us needless of any products. Throughout history, various governments have against holding any dialog with the Islamic Republic. “As soon as I said our response is concluded they Touching the issue of the coronavirus, he said that no exchanged messages between the Islamic Republic of “It is one or two countries, Saudi Arabia and the thought it would be okay to start again,” he added. case of the virus has been detected in Iran so far, Iran and Saudi Arabia and we have always admitted that United Arab Emirates, who want to have tension in our When asked if he thought that maybe the United adding that the quarantined students who were taken there is no complex problem between the two countries region,” Zarif said while speaking in the panel States had warned the Saudis against ant dialogue, home from the infected areas of China will join their not to be resolved and anytime Saudi voices readiness, discussion ‘A conversation with Iran’ during the 56th Zarif said,” I think they did.” families soon. talks could be initiated, President Rouhani said. Munich Security Conference (MSC) in Germany. The main problem in the region for Saudi Arabia is He added that several regional countries, including the issue of Yemen and it is very important for them Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Iraq, have responded to Late Mirzakhani... how to deal with the issue, he said, adding that the Iran’s Hormuz peace initiative aimed at ensuring FROM PAGE 1 Saudi King made a big mistake in dealing with security in the Persian Gulf. Yemen as they assumed they can capture the country He noted that Iranian President Hassan Rouhani had Mirzakhani, who was a Stanford University professor, once said of his research that the more she “spent time on within weeks or months. written to king of Saudi Arabia, king of Bahrain, the UAE mathematics, the more excited I became.” She also recalled loving “the excitement of discovery and enjoyment These were among grave mistakes of Saudi Arabia president, the emir of Kuwait, the emir of Qatar and the late of understanding something new, the feeling of being on top of a hill, and having a clear view.” which created problems for itself as well as Yemen and sultan of Oman as well as the president and prime minister The Breakthrough Prize Foundation established a new award to honor Mirzakhani after her death. The they committed an unprecedented massacre in the of Iraq, as part of Iran’s efforts to step up diplomatic 50,000-dollar Maryam Mirzakhani New Frontiers Prize would be awarded to outstanding early career women country, President Rouhani said. If Saudi Arabia stops contacts to boost neighborly cooperation on regional peace, scientists in the field of mathematics, according to the foundation. aggression in Yemen, grounds for talks and reconciliations emphasizing that only “three of them did not reply.” UN Women also honored Chinese pharmaceutical chemist Tu Youyou, whose discovery of a medicine for will be created as Yemen is one of the most important Elsewhere in his speech, Zarif said Iran received a malaria has saved millions of lives across the world. Tu and two of her colleagues won the Nobel Prize in issues in this respect, the Iranian president said. message from Saudi Arabia after the January assassination Physiology or Medicine in 2015. She became the first Chinese Nobel laureate of this category and the first Commenting on the Hormuz Peace Endeavor (HOPE) of Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani by U.S. forces Chinese woman to receive a Nobel Prize in any category. initiative, he pointed out that the regional peace and in Iraq “but, we followed it up, they didn’t.” UN Women also named Kiara Nirghin, the South African winner of the 2016 Google Science Fair for creating security is impossible without Iran’s efforts as well as In their message, the Saudis said that “we want to a super absorbent polymer that can retain over 100 times its mass when she was only 19. presence. Hormuz Peace Endeavour was put forward at have a dialog based on respect” with Iran, he said, Katherine Johnson, 101 years old, was another mathematician honored by UN Women. An African-American 74th UNGA, he said, adding the initiative had been sent adding, “We said immediately. Same day we said yes, NASA scientist, Johnson was one of NASA’s “human computers” whose calculations helped send American to the United Nations Secretary-General as well as the no response.” astronauts into orbit in the 1960s and the Moon in 1969. regional nations in order to participate. Coleman Strolls to 60m Licence Holder: Sokhan Gostar Institute Rybakina Reaches Switchboard: E-Mail Address: Victory at U.S. Indoor (+98) (21) 44253448 [email protected] Third Final of 2020 ISSN 1024-6053 EW YORK (Dispatches) – U.S. sprint star Christian Public Relations Tel: OSCOW (Dispatches) - Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina P.O. Box: 15875-8551 Coleman overcame a sluggish start before sweeping to (+98)(21) 44253450 fought back to beat Maria Sakkari in Saint Petersburg on N Address: No 13, Pajouhesh St., M Editorial Board: 44253449 Saturday and reach her third WTA final of the season from only victory in the 60 metres in a world leading time at the USA Goletan II St, Goletan St.Marzdaran four events, where she will face second seed Kiki Bertens. Indoor Championships on Saturday. Public Relations Fax: Blvd., Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran Coleman, 23, stumbled out of the blocks but quickly got into his The 20-year-old Rybakina, who won the Hobart International (+98)(21) 44253395 Printed by:Honar Sarzmin Sabz stride to power home in 6.37secs, just outside his own world in January after losing in the Shenzhen Open final, beat Greek Ditributed by: Advertising Department: sixth seed Sakkari 3-6, 7-5, 6-1. record of 6.34secs set on the same track in Albuquerque, New Cities of Iran Cultural and Tel/Fax:(+98) (21) 44253335-9/44253234 World number eight Bertens battled past home hope Mexico in 2018. The blistering time easily bettered Coleman’s Website: Artistic Institute own world leading mark for 2020 of 6.48secs set in Friday’s heats. http://www.irannewsdaily.com Managing Director: Fereydoon Taherpour Asl Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-1, 4-6, 6-1 in the second semi-final.

8 IRAN NEWS SPORTS MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2020 Monfils Derrick Jones Jr. Wins Returns to Rotterdam Final OTTERDAM (Dispatches) - For the Rsecond week in a row, Gael Monfils Slam Dunk Contest overcame Filip Krajinovic in semi-final action to reach an indoor ATP Tour HICAGO (Dispatches) - Miami Heat forward Derrick Jones Jr. celebrated his 23rd championship match. Cbirthday by winning the All-Star Slam Dunk Contest, edging Orlando Magic forward Monfils, No. 9 in the FedEx ATP Aaron Gordon in a memorable showdown that required two tiebreaker jams. Rankings, landed 35 winners to move Jones and Gordon each got a perfect 50 on both of their dunks in the final. Then they past Krajinovic 6-4, 7-6(5) and reach his got two more perfect scores on their first jam in the dunk-off. third ABN AMRO World Tennis Jones then took off from just inside the foul line and threw down a windmill jam with Tournament final on Saturday. Monfils his left hand, drawing a 48 from the panel of five judges. is one win away from becoming the first After a short discussion with Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, Gordon brought out man since Robin Soderling in 2011 to 7-foot-5 Boston Celtics rookie Tacko Fall and positioned him near the basket. win back-to-back trophies at the He then took the ball from Fall’s hands on his way to a thunderous dunk. Rotterdam Ahoy. The United Center gasped as the courtside NBA stars celebrated. But Gordon was “It would be great [to win this title awarded a 47, giving the victory to Jones. again]. It would be, for me, unbelievable. Gordon also lost a memorable dunk contest to Zach LaVine in 2016. Siakam in the first two rounds on the obstacle course. Sabonis advanced with victories It would be the first time to win two titles Meanwhile Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield made a late surge to win the over defending champion Jayson Tatum and Milwaukee’s Khris Middleton. in a row and actually even the first time to NBA 3-Point Contest. The 22-year-old Adebayo is in the middle of a breakout season, averaging 15.8 points, win two titles in the same season, so it Hield nailed a two-point money ball from the corner to finish with 27 points, edging 10.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 54 games for the Heat. would be huge for me,” said Monfils. Phoenix Suns All-Star Devin Booker by one in the final round. The NBA has renamed its All-Star Game MVP award in honor of Kobe Bryant. With his third ATP Head2Head win Hield is one of the few bright spots for struggling Sacramento, averaging 20.4 points Commissioner Adam Silver announced the move on Saturday. Bryant and his 13-year- against Krajinovic, Monfils has now while shooting about 39 percent from 3-point range. old daughter Gianna were among nine people killed when their helicopter crashed into the reached the championship match in each Washington’s Davis Bertans opened the side of a mountain near Los Angeles on Jan. 26. of his three most recent visits to the second and final round with a 22, before Bryant became the youngest player to ever play in an All-Star Game when he made his opening ATP 500 event of the year. Since Edmund, Seppi Booker eliminated him. debut in 1998 at age 19. He made the All-Star team 18 times during his stellar career with 2016, Monfils has won 13 of 14 matches Defending champion Joe Harris of the the Los Angeles Lakers, winning the MVP award a record-tying four times. in Rotterdam. Martin Klizan was the last Brooklyn Nets and Chicago’s Zach LaVine Silver says Bryant “is synonymous with NBA All-Star and embodies the spirit of this player to defeat Monfils at this event in To Meet in Final were eliminated after they failed to crack global celebration of our game.” the 2016 championship match. EW YORK (AP) — Kyle Edmund the top three in the first round. Nfeels the strength back in his body, Five racks with five balls each were set the kind a player needs for those up around the perimeter — two in the moments when he has to dig his deepest. corner, two on the wings and one up top. Robinson Thunders to Kranjska And with his health returning, his Four of those racks had four balls worth game is looking good again, too. one point each plus a multi-colored Edmund powered into his first ATP final two-point ball. The other had nothing Gora Giant Slalom Win since 2018, beating Miomir Kecmanovic but moneyballs. 6-1, 6-4 on Saturday at the New York Open. There were also two green balls worth IENNA (Dispatches) - Kiwi teenager Alice Robinson produced a barnstorming second run A day after all four quarterfinals went three points set up six feet behind the Vfor a thrilling victory in the World Cup giant slalom race at Kranjska Gora in Slovenia on three sets, Edmund made quick work of 3-point line. Saturday, pushing Petra Vlhova into second. the first semifinal at the Nassau Veterans Miami’s Bam Adebayo has won the This was a second World Cup win for the 18-year-old Robinson, who stunned three-time overall Memorial Coliseum. The No. 8 seed All-Star skills challenge. champion Mikaela Shiffrin in the season-opening giant slalom at Soelden last October. broke Kecmanovic’s serve on his first Adebayo narrowly defeated Indiana’s American star Shiffrin is taking a break from the circuit following the death of her father earlier this month. two attempts en route to a 5-0 lead in the Domantas Sabonis in the final in a matchup Robinson, the diminutive giant slalom junior world champion, was second behind Vlhova on the first run as hard snow and bright first set, then won the final nine points of All-Star big men. He shared a hug with sunshine saw many competitors bouncing and clattering around the 42 gates. after trailing 4-3 in the second. former Heat star Dwyane Wade after The 24-year-old slalom specialist Vlhova was 0.24sec faster than Robinson after the opening run and looking good. “Just my resilience I think in the end accepting the trophy. But the New Zealander was in a class of her own in the late run, crouching with a low centre of gravity as she powered home more proved a little too much,” Edmund said. Adebayo eliminated 2018 champion than half a second faster than anyone else. “It’s a tough hill and the snow was really hard, but it was similar to Soelden and even if a He will be looking for his second career Spencer Dinwiddie and Raptors star Pascal mistake cost me the lead in the first run I felt great going up in the ski lift,” Robinson said. title Sunday when he faces Andreas Seppi, who beat Jason Jung 6-3, 6-2 to move within a victory of his first title since 2012. Edmund climbed as high as No. 14 in the rankings — ending Andy Murray’s lengthy reign as the top British player — in October Schwartzman Barcelona 2018. He reached his lone Grand Slam semifinal earlier that year at the Australian Open and won his only title near the end of Outlasts Cuevas Edge Gritty that season in Antwerp, Belgium. But he battled a left knee injury in 2019 and tumbled more than 60 spots in the rankings within a year. In Buenos Aires Getafe UENOS AIRES (Dispatches) - The ARCELONA (Dispatches) - A slick Liverpool Overcome Norwich Btop seed suffered a left groin injury BAntoine Griezmann strike set Barcelona late in his marathon win over the on their way against Getafe in La Liga on Uruguayan Friday evening, but prevailed Saturday before they survived a late onslaught To Open Up 25-Point Lead in three hours and 42 minutes. from the gritty visitors to win 2-1. ONDON (Dispatches) - Sadio Less than 24 hours after winning his opener in Buenos Aires, top-seeded Diego The result leaves Barcelona trailing on goal-difference atop La Liga before leaders Real LMane struck as Liverpool overcame Schwartzman escaped with another taxing victory to the delight of his home fans. Madrid’s home game with Celta Vigo. Storm Dennis and feisty basement club The world No. 14 fended off four match points—and a left groin injury—to squeak In a physically engaging game, Barca star Jordi Alba limped off in the first half. Norwich to extend their lead at the top past Pablo Cuevas, 5-7, 7-6 (11), 7-5, in three hours and 42 minutes on Friday Alba, the club tweeted after the game, “is suffering from a right adductor muscle injury of the Premier League table to 25 points evening. Schwartzman sustained the injury when he reached match point up 5-4 in the and will be undergoing further tests.” on Saturday. third set and it remains to be seen whether he will be able to recover in time for his The Catalan giants have a Champions League last-16 game away to Napoli on Tuesday. Jurgen Klopp’s runaway league leaders final four meeting with first-time ATP semifinalist Pedro Sousa. In a pair of tweets Barcelona forwards Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele are both out with long-term injuries. were short of their fluent best during Schwartzman posted, the 27-year-old said he was examined afterwards and will make Fed by a masterful through ball from Lionel Messi, Griezmann’s finish was perfect as he their 1-0 victory but returned immediately a final decision Saturday morning. clipped the ball over onrushing goalkeeper David Soria on 33 minutes. to winning ways after their winter break. All four of Cuevas’ opportunities to close out the clash came in the second set tiebreaker, “I’ve been here seven months and have started to fit in and build an understanding (with They are galloping towards their first at 6-5, 9-8, 10-9, and 11-10. Though Schwartzman’s mobility was clearly hampered late Messi),” said French World Cup winner Griezmann. league title for 30 years and can also in the decider, the Uruguayan tightened up once more, double faulting to end the marathon. “We are getting used to each other and it will continue to get better with time.” dream of a treble to match Manchester He was bidding to defeat Schwartzman for the third straight time at a Golden Swing event Sergi Roberto doubled the scores six minutes after the opener, firing into the bottom corner United’s achievement in 1999. dating back to 2017. from a cross by Alba’s replacement Junior Firpo.