Rohani Seeks 'Channel'
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UK £2 Issue 197, Year 4 March 17, 2019 www.thearabweekly.com EU €2.50 The significance The scourge of Algeria’s of smoking in protests the Arab world Pages 4,7 Page 20 Rohani seeks ‘channel’ in Iraq to bypass US sanctions ► Rohani’s meeting with Iraq’s most senior Shia cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, was likely an attempt to mend fences with Iraqi Shias critical of Tehran’s influence in Iraq. Mamoon Alabbasi ing heavy influence on Iraqi politi- didn’t exist then Baghdad and the cians, Iran is second to Turkey in Kurdistan region would have defi- terms of importing goods to Iraq. nitely fallen and ISIS would domi- London Although European countries ob- nate the region,” he said. jected to the sanctions imposed by The decision for Rohani to visit s Iran begins to feel the the United States, European com- Iraq, his first to the neighbouring pinch of sanctions im- panies are afraid of doing business country since becoming president posed by the United with Iran because it could expose in 2013, could be indicative of Teh- A States, Iranian leaders are them to penalties from Washing- ran’s concern about US sanctions working to secure stronger com- ton.” and their possible effects on the mercial ties with Iraq and dissuade “Whatever sector you look at, Iraqi government’s policies. Baghdad from abiding by punitive companies will keep in mind be- Rohani boasted that “relations measures against Tehran. ing cut off from the US financial between Iran and Iraq are special” Iranian President Hassan Rohani system when deciding whether to but in the past four years it was visited Iraq March 11-13 with a large trade with Iran,” Mehdi Varzi, an oil a military figure — al-Quds Force delegation of businessmen and pol- consultant who previously worked commander Major-General Qas- iticians. at the state-run National Iranian Oil sem Soleimani — who met with top Rohani and Iraqi Prime Minister Company, told Reuters. politicians in Iraq, not the Iranian Adel Abdul-Mahdi signed several The United States has granted president. memorandums of understanding Iraq, along with several other coun- Rohani’s meeting with Iraq’s on trade and oil as well as for build- tries, a waiver to continue doing most senior Shia cleric, Grand Aya- ing a railway linking Iraq’s southern business with Iran. That waiver tollah Ali al-Sistani, was likely an Iraqi oil city of Basra to Iran’s bor- will expire at the end of March for attempt to mend fences with Iraqi der town of Shalamcheh. The two Iraq and it is unknown whether the Shias critical of Tehran’s influence leaders also agreed to make visas United States will renew it. in Iraq. In the past few years, there for businessmen and investors free US Special Representative for has been a rising sentiment against of charge. Iran Brian Hook questioned Ro- Iran — even among Iraq’s Shia- hani’s motives for visiting Iraq. “I dominated south — for its support Brian Hook, think what Iran would ultimately to allegedly corrupt politicians and US special like to see happen is Iraq turn into militias, which protesters say are representative a province of Iran,” Hook told Al- responsible for the country’s woes. for Iran hurra TV. A statement from Sistani’s office Watheq al-Hishami, director of did not shy away from addressing “I think what Iran would the Iraq Group for Strategic Stud- popular Iraqi concerns over Iran. ultimately like to see happen ies think-tank, told the Financial Sistani welcomed “any steps to is Iraq turn into a province of Times that “Iran wants to pressure strengthen Iraq’s relations with its Iran.” Baghdad not to adhere to the [US] neighbours… based on respect for sanctions.” the sovereignty of the countries Iranian Oil Minister Bijan and no interference in domestic af- Looking for a way out. Iranian President Hassan Rohani (C) Iraq was “another channel for Zanganeh criticised Baghdad in fairs… The most important chal- visits a site in Najaf, Iraq, where Iran’s Ayatollah Ruhollah Iran to bypass America’s unjust February for failing to pay a $2 bil- lenges facing Iraq are fighting cor- Khomeini spent time while in exile. (dpa) sanctions… this trip will provide lion debt for energy imports. During ruption, improving services and opportunities for Iran’s economy,” Rohani’s visit, some $200 million of keeping weapons in the hands of a senior Iranian official accompany- that debt had reportedly been paid. the state and its security services.” ties with Tehran, it remains to be think-tank European Council on ing Rohani told Reuters. Rohani hinted that it’s time for Experts said even a willing Iraq seen how much it can ease Iran’s Foreign Relations’ website. Officials from the two countries Iraq to pay Iran back for its support is unable to save Iran from its eco- pains, especially at a time when said they wanted to increase bi- to Baghdad in the fight against the nomic woes. Iraq is facing its own challenges in Mamoon Alabbasi is Deputy lateral trade from $12 billion per Islamic State (ISIS). “If the sup- “While Baghdad is set to resist the post-ISIS reconstruction era,” Managing Editor and Online Editor year to $20 billion. Despite wield- port of the Islamic Republic of Iran US pressure and maintain close wrote Ellie Geranmayeh for the of The Arab Weekly. New Zealand bloody mosque attacks translate far-right’s anti-migration, anti-Muslim rhetoric Mahmud el-Shafey “The Great Replacement,” consisted importantly, my blood is European,” phobia,” Organisation of Islamic Co- sacre in Europe since World War II. of anti-immigration and anti-Muslim Tarrant wrote. operation Secretary-General Yousef In his manifesto, Tarrant claims to far-right rhetoric. Throughout the manifesto, it is Bin Ahmed al-Othaimeen said in a have had “brief contact” with Brei- London “Mass immigration will disenfran- clear that Tarrant’s grievances were release. vik and even received a “blessing” chise us, subvert our nations, destroy global, not local. His objectives were Indicators pointed to the impor- for the Christchurch attack from n what New Zealand Prime Min- our communities, destroy our ethnic also international, demonstrating the tant role played by technology in Tar- Breivik’s associates. ister Jacinda Ardern described binds, destroy our cultures, destroy rising global influence of far-right, rant’s radicalisation. He was known After the New Zealand attack, as one of the country’s “darkest our people,” Tarrant wrote. “We anti-immigration views. to frequent internet message boards Australian Prime Minister Scott Mor- I days,” at least 49 worshippers must crush immigration and deport After the attack, several countries, known for radical views. He used the rison, an Evangelical Christian and were killed and many others injured those invaders living on our soil. It’s including the United States, the Unit- same message board to ensure that leader of the country’s centre-right in an unprecedented shooting in not just a matter of prosperity but the ed Kingdom and France, announced his manifesto was published. Liberal Party who has been outspo- the Pacific nation that targeted two very survival of our people.” increased security measures for The perpetrator made use of ken about immigration, confirmed mosques in Christchurch. Despite being born in Australia, mosques in their country, apparently technology during the attack it- he had been briefed on Tarrant’s The attack March 15 on the Al-Noor which has had its own migration cri- fearing copycat attacks. self, including posting a horrifying dossier. and Linwood mosques in New Zea- sis in recent years, Tarrant appears to World leaders rushed to condemn 17-minute live stream on Facebook “It is the work of hate, I’ve got no land’s third most populous city was have taken inspiration from Europe the Christchurch mosque attacks, as well as tweeting images of weap- other way to describe it,” Morrison broadcast live over Facebook. where far-right anti-immigration with many viewing it in light of rising ons and equipment before the at- said. “What’s born of hate is never Brenton Tarrant, a 28-year-old Aus- stances are on the rise and where he anti-immigration and anti-Muslim tack. good.” tralian national, has been charged is reported to have travelled widely. sentiment. The attack, as well as views ex- with murder in the shootings. Tar- “The origins of my language is Eu- “The brutal crime had shocked pressed in Tarrant’s manifesto, re- Mahmud el-Shafey is an Arab rant described himself as an “ethno- ropean, my culture is European, my and hurt the feelings of all Muslims called Norwegian far-right terrorist Weekly correspondent in London. nationalist” in a “manifesto.” political beliefs are European, my around the world and served as a Anders Behring Breivik who killed 77 The lengthy document, posted philosophical beliefs are European, further warning on the obvious dan- people with a van bomb and shoot- online before the attack and titled my identity is European and, most gers of hate, intolerance and Islamo- ing in Norway in 2011, the worst mas- Editorial page 6 2 March 17, 2019 Cover Story Iran Iraq Official welcome cannot hide Iraqis’ misgivings about visit officials, including Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who made a 4-day visit to Iraq in Azhar Al-Rubaie January. Just prior to that, Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh and Iranian Energy Minister Reza Ar- dakanian were in Baghdad. ranian President Hassan The successive high-profile vis- Rohani’s visit to Iraq con- its by Iranian officials are meant to cluded with the two coun- counter the US push for sanctions tries signing trade deals but, for Iraqis who blame Iran for touted as showcasing the their country’s woes, there is no solid relationship between sympathy for Tehran.