Iran-Syria Joint Manufacturing According to the Deputy Head of the Department of Environment Iran Factory (SIAMKO) Resumes Its Is Devising a National Action Plan, Production Line Once Again After In Cooperation With International Eight Years of Suspension Due Marine Organizations, to Protect To the Crisis in Syria Seals Living in the Caspian Sea

VOL. XXIV, No. 6591 TEHRAN Price 10,000 Rials www.irannewsdaily.com SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2019 - DEY 23, 1397

4 2 DOMESTIC 3 DOMESTIC INTERNATIONAL 8 SPORTS Iran Stands Firm by Its Natural Gas Output Several Injured Doncic Hits Big 3-Pointer Foreign Policy Principles At 800 mcm/d In Paris Blast To Sink Wolves > SEE PAGE 2 > SEE PAGE 3 > SEE PAGE 4 > SEE PAGE 8 Leader Calls for Students Europe Not to Allow U.S. to Determine Jihad for Independence Tehran Dismisses Pompeo’s Trade Relations With Iran TEHRAN (MNA) – In a message to the fifty-third BRUSSELS (Dispatches) - The High Representative of meeting of the Union of University Students Islamic the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Associations in Europe, Ayatollah Khamenei stressed: “Groundless” Accusations Policy, Federica Mogherini, says the United States It is a jihad in the path of Allah for Iranian students — cannot impose its policies on the 28-nation bloc’s anywhere in the world—who join the movement of “legitimate trade” relations with Iran. contributing to the development of the country, moving “We Europeans cannot accept that a foreign power it towards independence from foreigners. – even our closest friend and ally – makes decisions over our legitimate trade with another country,” The full text of the message which was recited by Mogherini said in an interview with the European Hujjatul Islam Ezhei this morning at the Islamic Council on Foreign Relations published on Friday. Center of Hamburg is the following: She added that the EU is working with the rest of the international community to keep alive the landmark In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, nuclear agreement, officially known as the Joint the Most Merciful Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), despite the US unilateral move to pull out from the deal. The Iran nuclear Dear young individuals, deal “has so far been implemented in full, as certified by We know that you, the university students, are the best the International Atomic Energy Agency in 13 consecutive hopes for the future of our country. What everyone needs to reports,” she said. U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew know is that today— by God’s Grace— numerous students his country in May from the historic Iran nuclear deal and of yesterday are engaged in great tasks and deeply feel the decided to re-impose unilateral sanctions against Tehran. joy and satisfaction of contributing to the advancement of Under the deal, reached between Iran and six major knowledge and technology in their home country. powers - the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Our today’s university students--in any corner of the Russia and China - Tehran agreed to put limits on its world-- have the opportunity to join the devout nuclear program in exchange for the removal of assemblies of contributors that serve the country, in nuclear-related sanctions. See Page 7 order to make the country completely independent from IRAN NEWS POLITICAL DESK foreigners. This, when done with sincerity and for the sake of God, is jihad in the path of God. You, the youth TEHRAN - Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi has rejected the “groundless” accusations and remarks in the Islamic Associations, can lead this jihad. made by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in the Egyptian capital of Cairo. U.S. Rules out Further I ask God to bestow increased success on you. “The United States and particularly, its current radical regime, due to its old hostility towards the Iranian nation and its opposition to all measures adopted by the previous (U.S.) administration…, is following a path which cannot be expected to bear any benefit for the U.S.,” Qasemi said in a Friday statement. Waivers on Iran Oil Imports Syria Says Israel Fired He said the U.S. is following the path under the influence of notorious and defeated groups, deceived by certain ABU DHABI (Reuters) - The United States will grant currents and lobby groups. no more waivers for Iranian oil after the reimposition The current U.S. administration is desperate and angry because it cannot find a replacement for a “comprehensive and of U.S. sanctions, the U.S. special representative for Missiles Toward Damascus legitimate” nuclear agreement it has scrapped unilaterally, he said, stressing that the JCPOA was a result of negotiation. Iran said on Saturday, underlining Washington’s push Qasemi further criticized the U.S.’ “paradoxical” stance on Iran and said Washington has maximized its hostility to choke off Tehran’s sources of income. BEIRUT (Reuters) – The Syrian state news agency said towards the Iranian nation while at the same time, it hypocritically pretends to support negotiations with Tehran. “Iran is now increasingly feeling the economic isolation Israeli warplanes fired a number of missiles toward the “Mr Pompeo once again clearly announced the U.S. regime is an enemy of Iran, and this is nothing but hostility that our sanctions are imposing...We do want to deny the Damascus area on Friday, triggering Syrian air defenses towards the Iranian nation.” “He [Pompeo] should well know and understand that we will defend our national regime revenues,” Brian Hook told a news conference in that shot down most of them. and strategic interests against the enemies of Iran and the Iranian nation with all our power,” he added. the United Arab Emirates capital Abu Dhabi. “The results of the aggression so far were limited to a “Iran has always demonstrated that it demands peaceful coexistence with its neighbors, but the U.S. behavior “Eighty percent of Iran’s revenues come from oil strike on one of the warehouses at Damascus airport,” the shows that it is seeking to sow discord and create new chaos in the region,” he added, highlighting the need for exports and this is (the) number one state sponsor of SANA news agency cited a military source as saying. The regional nations to remain vigilant in the face of the US officials’ deceit and divisive policies. terrorism.We want to deny this regime the money it attack took place at 11:15 p.m.(2115 GMT), it said. Speaking at the American University in Cairo on Thursday, Pompeo claimed that Iran is a “common enemy” of needs,” Hook said. Tensions between Iran and the United Syrian state media broadcast footage of what it said were the US and other countries in the region. States have increased since May, when U.S. President the air defenses firing, with bright lights seen shooting across “President Trump has reversed our willful blindness to the danger of the [Iranian] regime and withdrew from Donald Trump abandoned a 2015 nuclear deal between the night sky. Explosions were heard in one of the videos. the failed nuclear deal, with its false promises,” he added. Tehran and major powers, saying the accord was flawed Israel has mounted attacks in Syria as part of its effort Meanwhile Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif criticised Poland on Friday for jointly hosting a global in Tehran’s favor, and reintroduced sanctions on Iran that to counter the influence carved out there by Iran, which summit with the United States focussed on the Middle East, particularly Iran, calling it a “desperate anti-Iran circus”. had been lifted under the pact. has supported President Bashar al-Assad in the war that Earlier on Friday Washington announced that the summit would be held in Warsaw from Feb. 13 to Feb. 14, See Page 7 erupted in 2011. The last Israeli attack reported by and Pompeo said the meeting would focus on stability and security in the Middle East, including on the Syrian state media was on Dec. 25, when a missile “important element of making sure that Iran is not a destabilizing influence.” attack wounded three Syrian soldiers. “Reminder to host/participants of anti-Iran conference: those who attended last U.S. anti-Iran show are either India’s Oil Imports A senior Israeli official said in September Israel had dead, disgraced, or marginalized. And Iran is stronger than ever.” carried out more than 200 attacks against targets in He went on to write that “while Iran saved Poles in WWII, it now hosts desperate anti-Iran circus.” Syria in the last two years. From Iran Still Low NEW DELHI (Dispatches) - Indian oil imports from Iran plunged by 41 percent on the year to just over 300,000 Iran Slams France for Azmoun at the Double to Seal Iran’s Qualification bpd in December, roughly around the level of Iranian oil India is restricted to buy under the U.S. waiver, allowing ABU DHABI (Dispatches) - Sardar Azmoun underlined his status as Iran’s star attraction as Carlos Queiroz’s it to continue importing oil from Tehran, according to ship ‘Irresponsible’ Missile Claims side made light work of Vietnam in a 2-0 Asian Cup win. tracking data reviewed by Reuters. A goal in each half from star forward Sardar Azmoun sealed a routine 2-0 win for Iran over Vietnam and a Compared to November, India’s oil imports from Iran TEHRAN (IFP) - Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram place in the knockout stages of the Asian Cup for Carlos Queiroz’s side. increased by 9.4 percent in December after some Qasemi has criticized his French counterpart’s remarks Azmoun was on target during his country’s 5-0 rout of Yemen and headed the opening goal at Al Nahyan cargoes had been delayed in November due to lack of about Iran’s missile program, urging Paris not to repeat the Stadium seven minutes before half-time. tankers, according to the data. incorrect claims of those opposed to the Iran nuclear deal. Iran’s superior quality was more tellingly felt after In November, India’s oil imports from Iran dropped to “Contrary to the French Foreign Ministry the break, with the Rubin Kazan attacker sealing the a one-year-low, plunging by 41 percent from October spokeswoman’s claim, Iran’s missile program has points in the 69th minute. due to the U.S. sanctions on Tehran’s oil. Iran also neither been established for non-conventional Back-to-back losses mean Vietnam will need a dropped to sixth place on India’s largest oil suppliers purposes, nor the country’s natural right to handsome victory over Yemen in their final group list, from fourth in October, losing market share to strengthen its scientific and defensive capabilities game to retain any chance of qualification. fellow OPEC members Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and the as developed in the form of missile program is in Park Hang-seo’s side were easy on the eye during United Arab Emirates (UAE). violation of [UN Security Council] Resolution the opening stages but lacked cutting edge, with In November, the month in which the U.S. sanctions 2231,” said Qasemi in a Friday statement. Azmoun showing them how it should be done. snapped back, India’s oil imports from Iran averaged Iran has not been prevented from developing Vietnam keeper Dang Van Lam kept out his 26th 276,000 bpd, as India had cut back significantly its defensive and conventional missile program and those minute strike but was left scampering across his goal in allocations for November amid uncertainties over who with scientific application in any part of the vain when Saman Ghoddos dug out a cross for Azmoun might be getting a U.S. waiver to continue importing Resolution, he added. to convert at the far post. See Page 7 See Page 7 oil from Iran. See Page 7 2 IRAN NEWS DOMESTIC SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2019

TEHRAN - Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is to travel to Iraq at the head of a high- ranking politico-economic delegation today, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi said. “Senior executives from dozens of state-run and private entrepreneurial companies will accompany the foreign minister in this trip,” Qasemi said Saturday. During the important regional trip, Zarif will meet with high-ranking Iraqi officials and FM to Visit Iraq Today participate in joint trade conferences in several cities including Karbala and Sulaymaniyah, the spokesman said. Iran Stands Firm by Its Websites Review Foreign Policy Principles 242 Afghan Convicts Extradited TEHRAN (MNA) – Head of Iran’s Foreign Policy Strategic IRNA* - Iran has extradited another 242 Afghan Council Kamal Kharrazi said Sat. that Iran has not changed the convicts to their country, the Iranian deputy principles of its foreign policy since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. minister of justice said. ‘According to the extradition treaty signed by Kamal Kharrazi, head of Iran’s Foreign Policy Strategic Council, who has also served the ministers of justice of Afghanistan and Iran as the Iranian foreign minister before, made the remarks in an interview with ISNA in Tehran about two months ago, 700 convicts news agency as the country prepares itself to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the are to be extradited to Afghanistan until the end Islamic Revolution in Iran. of the Iranian calendar year (March 20), said “There have been no fundamental changes in the policies of the Islamic Mahmoud Abbasi. Republic of Iran. Based on the principle of our independence and in accordance With the 201 Afghan convicts that were sent to with the principle of the support for the oppressed nations, and the principle of their country last week, the number of the extradited the stability of the country, as well as the revival of Islamic values, we have convicts has already reached 443, he added. remained steadfast,” Kharrazi said. The Iranian official said that the crimes of the “There have been ups and downs for various reasons, but in general, we have stood convicts were mostly drug-related and illegal up to our principles,” the former Iranian foreign minister added. from our support for the oppressed people, while this is our duty under the entrance into Iran. “Of course, the root cause of our problems with countries like the United constitution.” These convicts are going to serve the remaining States is that they do not want to tolerate the existence of the Islamic Republic He added “the Constitution of the country provides us with these parameters; we period of their sentences in Afghanistan, he said. of Iran, and some of them openly say we want to change the regime, while some must see how loyal we have been to the Constitution.” He added that extradition of such a big number of of them covertly talk of this,” he added Kharrazi, who is also an advisor to Iranian Leader, further noted “we should prisoners tends to be unprecedented. The former Iranian foreign minister said “many of our problems arise from our learn from our mistakes in the foreign policy and should try not to make those This is taking place under the shadow of independent foreign policy as well as our willingness to preserve our values, also mistakes again.” Iran’s active diplomacy and the country’s judicial and legal practices, the Iranian judicial official had said earlier. Shamkhani Slams Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant Supplying Nat’l Grid Steadily Iran at Peak of Strength Anti-Iran Meeting TEHRAN (Tasnim) – An Iranian official said the country’s nuclear power plant near the southern port city of Bushehr has supplied around 5.5 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity to the national grid over the past eight months. IRNA* - Deputy Commander of the Islamic The Bushehr nuclear power plant generated a record amount of 7.4 billion kWh of electricity in the previous Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said that Iran is In Poland Iranian year (March 2017-March 2018), more than 90 percent of which was supplied to the national grid, Hossein now at the peak of authority while the enemies of Ghaffari, an official at the plant said Saturday. the Islamic system have shown overt hostilities He also noted that the power plant was reconnected to the national grid on May 1, 2018, after a temporary against the country over the past 40 years. shutdown for periodic maintenance and fuel reloading, since when it has provided 5.5 billion kWh of electricity TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Secretary of Iran’s ‘Islamic Iran is presently at its best in terms of for the national grid. Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani prowess and this while the enemies of the Islamic In September 2013, Iran took temporary control of its Bushehr nuclear power plant. described the U.S. plan to jointly host a conference establishment have done whatever they had in against Iran in Poland as a sign that the American power against this country (Iran) over the past strategy to mount pressures on Iran through 40 years,’ Brigadier General Ali Fadavi said. sanctions has resulted in failure. The senior IRGC commander reiterated that Iran’s “When one who pushes for sanctions with Organizing Anti-Iran Conference Is a Defeat for Europe enemies are aware and admit that they have not maximum pressure ends up with (holding a) TEHRAN (MNA) – The United States is Pompeo’s plans to counter Iran didn’t obtain the been able to take action against Iran despite their conference and congress, it means that they have trying to prove its dominance over Europe by necessary results in the United States and now he is military preparedness. failed in their bid (to undermine Iran),” Shamkhani organizing anti-Iran conference in Poland and this trying to pursue them in other countries such as Poland, Brigadier General Fadavi reiterated that the told reporters on Saturday. is certainly a defeat for European countries, Iranian MP added. plots and hostilities against the Islamic Iran His comments came after US Secretary of State said Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh. He also urged Iran Foreign Ministry to summon since the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Mike Pompeo announced on Friday that the US Chairman of the National Security and Foreign Policy ambassadors of those countries who are involved in 1979 which are continuing, has no record in plans to jointly host a global conference against Commission of Iranian Parliament told IRNA on such hostile measures. history and the small and big devils despite all Iran next month in Poland. Saturday that U.S. Secretary of state Mike Pompeo was U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday hostilities against the Iranian nation did not The meeting will take place in Warsaw an intelligence officer before becoming a diplomat and that Washington will jointly host a global summit achieve their goals. on February 13-14. hence knows psychological war. focused on Iran and the Middle East next month in Polish capital, Warsaw. Pompeo said the meeting would “focus on Middle Transportation Zone East stability and peace, freedom and security here in Fateh-Class Submarine to Join Iran Nnavy this region, and that includes an important element of ISNA* - The first stage of operation of the making sure that Iran is not a destabilizing influence.” transport zone in southern Tehran has started TEHRAN (ISNA) – Fateh- class submarine will join Iran navy fleet on January 29, Iranian Navy Commander, working, Minister of Roads and Urban Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi announced on Saturday. Development, Mohammad Eslami said. Regarding Iran’s naval squadron deployment to Atlantic Ocean, the commander said, “The mission will soon begin”. Iran, Venezuela Vow Based on the plans, the transport zone is planned He also insisted, “No matter which ocean is determined for our navy to be present at, as all nations can be present to operate with 320 transport companies, while at at international waters and any country that has such naval power can do this”. the first stage, 70 companies are in operation. Commenting on Damavand destroyer’s latest condition, Khanzadi added, “We visited the renovation process of To Expand Ties The transport zone is finished by 45 percent, Damavand destroyer and we hope the TEHRAN (FNA) - Defense Minister Brigadier while some $715 million has been invested in General Amir Hatami, in a meeting with his its development. Venezuelan counterpart Vladimir Padrino López in The set up of the transport zone looks to eliminate U.S. Flee From Syria Means the capital city of Caracas, exchanged views on ways certain traffic and transportation issues in Tehran, to expand bilateral relations. such as: establishing close links between drivers Victory of Resistance Front The meeting was held on the sidelines of the inauguration and shipping companies, reducing pollution levels, ceremony of Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro. caused by vehicle traffic in the city, preventing IRAN NEWS POLITICAL DESK Reviewing the background of cooperation in storage of factory shipments and reducing costs of defense field, both sides reached an agreement on warehousing and freight rates. TEHRAN - Head of Iran’s Supreme National Defense drawing a roadmap. The full completion of the zone will allow to University Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said Sat. that Meanwhile, Hatami invited Padrino López to have gradually remove barges and garages from the U.S.’ withdrawal from war-torn Syria is indicative of a trip to Iran. Tehran, with aim to turn the freed spots into the Resistance Front’s triumph in the region. Venezuelan minister, for his part, described cultural and tourism centers. Head of Iran’s Supreme National Defense University Hatami’s participation in the inauguration Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said the withdrawal of ceremony as a turning point in bilateral relations American troops from Syria is considered as “some of the two countries. Warning to Travelers kind of escape”, adding “the US flee from Syria attests to the victory of the Resistance in this region.” FARS* - Foreign Ministry issued travel advisory “The Americans, whether they accept it or not, have on Saturday, warning nationals of the recent failed, but they are making efforts to pretend that they outbreak of swine flu in Georgia. have not suffered such a defeat,” he added. Iran Payment Channel to Be Finalized Soon A notice published on Foreign Ministry’s portal President Donald Trump last month unexpectedly TEHRAN (Tasnim) – German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said “final requirements” for the special purpose today reads, “Regarding the recent outbreak of announced a US troop withdrawal from Syria, with vehicle (SPV), a payment mechanism aimed at facilitating business with Iran in the face of US sanctions, are being swine flu in Georgia, it is advised that Iranian U.S. military spokesman Colonel Sean Ryan announcing clarified and that it will be finalized in the “coming weeks”. citizens refrain from traveling to the country, unless Friday that the pullout had begun. Ryan said he could “I am hopeful that we will be able to finalize the payment channel in the coming weeks,” Maas told Germany’s it is absolutely necessary.” not discuss specific timelines, locations or troop Spiegel Online on Friday. Since the end of last year, the flu virus, mainly movements, “out of concern for operational security.” He added, “We are working urgently to clarify the final requirements -- such as determining the country where identified as the H1N1 type, has been spreading Meanwhile, Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the mechanism will be headquartered. That isn’t easy in a confront situation with the U.S. because it is, of course, quickly across Georgia. The virus has so far Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told reporters that trying to exert pressure”. claimed 15 lives in Georgia. if the U.S. claims about exiting Syria were true the In 2018, the EU foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, said that the bloc’s members were working Given the current severe situation across the territory previously controlled by the U.S. should be on a legal entity that would allow businesses to buy oil and conduct other business with Iran in hopes of country, studies at Georgia’s public schools and transferred to the Syrian government. avoiding US sanctions. kindergartens have been postponed until Jan. 21. SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2019 DOMESTIC IRAN NEWS 3

Noon (Zohr) 12:13 Evening (Maghreb) 17:12 1. Closer and closer to mankind comes their Reckoning: yet they heed not and they turn away. 2. Never comes (aught) to them of a renewed Message from their Lord, but they listen to it as in jest PRAYER TIME Tomorrow’s Dawn (Fajr) 05:46 Surah 21. The Prophets ( 1 - 2 ) Tomorrow’s Sunrise 07:14

Natural Gas Output Iranian Entrepreneur Who Imported South Korean Technology IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK

TEHRAN – Two top At 800 mcm/d entrepreneurs from the private IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK sector won the top awards during the third Amin Al-Zarb Awards ceremony organized by Tehran TEHRAN - A senior Iranian energy official said the country was Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture last week. supplying a total of 800 million cubic meters/day of natural gas Hamid Reza Hasheminia is or 5 mbd of oil equivalent. one of the top two winners in the ceremony who received Amin al-Zarb Badge and statuette The CEO of the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC), Hassan Montazer Torbati, Hasheminia is the one who indigenized Samsung held his first press conference on Saturday since he took office in December. be covered by the gas distribution network. Company’s technology. He is considered rather a During the press conference, he said 97 percent of the country’s urban population and The official said Iran was ready to start the gas flow to neighboring Pakistan, young entrepreneur in the country but he has gained 82% of the Iranian citizens in rural areas had access to natural gas supplied by NIGC by adding, “We are prepared to start the exports but we are waiting for the Pakistani part South Korea’s Samsung Company officials’ trust to the national gas distribution network which is one of the world’s most expansive ones. to prepare the infrastructure for the project to complete.” create a huge and important development in the home According to him, 37% of the domestic gas consumption was in the power Regarding ongoing gas exports to Iraq, the official said Iran was currently exporting appliance industry of the country. generation sector, 25% in the household sector, 30% in the industrial sector, and 4% gas to Iraq’s Basra and Baghdad and received its dues accordingly. He could produce different types of Samsung was consumed for production of compressed natural gas (CNG), which accounted for He also said that Iran needed no gas imports currently, adding a dispute with products from vacuums to side-by-side refrigerators. 20-23 million cubic meters per day of gas. Turkmenistan regarding the latter’s disruption of gas flow to Iran’s northern provinces Hasheminia is head of board of directors of Takvin He said Iran had reached self-sufficiency in production of most of the items used in had been taken to international arbitration, adding the case was being pursued Electronics, Sam Electronics and Sam Service which gas refining and distribution industries, adding gas exports could ensure amicable through relevant legal channels. are producers and the exclusive representative for after relations with Iran’s neighbors. Touching on gas exports to Turkey, Montazer Torbati said that both Tehran and sale of services Samsung Company in Iran. The NIGC CEO further predicted that all the Iranian villages would have access to Ankara were keen on continuation of their gas deals give the former’s intentions to He started his business since the 1980s at the time gas by 2021, stating that villages with more than 20 households were prioritized to send gas to Europe through Turkey and the latter’s rising demand for gas. Samsung Company was not so giant company as it is today. Hasheminia due to his intelligence and vision in his business did well and got the license for being exclusive representative of Samsung in Iran. Promoting He started his business as representative of the company Iran, China Maintain Strong Economic Cooperation but it later decided to enter production sector. He is now one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the country IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK Exports, Top Priority The statement was made by the Chinese ministry and received the Zarb al-Amin Award which he merited. of commerce spokesman Gao Feng while speaking The Amin al-Zarb Badge (named after a merchant and For 2019 TEHRAN - Iran and China were hailed for their strong with IRNA. philanthropist who founded the TCCIMA 135 years ago) and close economic relations as the two countries A statement said: “we maintain normal exchanges and statuette, which is given to successful entrepreneurs succeeded in building up their cooperation. and cooperation on the basis of conforming to our and leading thinkers in recognition of their contributions, is Both Iran and China are witnessing an optimistic view obligations under the international law, including in usually also attended by senior officials. on their future relations, as they maintain their ties the fields of economy, trade and energy. This is regardless of the U.S. pressures. beyond reproach.” Iran Exports $200m Worth of Chandeliers Annually BMI Eases Services to Meet Customers’ Demands TEHRAN (MNA) – Islamic Republic of Iran annually exports $200 million worth of chandeliers to neighboring countries, said managing director of chandeliers cooperatives. IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK Mohammadreza Qareh Yazi made the remark on Friday on the sidelines of 26th Iran International Chandeliers & Decorative Lights Exhibition. TEHRAN – The CEO of Bank TEHRAN (IRNA) - Exports will be the driving Yazi said the chandeliers industry can bring foreign currency to country at the moment. Melli Iran (BMI) says the bank is force in Iran’s economic plans in the next Iranian He went on to say that Islamic Republic of Iran is among the top five countries in the field of producing determined to ease banking services year (starting on March 21st), hence promotion of chandeliers and decorative lights. in order to meet its customers’ exports will be among the government’s main Iraq, Turkey, Armenia, Republic of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are among Iran’s main export markets, he said, demands and satisfaction. priorities, Iran’s minister of Industry, Mines and adding, “moreover, Islamic Republic of Iran exports chandeliers and decorative lights to Persian Gulf littoral states, Speaking in a seminar on reviewing Trade said on Saturday. Saudi Arabia, European Union and East Asian countries.” the third quarter performance of the To that end, the government will develop different Mohammad Javad Ghanbari Deputy Head of Iran Intl. Exhibition Company for Exhibition Affairs was the next bank, Dr. Mohammad Reza Hosseinzadeh said that plans, one of which will be providing liquidity speaker who said, “participation of Iranian companies paves suitable way for introducing products and exporting bureaucracy should not hinder offering services for required for production, Reza Rahmani said. them to neighboring countries in particular.” He pointed to Iran’s export of chandeliers to other countries and customers, adding that soon the administrative offices of The government is seeking to use all the resources added, “Iran can bring about more profitability in case of producing raw materials in this industry.” the bank will be given more authority to offer services like at its disposal to address the issue, he added. The 26th Iran International Chandeliers & Decorative Lights Exhibition kicked off in Tehran Permanent issuing guarantees or buying the loans. Rahmani considered increasing production, job International Fairgrounds this morning and will run through Jan. 14. He went on to say that speed in activities is very creation, sales and exports as the main goals of the important in the current competitive world, adding Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade during next that the bank cannot waste its customers’ time year, saying, creating more jobs I dependent on whereas all facilities are for offering legal services enhancing production. Such a goal could be Iran, Hungary to Boost Sports Cooperation to their customers. achieved by boosting exports, he said. TEHRAN (FNA) - Iranian Ambassador to Hungary Gholam competitions to have active presence in the world Hosseinzadeh noted that the weekly performance of Promotion of production is now the most Ali Rajabi Yazdi said that Tehran and Budapest have had federations and use sports figures’ influence to forge all branches and units of the bank is reviewed in the important step which must be taken, and all good cooperation on sports so far, and vowed that the two stronger engagement of nations and governments. board of directors, adding that the board of directors is individuals, institutions and organizations should countries will further increase their interactions in this field. He went on to offer a list of sports programs of Iran determined to retain the valuable stance of the bank in help achieve the goal, the minister said. Rajabi Yazdi said that sports diplomacy is among and Hungary including the second-round qualifiers to the national banking system, noting that it will remove All the problems could be addressed by the people and priorities of Iranian Embassy’s programs in the Eastern the 2017 CEV U18 Volleyball European Championship all hurdles in way of remaining the best. through development of the private sector, Rahmani European nation. – Women, held in Jászberény of Hungary in September He asserted that there are some managers in the board said, adding that experience suggests wherever people In an interview on Thursday, the Iranian diplomat said and Iranian Free Style and Greco Roman national of directors who are skillful in risk management and are involved, problems are solved. regarding the influential role of sports in connecting teams’ presence in the 2018 World Wrestling familiar with laws and regulations. nations and getting them together in a healthy and Championships, held in Budapest from October 20 to Hosseinzadeh added that the power of managers for peaceful environment, sports cooperation between Iran 28, and also presence of Hungarian wrestlers in the selling the excessive assets of the bank has increased Iranian Researchers Build New and Hungary is among priorities of the programs due to World Clubs’ Free-Style Cup Competitions in December and BMI is pioneer in selling its excessive assets. He be implemented by Iranian Embassy in Hungary. along with presence of Iranian National Youth Boxing reiterated that the Second Melli Show will be held System to Decrease Air Pollution He said world states consider sports events as the Team in Hungary World Boxing Competitions are soon where the latest products and services of the TEHRAN (FNA) - Iranian scientists at Imam Khomeini most influential soft power tool and try to hold among sports programs of Iran and Hungary. bank will be offered. University of Qazvin have made a system to reduce the dust and air pollution, using ultrasonic frequency. The new system turns water into very tiny drops by using ultrasonic frequency and then spreads them into the environment after being MSC Registered Favorable Performance in Recent Years combined with the air. The cool moist increases humidity in the IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK news for the company and its subsidiaries like He added that capacities and environment without wetting the objects and Hurmozgan Steel Company. production capacities of the company given its heaviness takes dust, air pollution and TEHRAN – Head of Accounting and Finance He noted that due to good potentials in the sales of have developed in recent years and bad smell down the earth. Department of Mobarakeh Steel Company says the Mobarakeh Steel Company, it will definitely have a some effective steps have been taken The system can be used in food and agricultural company has had good performance in the past quarter good year and it is expected that subsidiary companies for developing the company. industries and is being produced at semi-industrial level. of the year despite some woes like water shortage or of Mobarakeh Steel Company to register positive He pointed to the current condition resulted from Air pollution shortens human lives by more than a sanctions which the company faced. records and performance. sanctions on the steel industry, adding that in such a year, according to a new study from a team of leading Amir Hossein Naderi said that jihadi management of Meanwhile head of public relations office of the condition, those who are in the steel industry should environmental engineers and public health the MSC has played a positive role in managing the company Mr. Mohammad Nazemi Harandi said that have good relations with the industry. researchers. Better air quality could lead to a challenges and woes and report on the performance of the company has registered good performance in Nazemi reiterated that recent summit and exhibition significant extension of lifespans around the world. the company in six months will bear definitely good recent years. on steel industry was a step for boosting the ties. 4 IRAN NEWS INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2019

FBI Opens Probe Canada PM Chastises China Against Trump Over Detention of Two Citizens WASHINGTON (Dispatches) - The Federal Bureau of Investigation opened TORONTO (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on an inquiry in 2017 into whether U.S. President Donald Trump was working Friday chastised China again over the detention of two Canadians and on behalf of Russia, The New York Times reported on Friday. defended his country’s arrest of a senior Chinese executive at the The investigation -- a dual counterintelligence and criminal probe -- was launched request of the United States, which has sparked a diplomatic row after the president fired FBI director James Comey in May 2017, the Times said, between Canada and China. citing anonymous sources. The counterintelligence aspect consisted of determining “It is unfortunate that China has arbitrarily and unfairly detained two whether Trump was knowingly or unknowingly working for Moscow and whether Canadian citizens,” he told reporters in the western Canadian city of Regina he was a threat to national security, the newspaper reported. in Saskatchewan. Venezuela Opposition Plans Incentives for Officers CARACAS (Reuters) - Several Injured in Paris Blast Venezuela’s opposition-led PARIS (Dispatches) - A powerful explosion congress is considering offering destroyed a bakery in central Paris on Saturday legal incentives to military officers morning, injuring several people and blowing out who disavow President Nicolas dozens of nearby windows after a suspected gas Maduro and help lead a transition leak, police and AFP journalists. to a new government, according to Around 200 firefighters were mobilized to battle the four legislators and a draft document seen by Reuters. fire that broke out after the blast and rescue residents in Maduro was sworn in on Thursday for a second term neighboring buildings, Interior Minister Christophe following a disputed 2018 election, triggering a hailstorm Castaner told reporters at the scene. of international criticism that his leadership of the country Police closed off streets in front of Opera theatre as suffering a hyperinflationary collapse is illegitimate. emergency services landed two helicopters in the street, The proposal, which comes in part at the request of high- apparently to evacuate victims. ranking officers on active duty, seeks to ensure that “The toll appears to be high, and severe,” Castaner defectors from the armed forces would not be persecuted said, adding that 100 police officers were blocking off by a future government if they abandon Maduro, according several streets in the area, home to restaurants and to the legislators, who asked not to be identified. tourist attractions like the Musee Grevin wax museum It would apply to officers who “do not obey the orders and the popular Rue des Martyrs. of the man who has usurped the Presidency of the The blast occurred shortly after 9am (0800 GMT), and Republic ... and collaborate with the tradition and was heard by residents and workers several blocks away. re-establishment of constitutional order,” the draft says. “I was sleeping and woke up by the blast wave,” The plan shows the opposition increasingly focussed Claire Sallavuard, who lives on the Rue de Trevise on the military as crucial in removing the ruling where the explosion occurred, told AFP. Socialist Party from power. But the law will almost “All the windows in the apartment exploded, doors certainly be thrown out by the pro-Maduro Supreme were blown off their hinges, I had to walk on the door Court, meaning its legal impact would remain symbolic to leave the room, all the kids were panicking, they as long as Maduro is in office. couldn’t get out of their room,” she said. Opposition leaders have faced significant hurdles in Rescuers eventually used a ladder to evacuate the recruiting military dissidents due to Maduro’s continued family, who lived on the first floor. sway over the armed forces and a crackdown on Police sources said firefighters had already been Cars were overturned by the blast and glass and toward the scene more than an hour later. Prime accused insurgents that human rights groups have said responding to an alert of a gas leak at the site when the rubble was strewn across large swathes of the Minister Edouard Philippe also arrived on the includes torture of officers and abuse of their families. explosion occurred. street, as fire trucks and police continued to race scene to survey the damage. Plans to offer incentives to officers as a way of hastening Maduro’s departure has not been previously reported. Opposition leaders have publicly discussed creating a transition plan, as well as amnesty for military officers who are Poland Arrests already in jail on accusations of conspiring against Maduro - U.S. Begins Withdrawing many of whom the opposition considers political prisoners. Chinese Businessman Congress plans to vote on the 17-page draft document Gear From Syria entitled “Law Governing the Transition to Democracy” Suspected of Spying in the coming weeks, the legislators said. WARSAW (Dispatches) - Poland said Friday it had arrested a Chinese telecoms executive suspected of Macedonia Parliament Agrees spying for China, with local media identifying him as a Huawei director. To Change Country’s Name The move is the latest setback for Huawei, which saw the arrest of the daughter of the firm’s founder in Canada and US efforts to blacklist the company internationally A Polish man “known in the IT sector” was also over security concerns. The Chinese foreign ministry arrested for alleged espionage along with the Chinese told AFP it was “highly concerned” by the arrest. citizen “who is a businessman working for an Huawei said in a terse statement that it was “aware of important telecommunications firm,” said Maciej the situation” and “looking into it”. Wasik, deputy head of Poland’s special services, The Polish announcement comes weeks after Canada quoted by the PAP news agency. WASHINGTON (AFP) - The U.S. military has begun arrested Huawei vice president Meng Wanzhou, who is The investigation “had been going on for a while, and moving non-essential gear out of Syria but is not accused of violating Iran sanctions. had been handled with great care.” withdrawing troops for now, defense officials said Huawei, which was founded by a former Chinese EU spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic refused to amid uncertainty over America’s planned exit from army engineer, is also facing increased scrutiny over its “speculate” when asked Friday if there were any the war-battered nation. alleged links to Chinese intelligence services. concerns about Chinese retaliation. President Donald Trump last month claimed the Countries like the United States, Australia and Japan “We are aware of the reports and we will be indeed in Islamic State group had been defeated in Syria and have blocked Huawei from building their next- touch with the Polish authorities for further information,” SKOPJE (Reuters) - Macedonia’s parliament passed an said all U.S. troops were “coming back now.” generation, super-fast 5G internet networks. she told reporters. amendment to the constitution on Friday to rename the But in the weeks since he gave the order, and the Pentagon In December, a Czech cyber-security agency warned The men were arrested on Tuesday and are suspected country Republic of North Macedonia, in line with an began to implement it, Trump himself and members of his against using the software and hardware of Huawei and of having “worked for Chinese services and to the agreement with Greece to put an end to a 27-year-old dispute. administration have delivered mixed messages about when fellow Chinese company ZTE, saying they posed a detriment of Poland,” said Polish special services The countries struck the deal on the new name in a troop withdrawal may actually occur. threat to state security. spokesman Stanislaw Zaryn. June, but Macedonia will start using it only after the Trump’s national security advisor John Bolton on parliament in Athens also ratifies the agreement. Sunday announced conditions for a withdrawal that Eighty-one deputies in the 120-seat parliament voted in appeared to delay it indefinitely. favor. Representatives of the opposition VMRO-DPMNE, Adding to the confusion, a military spokesman said Pro-Kabila Camp Wins DRC Legislative Poll who opposed the agreement with Greece, boycotted the US had already begun “the process of our KINSHASA (Dispatches) - Parties supporting outgoing Democratic Republic of Congo president Joseph Kabila the vote. “A new historical chapter in our statehood deliberate withdrawal” from Syria. won a majority in long-delayed legislative elections, according to an AFP tally of results released Saturday, as the has been written this evening,” the Macedonian Late Friday, Pentagon spokesman Cmdr. Sean opposition sought a recount of the disputed presidential poll. government said in a statement. Robertson said that Operation Inherent Resolve “is Pro-Kabila parties had passed the 250-seat threshold required to secure a majority in the 500-seat national “It makes absolutely plausible two of our biggest state implementing the orderly withdrawal of forces from assembly, according to collated results from the Independent National Election Commission (CENI). interests - membership in NATO and EU,” it said. northeast Syria within a framework coordinated More than 15,000 candidates were running in the poll, which determines who will control parliament for the next five years. Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras called his across the U.S. government.” Pro-Kabila candidates had secured 288 of the 429 seats so far declared, with 141 going to the opposition. Macedonian counterpart Zoran Zaev to congratulate him, The withdrawal, Robertson said, “is based on The huge central African country, which straddles an area the size of western Europe, has been in the grip of a two-year his office said in a written statement. Greece blocked its operational conditions on the ground, including political crisis triggered by Kabila’s refusal to step down when his two-term constitutional limit expired at the end of 2016. neighbor’s aspirations to EU and NATO membership over conversation with our allies and partners, and is not A presidential election to choose a successor was the use of ‘Macedonia’, which it said implied territorial be subject to an arbitrary timeline.” delayed three times before finally taking place on claims to a Greek province of the same name. He added: “For purposes of operational security, we December 30, the same day as the legislative poll. The implementation of the agreement, named after the will not discuss specific troop movements or timelines. The poll’s runner-up Martin Fayulu, an opposition bordering town of Prespa where it was signed, is intended “However, we will confirm that there has been no candidate tipped by pollsters as the likely winner of the vote, to end the dispute. NATO Secretary General Jens redeployment of military personnel from Syria to told supporters on Friday he would demand a recount. Stoltenberg and EU commissioner in charge of enlargement date. The mission has not changed.” He said he would challenge Corneille Nangaa, head of Johannes Hahn hailed the vote. “NATO strongly supports U.S. defense officials said the withdrawal was only the election commission “to produce the tally reports the full implementation of the agreement, which is an of certain types of gear, and not troops. from polling stations in front of witnesses” and Congolese important contribution to a stable and prosperous region,” “We are not withdrawing troops at this stage,” one and international observers. Stoltenberg wrote on his twitter account. “My sincerest U.S. defense official said. A second U.S. defense Provisional results released on Thursday gave Felix congratulations to political actors and citizens of the official told AFP that the military had conducted a Tshisekedi, a rival opposition candidate, 38.57 percent of hopefully soon to be North Macedonia on Parliament’s number of preparations for a deliberate withdrawal. the vote, just ahead of Fayulu with 34.8 percent. vote on the constitutional changes,” Hahn tweeted. SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2019 PROMOTIONAL ITEM IRAN NEWS 5 6 IRAN NEWS INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2019

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States on Friday signalled it would not bow to the European Union’s request to keep agriculture out of planned U.S.-EU trade talks, publishing negotiating objectives that seek comprehensive EU access for American farm products. The objectives, required by Congress under the “fast-track” trade negotiating authority law, seek to reduce or eliminate EU tariffs on U.S. farm products and break down non- U.S. Eyes Comprehensive Agriculture Access in EU Trade Talks tariff barriers, including on products developed through biotechnology, the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) office said. Zimbabwe Plans New Currency Uncertainty Over Germany’s Economic Problems VIENNA (Reuters) - It is As Dollar Shortage Bites unclear if Germany’s recent HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe will introduce a new currency in the next economic setbacks are a 12 months, the country’s Finance Minister said, as a shortage of U.S. dollars plunges one-off or a more lasting the financial system into disarray, forcing businesses to close and threatening unrest. phenomenon caused by The southern African nation abandoned its own hyperinflation-wrecked currency in structural problems, particularly 2009 at the height of an economic recession, adopting the greenback and other in its car industry, European currencies including sterling and the South African rand. Central Bank policymaker But without enough hard currency to back up the $10 billion of electronic Ewald Nowotny said in remarks funds trapped in local bank accounts, businesses and civil servants are published on Saturday. demanding payment in cash which can be deposited and used to make payments Struggling to adjust to new emission testing standards, both inside and outside the country. Germany’s car manufacturing contracted in the third Mthuli Ncube told a townhall meeting late on Friday that a new local currency quarter, dragging overall economic growth into negative would be introduced in less than twelve months. territory and raising fears that Europe’s five-year-old “On the issue of raising enough foreign currency to introduce the new currency, we growth run may be coming to a premature end. are on our way already, give us months, not years,” he said. The Bundesbank said in a monthly economic Zimbabwe currently has less than two weeks import cover, according to central report last month that Germany’s dominant car bank data, and the government has previously said it would only consider launching industry may take longer than previously thought to a new currency if it had at least six months of reserves. recover from a slump, weighing on growth in the Locals are haunted by memories of the Zimbabwean dollar, which became euro zone’s biggest economy. worthless as hyperinflation spiralled to reach 500 billion percent in 2008, the highest “The most important economic question for rate in the world for a country not at war, wiping out pensions and savings. Europe is whether these are one-off slowdowns or A surrogate bond note currency introduced in 2016 to stem dollar shortages has also whether structural factors are behind them,” ECB’s collapsed in value. Governing Council member Nowotny said in an President Emmerson Mnangagwa is under pressure to revive the economy but, in interview with Austrian newspaper Der Standard, something of a vicious circle, the dollar shortages are undermining efforts to win stop operating at the end of the month due to the dollar crunch. discussing the prospect of a second quarter of back foreign investors sidelined under his predecessor Robert Mugabe. Zimbabwe’s iconic manufacturer of cooking oil and soap, Olivine Industries said on negative growth in Germany. With less than $400 million in actual cash in Zimbabwe according to central bank Saturday it had suspended production and put workers on indefinite leave because it “The fear is that particularly in the auto industry figures, there are fuel shortages and companies are struggling to import raw materials owed foreign suppliers $11 million. we have lasting changes that affect Germany and equipment, forcing them to buy greenback notes on the black market at a A local associate of global brewing giant Anheuser-Busch Inbev (ABI.BR) said this especially,” said Nowotny, who is also governor of premium of up to 370 percent. week it would invest more than $120 million of dividends and fees trapped in the Austrian National Bank. The Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries has warned some of its members could Zimbabwe into the central bank’s savings bonds. The Bundesbank said in its report last month that while a quick rebound in the auto sector had been forecast, fresh data was disappointing those hopes. It added that the slump was exacerbated by an overall deterioration in sentiment as well as OPEC Is Not the Enemy of the U.S. uncertainty over the future of diesel cars as cities contemplate bans to reduce pollution. ABU DHABI (Reuters) - The Organization of Petroleum Mazrouei said he expected an average price of around “What I find particularly unsettling are Exporting Countries is not the enemy of the United $70 a barrel for Brent crude this year, an estimate psychological factors. The whole diesel discussion, States, United Arab Emirates Energy Minister Suhail shared by his Omani counterpart Mohammed al-Rumhi combined with the problems in the auto industry, al-Mazrouei said on Saturday in Abu Dhabi. who, addressing the same event, said he expected a increases uncertainty,” Nowotny said. “We are complementing each other, we are not price of between $60 and $80 a barrel. “If people defer the purchase of a car by just half enemies here,” Mazrouei told an industry conference in The 1.2 million bpd cut should be enough to a year, that causes a vast fall in demand. There Abu Dhabi, addressing the relationship between OPEC balance the market, Mazrouei said, expecting the would be lasting and dramatic consequences if there and major consuming countries like the United States. correction to start this month and to be achieved were real structural collapses in the export- and OPEC, and other leading global oil producers led by in the first half of the year. machinery-oriented economy. Germany could Russia, agreed in December to cut their combined oil He said there was no need for major oil exporters to hold become vulnerable,” he said. output by 1.2 million barrels per day from January in an extraordinary meeting before the one planned in April. order to balance the oil market. “Things are working well,” said Oman’s Rumhi, The decision came despite U.S. President Donald whose country is taking part in the supply reduction No-Deal Brexit Trump’s calls to oil exporters to refrain from agreement without being a member of OPEC. He also cutting production, saying it would trigger higher said there was no need for major exporters to meet Can’t Be Managed oil prices worldwide. before April. LONDON (Dispatches) - A no-deal Brexit “cannot be managed”, is “certainly not Gov’t Shutdown Becomes China Tax Cuts Support desirable” and “the economic consequences would be profound, widespread and lasting”, the head Longest in U.S. History Employment, Economic Stability of Britain’s main business lobby WASHINGTON (Dispatches) - The U.S. government shutdown that has left 800,000 SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China’s plans for tax cuts targeting smaller companies group said Friday. federal employees without salaries as a result of President Donald Trump’s row with will help to support employment and economic stability, and will expand the Carolyn Fairbairn, head of Democrats over building a Mexico border wall entered a record 22nd day Saturday. country’s tax base over the long term, Premier Li Keqiang was quoted as the Confederation of British The Democrats’ refusal to approve $5.7 billion demanded by Trump for the wall saying on Saturday. Industry, used a speech to call project has paralyzed Washington, with the president retaliating by refusing to sign “Implementing tax cuts for small and micro enterprises is mainly to also on the government to immediately set out a off on budgets for swaths of government departments unrelated to the dispute. support employment,” Li said in comments posted on the Chinese plan to avert a no-deal Brexit and protect jobs As a result, workers as diverse as FBI agents, air traffic controllers and museum government’s website. should parliament on Tuesday vote against its Brexit staff, did not receive paychecks Friday. Developing and strengthening small companies is linked to economic stability and deal agreed with Brussels. The partial shutdown of the government became the longest on record at midnight stable employment, he said. “Make no mistake, no-deal cannot be Friday (0500 GMT Saturday), when it overtook the 21-day stretch in 1995-1996, “Looking at the long term, this will continue to expand the tax base, ‘managed’,” Fairbairn told bosses gathered in under president Bill Clinton. conserve tax resources and ultimately achieve wins for mass employment, Bristol, southwest England. Trump on Friday backed off a series of previous threats to end the deadlock by corporate profits and fiscal revenues,” he was quoted as saying, referring to She said that the UK’s economy could shrink by declaring a national emergency and attempting to secure the funds without the corporate tax cuts. up to 8.0 percent, resulting in less money for the congressional approval. Li’s comments come amid growing official concern over China’s slowing economic country’s public services. “I’m not going to do it so fast,” he said at a White House meeting. growth and its impact on the labour market. “Businesses would face new costs and tariffs. Our Trump described an emergency declaration as the “easy way out” and said Congress Chinese authorities plan to set a lower economic growth target of 6 to 6.5 percent ports would be disrupted, separating firms from the had to step up to the responsibility of approving the $5.7 billion. in 2019, compared with “around” 6.5 percent in 2018, sources told Reuters, as parts they need to supply their customers.” “If they can’t do it... I will declare a national emergency. I have the absolute right,” weakening domestic demand and a damaging trade war with the United States drag She added: “Trade deals with countries like Japan, he insisted. Until now, Trump had suggested numerous times that he was getting on business activity and consumer confidence. South Korea and Turkey would be lost.” closer to taking the controversial decision. Analysts expect that China’s economy grew around 6.6 percent last year, its slowest Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday Only minutes earlier, powerful Republican ally Senator Lindsey Graham tweeted pace since 1990, and it is expected to cool further in coming months before a slew of said he hoped Britain would avoid crashing out of after talks with Trump: “Mr. President, Declare a national emergency NOW.” support measures start to kick in. the European Union without an agreement, as he It was not clear what made Trump change course. “The bottom line for the policymakers is social stability, which is crucially tied to threw his support behind the government’s But Trump himself acknowledged in the White House meeting that an attempt to claim the unemployment rate and job creation,” analysts at BoAML said in a recent note. contentious Brexit deal days before a vote by MPs. emergency powers would likely end up in legal battles going all the way to the Supreme Court. “With U.S.-China trade risks still looming large, we believe policymakers would not Flanked by British Prime Minister Theresa Opponents say that a unilateral move by the president over the sensitive border hesitate to take pre-emptive measures to stabilise expectations on job stability.” May during a visit to London, Abe said issue would be constitutional More growth boosting steps Japanese businesses “very much welcomed” overreach and set a are expected this year as her draft divorce deal. dangerous precedent in policymakers seek to avert the But British MPs are widely expected to reject it similar controversies. risk of a sharper slowdown. amid fierce opposition -- in particular over future The standoff has turned China’s State Council, or guarantees on the Irish border. into a test of political ego, cabinet, said on Jan. 9 that it Speaking Friday, Fairbairn said “if parliament particularly for Trump, who would further reduce taxes for can’t agree then it is for the government immediately came into office boasting of smaller companies. On to set out what it will do to avert a no-deal exit, and his deal making powers and Friday, Finance Minister Liu to guarantee this. making an aggressive Kun said authorities would “If the government does choose this path, we have border policy the keystone step up tax and fee cuts to the chance finally to move beyond the all-consuming of his nationalist agenda. lower corporate burdens. obsessions of Brexit. SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2019 WORLD NEWS IRAN NEWS 7

TEHRAN - Total volume of the country’s petrochemical products hit 40.5 million tons while the value of the country’s exports in the first nine months registered at $8.946 billion in the same period. According to website of national petrochemical industries company, volume of the country’s production in November-December stood over 3.8 million tons. Export of Petrochemical Products Hits $9b Some 20 petrochemical complexes in Mahshar region produced 14.369 million tons of products by the end of December 21, 2018.

Iran Slams France... FROM PAGE 1 “We strongly believe that any attempt to induce and impose Spanish Draft Budget Ups Social Spending a wrong interpretation of Resolution 2231 regarding Iran’s missile program is an irresponsible act,” Qasemi added. MADRID (Reuters) - Spain’s minority Socialist government rolled out its 2019 budget He also reiterated the defensive, national, and proposal on Friday, promising to slash the deficit but boost social spending in a bid to please conventional nature of Iran’s missile program, saying voters who may have to decide on the administration’s future as soon as this year. that it is not only legitimate but also a natural right of the Failure by parliament to pass the bill could prompt a snap election before the scheduled Iranian nation. Qasemi’s remarks came after French general ballot in 2020, further exacerbating Spain’s tumultuous political environment. Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Agnes von der Muhll Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez came to power last year after the previous called on Tehran to “immediately cease all ballistic missile- conservative government lost a confidence vote, and needs the backing of Catalan related activities designed to carry nuclear weapons, nationalists and other small parties to pass legislation. including tests using ballistic missile technology.” This year’s 472.7 billion euro ($543 billion) budget bill comes after delays caused by the administration change and the refusal of Catalan parties to back an initial draft. It also comes after a humiliating electoral setback for the Socialists last month in Europe Not to Allow... Andalusia, that has seen the far right grow stronger. FROM PAGE 1 The plan, which faces a first vote in mid-February, envisages a sharp deficit reduction to 1.3 percent of gross domestic product from last year’s estimated 2.7 Mogherini further rejected claims that Europe is percent and includes higher taxes for the wealthy and big corporations. motivated mainly by economic or trade considerations But spending on social policies will increase by over 6 percent, or 12.6 billion euros and said all efforts by the EU to preserve the JCPOA ($14.5 billion), from last year to reach over 57 percent of the total budgeted expenditure. have been made “because of our collective security.” Spending on pensions will rise 6 percent, transport subsidies 13 percent and student “That is not the case: we do this to prevent a nuclear scholarships will get 10 percent more funding. non-proliferation agreement that is working from being Budget Minister Maria Jesus Montero said she hoped the government’s fiscal plan appealing to the Catalans without upsetting other regions. dismantled, and to prevent a major security crisis in the would help defeat the rise of the far right. “Budgets are a vaccine against the “We need to see how the government manages to put the story to the public opinion Middle East,” the senior EU official pointed out. breeding ground with which populism is nourished,” she told reporters. ... whether the idea prevails that this is a budget that raises taxes for the rich and with She emphasized that the EU should guarantee that In December, Sanchez already decreed a 22 percent rise in the minimum wage, the more social spending, or the idea that a lot is offered to the Catalans. The opposition firms seeking to do legitimate business with Iran are biggest in four decades. is going to play this (latter) card,” he said. allowed to do so. “This is what we are working on right Autonomous regions such as Catalonia, which in 2017 attempted to proclaim If the plan is rejected, the government said it would keep enforcing the 2018 now: tools that will assist, protect, and reassure independence from Spain, will in total receive 6 percent more central funding than spending plan, but it has not ruled out that a snap election may follow. economic actors pursuing legitimate business with Iran. a year ago. The government will only provide a breakdown next week, but it has That would raise the possibility of a right-of-center government coming to power, It is true that this situation has triggered a conversation previously said the Catalans will be happy with the budget. in the same mould as in Spain’s most populous region of Andalusia where the on European economic sovereignty,” Mogherini said. Pablo Simon, political scientist at Carlos III University, said that despite the bill’s conservative People’s Party allied on Wednesday with center-right Ciudadanos and Iran and the 28-nation European Union have been clear “more spending, more income” message, the government still needs to make it received the backing of an emerging far-right party. discussing various ways to continue doing business with Iran and bypass U.S. sanctions. Romania Corruption Amnesty U.S. Rules... Would Harm Rule of Law Lofven Edges Towards Second PM Term FROM PAGE 1 STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - The accord must still be “We want a new and better deal (with Iran) but in that Social Democrat leader approved by the executive process we are denying the Iranian regime billions Stefan Lofven took a big step bodies of all four parties and billions of dollars and they are facing a liquidity towards a second term as involved in order to take crisis,” Hook said. Sweden’s prime minister on effect. “We Social The Islamic Republic, he added, would not return to Friday after agreeing a deal Democrats believe that the negotiation table without pressure. Tehran has with two opposition parties an agreement between refused to renegotiate its nuclear accord and says its that will move policy sharply our parties would ballistic missile programme - another source of concern to the right with tax cuts and safeguard democracy and for Washington and its regional allies such as Israel and business-friendly reforms. move Sweden forward by Saudi Arabia - is solely defensive and untouchable. Swedish politics has been carrying out necessary Hook said Washington was pleased with China deadlocked since a reforms,” Lofven said in cutting its oil imports from Iran, and that he expected BUCHAREST (Reuters) - Under scrutiny during its first September election resulted a statement. much deeper reductions in Iranian oil exports. “We are six-month EU presidency, Romania would damage the in a hung parliament. Finding a new government has Parliament will vote on Jan. 16 for a new prime minister. just getting started,” he said. Iran’s crude exports will be rule of law if it carries out plans to decriminalize some been complicated by a promise from all parties not The four parties together would still control fewer than half severely curtailed for a third month in January as it forms of corruption and grant an amnesty to offenders, to work with the anti-immigration Sweden of the seats in parliament, so would require the support of struggles to find new buyers amid U.S. sanctions even the head of the European Commission said on Friday. Democrats, which has roots in the white-supremacist the Social Democrats’ allies in the Left Party. But the Left is though its traditional customers secured temporary The leader of the ruling Social Democrats, Liviu fringe and holds the balance of power. “This is not not expected to block a new Lofven-led government waivers, according to tanker data and industry sources. Dragnea, has a conviction for vote-rigging and and is the solution we would ideally have liked, but it is because it does not want a right-wing one backed by the Separately, Omani Oil Minister Mohammed bin Hamad therefore barred from becoming prime minister. He the best that is possible in an extremely difficult Sweden Democrats. al-Rumhi told the news conference that Washington had denies any wrongdoing. situation,” Annie Loof, leader of the centre-right Some Liberal and Centre members of parliament not asked the Persian Gulf Arab state to stop a gas pipeline Dragnea has been pushing for changes including a decree Centre party, told reporters. expressed strong opposition to Friday’s deal, which project with Iran and that talks were continuing. He said that would grant prison pardons and amnesty, which would She said the agreement - also tentatively endorsed by will probably mark the death of the four-party some partners for the project had pulled out because of the also help his case. He is widely seen as the real power the centre-right Liberals and the Social Democrats’ centre-right Alliance, formed in 2004 to end the risk of punishment by Washington for dealing with Iran holder in Romania, though he holds no government job. partner the Green Party - would exclude the Sweden Social Democrats’ century-long domination of but that some other Asian firms were willing to take part. “If an amnesty were adopted, as some in this country Democrats and the Left Party from having influence Swedish politics. Hook declined to say what the administration in Washington envisage, it would be a step back in the rule of law,” the on policy-making. “This is a real betrayal of all the voters who voted would do when the current Iran waivers end in May. head of the executive Commission, Jean-Claude Loof said the Social Democrats had agreed to cut for an Alliance party in order to get a new Washington granted waivers to eight major buyers of Iranian Juncker, told a joint news conference with Romanian income taxes, to abandon a proposal to limit the government and a new direction in Swedish oil - including China, India, Japan and South Korea - after President Klaus Iohannis. Even though the European profits of private firms operating in the tax-funded politics,” Moderate Party leader Ulf Kristersson, restoring energy sanctions in November. Union is built on compromises, there can be no welfare sector and to increase environmental taxes, the Alliance’s candidate for prime minister, negotiations about legal principles, he said. among other policies. told reporters. An attempt by the Social Democrats to decriminalize U.S. Rules... several corruption offences at the start of 2017 FROM PAGE 1 triggered Romania’s biggest street protests since the 1989 fall of communism. Tens of Thousands March in Argentina Against Macri’s Austerity Iran substitute Ahmad Noorollahi passed up a In November, lawmakers approved a bill pushed by glorious chance when he was left entirely unmarked the Social Democrats and their coalition partner that LIMA (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of Argentines marched through Buenos Aires on Thursday carrying torches, from a free-kick midway through the second half. would cancel wiretap evidence used to prosecute past in the first of a series of planned protests against President Mauricio Macri’s austerity program and the soaring cost He would not regret such wastefulness however, as corruption cases and could wipe out hundreds of of public services. Queiroz’s men finally made their threat on the break pay. convictions, including Dragnea’s. Macri slashed subsidies for public utilities and other services to reduce the country’s chronic fiscal deficit, pushing Incisive build-up saw Mahdi Torabi slide a pass to The centrist opposition challenged the bill in the electricity and gas rates up more 2,000 percent since the start of his term, according to estimates by local media. Azmoun, who turned under pressure to convert left footed. Constitutional Court, which could issue a ruling as Rates are expected to increase even more this year. Winger Nguyen Quang Hai slotted narrowly wide as early as Jan. 16. “People can’t make ends meet. All the measures taken by the government go against workers,” Pablo Moyano, a Vietnam gamely continued to press in the closing stages.Iran Speaking later at a news conference with Romanian leader of a union of truck drivers, said during the protest. conclude their round-robin campaign against neighbors Prime Minister Viorica Dancila, Juncker urged the Weekly demonstrations are planned through early February, increasing pressure on Macri to solve the country’s economic Iraq, who will made it two wins out of two against Yemen. authorities to set aside internal disagreements during crisis ahead of a presidential election late this year. the country’s EU presidency, which began on Jan. 1. Last year, when the economy contracted, inflation Juncker added: “I heard the prime minister tell me that she neared 50 percent and the peso lost close to 50 India’s Oil... has a clear wish not to cast any shadow on the Romanian percent of its value, Macri reached an unpopular FROM PAGE 1 presidency by exporting internal difficulties to Europe.” deal with the IMF for a $57 billion (44.7 billion Last month Juncker caused an uproar in Romania by pounds) lifeline in exchange for a commitment to India did get a waiver, alongside seven other Iranian oil customers, including the single biggest, China. The expressing concern in a German newspaper that cut the deficit. waivers allow those eight countries to continue Iranian oil imports at reduced volumes until early May 2019. Bucharest might not be ready to take the helm of the The protesters on Thursday, who witnesses estimated India’s allowed imports from Iran are about 300,000 bpd. EU. Asked if he stood by these comments, Juncker said numbered at least 20,000, carried effigies of Macri and In November, Iran was only sixth among India’s top oil suppliers. Iraq and Saudi Arabia held the first two spots, he would not take them back. signs that read “Enough of the Macri/IMF austerity while the UAE—sixth in October—moved up to third place, ousting Venezuela to fourth. Nigeria held onto its President Iohannis, a centrist, has also been critical of programme” as they marched past the city’s obelisk fifth position, but Iran moved from fourth in October to sixth in November, according to industry and ship- the government’s readiness to lead the EU and strongly monument towards Congress. tracking data obtained by Reuters. opposes its amnesty proposals, but tried on Friday to A union of truck drivers and a federation of According to the December tanker tracking data reviewed by Reuters, Iran was India’s sixth largest oil supplier project an image of unity. workers’ unions organised the protests. Members of in December, too. In December 2017, Iran was the third biggest oil supplier to India. In December 2018, Iran’s “We are very well prepared for the difficult period leftist political parties and independent Argentines market share in India’s oil imports plunged to 6.2 percent from 11.7 percent in December 2017, according to the ahead of us now,” he said. have joined in. tanker tracking data. Fabregas Completes IRAN NEWS Sevilla Sign Barca Move to Monaco Licence Holder: Sokhan Gostar Institute Switchboard: E-Mail Address: Striker Munir ONDON (Dispatches) - Cesc Fabregas completed his move from [email protected] ADRID (Reuters) - Sevilla agreed a deal with La Liga Chelsea to Ligue 1 strugglers Monaco on Friday to reunite with his old (+98) (21) 44253448 champions Barcelona to sign striker Munir El Haddadi, L ISSN 1024-6053 M Arsenal teammate Thierry Henry. Fabregas put pen to paper on a three-and- Public Relations Tel: the clubs said on Friday. P.O. Box: 15875-8551 a-half-year deal at the Stade Louis II after passing a medical earlier in the (+98)(21) 44253450 The Spain international, 23, was out of contract at the end Address: No 13, Pajouhesh St., day on the Mediterranean coast. A source told AFP that Chelsea will only Editorial Board: 44253449 Golestan II St, Golestan St.Marzdaran of the season and moves for a cut-price 1 million euros receive payments related to Fabregas’ performance at Monaco, contrasting Public Relations Fax: Blvd., Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran (892,638 pounds). Munir scored 12 goals in 56 appearances for Barcelona with media reports that the club had already agreed to pay Chelsea 10 (+98)(21) 44253395 Printed by:Honar Sarzmin Sabz since breaking through in 2014 under Luis Enrique, spending million euros ($11.5 million) for the player who could now make his debut Advertising Department: Distributed by: the previous two seasons on loan at Valencia and Alaves. for his new club in Sunday’s Ligue 1 game away at Marseille. Tel/Fax:(+98) (21) 44253335-9/44253234 Cities of Iran Cultural and Website: Artistic Institute http://www.irannewsdaily.com Managing Director: Fereydoon Taherpour Asl

8 IRAN NEWS SPORTS SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2019 South Korea, China Doncic Hits Big 3-Pointer Bayern to Appeal Make Last 16 Mueller Suspension UBAI (Dispatches) - South Korea and China To Sink Wolves ERLIN (Dispatches) - Densured their places in the Asian Cup last 16 BBayern Munich said on Friday after continuing their perfect starts, as Friday they will appeal the Australia reignited their title defense with a vital two-match Champions win over Palestine. League suspension handed The Koreans, runners-up in 2015, squeezed past to Thomas Mueller which Kyrgyzstan 1-0 thanks to Kim Min-jae’s strike just means the Germany before half-time, while a Wu Lei-inspired China international will miss comfortably beat the Philippines 3-0. both legs of their last-16 South Korea and China are level on six points at tie against Liverpool. the top of Group C ahead of their group decider on European football’s Wednesday and join Jordan in the knockout stages governing body UEFA of the Asian showpiece, which features 24 teams handed Mueller a two-match for the first time. ban on Friday following his sending-off in the 3-3 draw South Korea were made to sweat once again by away to Ajax in their final group game last month. minor opposition following their opening single- Mueller was shown the first straight red card of his goal win over Sven-Goran Eriksson’s Philippines. career for kicking Ajax defender Nicolas Tagliafico But they will be glad to be safely through without in the head. the services of Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung- The 29-year-old will definitely miss the away leg min, who sat out the first two games under a deal at Anfield on February 19, but Bayern hope a with the Premier League club. successful appeal would mean Mueller could play “It wasn’t a very good performance but I think we the return at the Allianz Arena on March 13. deserved to win,” said South Korea coach Paulo Mueller apologized following the sending-off, Bento. “We suffered a little bit because we didn’t insisting he meant to kick the ball. score the second goal.” Kyrgyzstan caused some anxious moments for EW YORK (Dispatches) - Rookie sensation Houston’s Clint Capela had 19 points, four rebounds South Korea in the first half, especially from corners NLuka Doncic drained the game-winning and two blocked shots in 30 minutes. Cedi Osman Kvitova Outlasts Barty with Bekzhan Sagynbaev having one effort saved at 3-pointer, scored a team-high 29 points and finished paced Cleveland’s starters with 15 points while the point-blank range. two rebounds shy of a triple-double to lead the Dallas backcourt of Alec Burks and Collin Sexton totaled 27 At the other end, Lee Chung-yong blazed a Mavericks to a rare road win, 119-115 over the points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. In Sydney Final glorious chance over and Koo Ja-cheol had a goal- Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday in Minneapolis. YDNEY (Dispatches) - bound shot punched away by goalkeeper Kutman Doncic, the second-leading All-Star vote-getter in Warriors 146, Bulls 109 SPetra Kvitova outlasted Kadyrbekov -- in for Pavel Matiash, who was guilty the Western Conference so far, went toe to toe with Klay Thompson buried three consecutive Ashleigh Barty in a final-set of a howling own goal in their defeat to China. the Wolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns, who finished with 3-pointers in the first 70 seconds as host Golden tiebreak to win the Sydney From the resulting corner, defender Min-jae lost a game-high 30 points plus 11 rebounds and four State ran away from Chicago in Oakland, Calif., International for the second his marker and was first to the ball at the near post, blocks. Doncic had 12 assists. and won its third straight game. time on Saturday. where he made no mistake to put the Koreans ahead. Doncic’s game-winner, shot over Towns’ The win capped one of the highest-scoring, season- The Czech 2015 champion Earlier in Abu Dhabi, Wu Lei fired the first of his outstretched arm, swished through with 22.9 seconds series sweeps in NBA history, with the Warriors and fifth seed fought back brace for Marcello Lippi’s China five minutes left for a 117-115 lead. It came just seconds after he having blown out the Bulls 149-124 in Chicago on from dropping the first set before half-time, turning on the edge of the box and threw away an inbounds pass with Minnesota leading Oct. 29. Thompson, who scored 52 points in the and an early break in the final whipping a right-foot shot into the far corner. 115-114. However, the Wolves gave it right back to October game, scored a game-high 30 points. set to beat the top-ranked His second was even better as he swivelled to slam set up the 19-year-old’s heroics. Aussie, 1-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7/3) in a Hao Junmin free-kick past Philippines goalkeeper Harrison Barnes added 23 points for the Mavericks. Jazz 113, Lakers 95 two hours 19 minutes. Michael Falkesgaard on the volley after 66 minutes Minnesota’s Andrew Wiggins, coming off a 40-point Donovan Mitchell finished with 33 points and a It was a gutsy performance from the two-time to effectively end the match. performance, finished with 17 points, and Derrick career-high nine assists to lead Utah’s rout of Los Wimbledon champion who only finished her Substitute Yu Dabao added a third with his first Rose had 21 off the bench. Angeles Lakers in Salt Lake City. semi-final against Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the touch 10 minutes from time for China, who are Three Jazz players finished with double-doubles: early hours of Saturday. hoping to improve on their quarter-final finish in Rockets 141, Cavaliers 113 Rudy Gobert (12 points, season-high 18 rebounds); Kvitova had beaten Barty both the previous times Australia four years ago. James Harden posted his fourth 40-point triple-double Joe Ingles (14 points, career-high 12 rebounds); and they played, including in the Birmingham final in 2017, In Dubai, coach Graham Arnold warned Australia on the season, and host Houston turned an early run into a Derrick Favors (15 points, season-high 13 rebounds). but she had to dig deep to win her eighth straight final, would only improve as the defending champions saw blowout of Cleveland, which lost its 12th straight game. Michael Beasley scored 17 points to lead the coming back from an 0-3 deficit in the final set. off Palestine 3-0 to move within sight of the knockouts. Harden finished with 43 points, 10 rebounds and 12 Lakers. Brandon Ingram added 15 points, and Kyle Kvitova prevailed despite her serve being broken six Goals from Hibernian striker Jamie Maclaren, assists despite sitting out the fourth quarter. His 13th Kuzma chipped in 11 points and eight rebounds. Los times in the match but she finished with 31 winners to Awer Mabil and substitute Apostolos Giannou 40-point game this season set a franchise record. Angeles lost for the sixth time in nine games Barty’s 23. Barty raced through the opening set after banished memories of the shock opening defeat to Harden converted all 11 of his free throws. without LeBron James, who remained in Los breaking the big-serving Kvitova in the first game on Jordan as Australia went second in Group B. All 10 of his rebounds came on the defensive end. Angeles due to a groin injury. back-to-back double faults. Sunderland Sandgren Claims Rewarded With First ATP Title Dakar Victory In Auckland ONDON (Dispatches) - British motorcyclist Sam UCKLAND (Dispatches) - American Tennys LSunderland was Friday promoted to fifth stage ASandgren was left speechless on Saturday after winner on the Dakar Rally after sportingly stopping claiming his first ATP tour title with a comprehensive mid-race to help a fellow rider who had fallen and straight sets win over Britain’s Cameron Norrie in the suffered a head injury. Auckland Classic final. Frenchman Xavier de Soultrait, on a Yamaha, had The 27-year-old Sandgren took just 79 minutes to been the first across the line on the run from Moquegua beat Norrie 6-4, 6-2 to round out a remarkable week of to Arequipa while Sunderland, on a KTM, finished tennis without dropping a set. down in 14th place, 7min 29sec behind. “I’m a little lost for words,” a relieved Sandgren said However, the 29-year-old 2017 Dakar champion lost when a Norrie service return went over the baseline to more than 10 minutes when he gallantly stopped racing to come to the aid of Portugal’s Honda rider Paulo end the match. Goncalves who was injured in a fall after 155km of the stage. “A lot of work, a lot of training, a lot of sacrifice goes into even making a final and to get a win, I’m speechless.” Goncalves suffered a head injury and a broken right hand, forcing him into the fifth retirement of his Dakar career. In a tournament in which none of the seeded players made it to the final four, Sandgren was playing only his Organizers said stewards decided to hand Sunderland back the 10 minutes he spent at the Portuguese rider’s side, second ATP final -- having lost in Houston last year -- while it was the first for wildcard entrant Norrie. thus making him the stage winner by a margin of 3min 23sec. Sandgren said his extra experience counted. In the overall standings, America’s Ricky Brabec, on a Honda, leads Sunderland by 59sec with Chile’s Pablo Quintanilla, “I left that match thinking I played a really good one but I left something on the table. Mentally, I wasn’t as good riding a Husqvarna, at 2min 52sec back as the event heads into a rest day on Saturday. “It was a mass start day and there as I could have been so I didn’t want to leave today thinking that I could have been more solid upstairs.” was not much to win or lose, but it was unfortunate for Goncalves and I stopped with him,” said Sunderland. But there was no hiding the nerves for both players with 29 unforced errors from Norrie and 17 from Sandgren, “I stopped for a long time with him, maybe ten minutes, I’m not sure. “Then I was back with all the other guys in the a quarter-finalist in the Australian Open last year. dust. I didn’t have any reference of how much time I was losing, so I was thinking that my race was going downhill.” Norrie was in trouble at the start of match when he dropped his serve in the opening game.