Mehr Vision|No.8|March 2017

Palestine: Still Muslim World’s Priority Page 2 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

Contents

Palestine should be pivot of unity for Islamic world 3 Intl. boycott of Israel only viable way to advance Palestinian cause 7 Israel bound to perish sooner or later 9 Israel a Jewish State, not democracy 9 Iran’s anti-Zionism political rhetoric still loud 12

Cover Story Cover Trump helps Israeli regime expand “Jewish Only” settlements 13

Anti-Saudi Trump; will it work? 16 Challenges of new UN chief 18 Pakistan largely losing strategic importance for US 19

Politics ‘Great men of history never die’ 21

Silence best strategy of Airbus on ambiguities of Iran Air deal 25 Iran regaining OPEC’s market share 26 Two sides of Tehran-Washington oil ties 28 Iran in catbird seat thanks to US-Qatar gas rivalry 29 Iran makes leap to seize fresh export markets 30

Economy Iran’s steel market in ‘New Normal’ era 32 New chapter in Iran-Russia trade ties 36

Mehr Vision Iraqi theater scene wading steadfastly through hardships 40 Japanese dance group ‘Siro-A’ lights up Iranian stage at 35th FITF 42 Managing Director: Ali Asgari Flamenco giant ‘Duquende’ gets terrific applause at Fajr Music Fest. 44 Editorial Board: Fado star Zambujo displays pronounced show at Fajr Music Fest. 45 Seyed Amir Hassan Dehghani, Iran, Italy join hands in reviving Beethoven on stage 46 Culture Mohammad Ghaderi, HamidReza High-profile session addresses environmental pollution 47 Gholamzadeh Oshtornakouh; a safe refuge for Persian Leopard 49 Editorial Coordinator: Marjohn Sheikhi Astana meeting; is peace negotiable? 51 US to abandon Assad ouster under Trump 52 Contributors: Mina Ahmadi, Lachin Rezaian, Turkey more reliable than US for Syria talks 54 Marjohn Sheikhi, Parnaz Talebi, Trump cannot afford to shut out Iran if he wants to defeat ISIL 56 Hossein Azari, Vandad Alvandipour, US young generation seek Russia-Iran in circle of friendship 58 Hamid Reza Gholamzadeh, 200 days of siege in Bahrain amid global indifference 61 Samad Habibi, Mohammad Mazhari

Dossier Al Khalifa regime bribes HR organizations into silence 63 Support for Al-Khalifa, Western strategy to project power in Persian Gulf 64 Art Director: Mahboubeh Azizi Bahrain regime to be tougher in 2017 realizing its fail 66 Phone: +98-21-43051350 US, UK, Saudi Arabia behind Bahrain brutality 68 Email: [email protected]

Address: No. 18, Bimeh Alley, Nejatollahi St., Tehran, Iran News in Vision 69

Mehr Vision welcomes contributions by readers which can be sent via email. Cover Story Page 3 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

The 6th International Conference on Palestinian Intifada was opened Ayat. Khamenei: with the speech of Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Khamenei on February 21, 2017 in Tehran. Palestine should be pivot

Ayatollah Khamenei opened his speech by marking the martyrdom anni- of unity for Islamic world versary of African American Muslim lead- er Malcolm X and asked the participants to recite Surah Fatihah from Holy Quran for the blessing of his soul. Here is the full script of the address by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei:

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, and Allah’s peace and greet- ings be upon the Master of All Peoples, Muhammad al-Mustafa, and upon his immaculate household and chosen com- panions Allah the All-Wise said in the Manifest Book [The Holy Quran]: “So be not wea- ry, nor fall into despair for you shall have the upper hand if you are believers” [The Holy Quran, 3: 139]. And says the Mighti- witnessed that a country is completely in the region with the purpose of ham- est of Speakers: “Be not weary crying for occupied in a supra-regional plot, that a pering the stability, solidity and progress peace, while you have the upper hand people are driven away from their home of the region through imposing a long- and Allah is with you and never will He and their country and that another group term conflict are behind the seditions put you in loss for your deeds” [The Holy of people from remote areas in the world that exist in the present time as well. Quran, 47: 35]. are brought there in order to replace that These are seditions that have culminat- In the beginning, I deem it necessary nation. It has never been witnessed that ed in the capabilities of regional nations to welcome all you dear guests, the hon- a real entity is ignored and that a fake en- being used to foil one another because orable heads of Islamic organizations, the tity takes its place. of engagement in futile and meaningless leaders of various Palestinian groups, the But this is another dirty page in histo- conflicts. intellectuals, scholars and outstanding ry which will be closed with the permis- When all these capabilities are ruined, personalities of the world of Islam and sion and assistance of Allah the Exalted, the ground will be prepared for strength- other personalities who fight for - free just like other dirty pages in history: ening the usurping Zionist regime on a dom. I welcome you for your presence in “Falsehood is bound to perish” [The Holy daily basis. Amid all these, we are witness this valuable conference. Quran, 17: 81] and He says: “My servants to the endeavors of well-intentioned and The sorrowful story of Palestine and the righteous shall inherit the earth” wise personalities in the Islamic Ummah. the excruciating sadness felt because [The Holy Quran, 21: 105]. They are diligently trying to resolve these of the oppression against this patient, Your conference is being held under differences. But unfortunately, the com- enduring and resistant nation, truly dis- one of the most difficult circumstances in plicated plots of the enemy have man- tresses any individual who seeks free- the world and in the region. These days, aged to impose civil wars on nations by dom, truth and justice and it thrusts an our region - which has always support- benefiting from the negligence of some agonizing pain and suffering upon one’s ed the people of Palestine in their fight governments. These plots have managed heart. against a global plot – is undergoing nu- to pit nations against one another and to The history of Palestine is full of ups merous upheavals and crises. The exist- counter the effect of the endeavors that and downs, marked by the cruel occu- ing crises in several Islamic countries in well-intentioned personalities in the Is- pation of that region, the rendering of the region have caused the support for lamic Ummah have made. millions of individuals homeless, and the the issue of Palestine and the holy ideal What is significant in this regard is courageous resistance of those heroic of Quds’ freedom to be undermined. At- the effort to weaken the position of the people. An intelligent quest in history tention to the result of these crises helps issue of Palestine and to give it the low- shows that no people in any era of his- us to understand which powers benefit est priority. Despite the differences that tory have ever been subject to such pain, from the existence of these crises. exist among Islamic countries – some of suffering and cruelty. It has never been Those who created the Zionist regime these differences are natural, some orig- » Cover Story Page 4 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY inate from the enemy’s plot and the rest in the occupied lands, is subject to more identity is a necessity and a holy jihad. are because of negligence – the issue of suppression than the previous two, but As long as the name and memory of Palestine can and should be the pivot of it is still moving forward in a bright and Palestine and the bright flames of the unity for all Islamic countries. One of the hopeful manner. And by Allah’s permis- all-out resistance of that nation are pre- achievements of this valuable confer- sion, we will see that this intifada will served, it is not possible for the foun- ence is announcing the first priority of begin a very important chapter in the dations of that usurping regime to be the world of Islam and freedom fighters history of fighting and that it will inflict strengthened. The problem with “com- all over the world, which is the issue of another defeat on that usurping regime. promise” is not only that it legitimizes a Palestine and the creation of an atmos- From the beginning, this cancerous usurping regime by violating the rights of phere of harmony and unanimity with tumor has been developing in several a nation – of course, this is a grave and the purpose of achieving the lofty goal of phases until it turned into the current unforgivable mistake in itself – rather the supporting the people of Palestine and disaster. The cure for this tumor should problem is that it is completely at odds their truthful and justice-oriented fight. be developed in phases as well. Until to- with the current condition of Palestine The significance of offering political day, several intifadas and a constant and and that it does not take into account support to the people of Palestine should continuous resistance have managed to the expansionist, oppressive and greedy never be neglected. This issue has a spe- achieve very important phased goals. characteristics of the Zionists. However, cial priority in today’s world. Even if Mus- The Palestinian intifada continues to gal- by grasping their opportunities, these lim and freedom-seeking nations have lop forward in a thunderous manner so people have managed to prove the in- different viewpoints and opinions, they that it can achieve its other goals until accuracy of those who support compro- can gather together with one goal which the complete liberation of Palestine. mise. As a result of this, a kind of national is Palestine and the necessity to liberate The great people of Palestine – who consensus has emerged about the cor- it. With the emergence of signs of the shoulder the heavy burden of confront- rect methods of fighting for asserting the collapse in the Zionist regime and the ing global Zionism and its bullying sup- true rights of the Palestinian nation. weakness that has dominated its main porters – have given an opportunity to all Now, the people of Palestine have ex- allies – in particular the United States of claimants to put their claims to the test perienced two different paradigms in the America – it is witnessed that the glob- and they have done so in a patient yet past three decades of their history and al environment is gradually moving to- vigorous and solid manner. The day when they have understood the proportion of wards confronting the hostile, illegal and “compromise proposals” were brought those two paradigms in relation to their inhuman activities of the Zionist regime. up seriously with the false excuse of re- conditions. The paradigm of heroic and Of course, the global community and re- alism and the necessity to accept mini- continuous resistance and holy intifada gional countries have not yet managed to mum rights in order to prevent those stands against the compromise para- carry out their responsibilities towards rights from being violated, the people digm. The first paradigm has brought this humanitarian matter. of Palestine and all those orientations about great achievements for that na- Suppressing the people of Palestine which were already aware of the inaccu- tion. It is not without reason that these in a brutal manner, arresting numerous racy of that viewpoint gave it an oppor- days we witness that the Resistance is individuals, looting and murdering peo- tunity. Of course, from the beginning, the being attacked and that intifada is being ple, occupying the lands that belong to Islamic Republic of Iran insisted on the questioned by notorious centers. the Palestinian nation and building- set incorrectness of compromise strategies The enemy is not expected to act oth- tlements in them, making an effort to and warned of their harmful effects and erwise because he is completely aware change the appearance and identity of heavy damages. The opportunity that of the correctness and fruitfulness of this the Holy City of Quds, Masjid al-Aqsa and was given to the compromise procedure path. However, we sometimes witness other holy Islamic and Christian places, brought about destructive effects on the that some of those orientations and even violating the basic rights of citizens and path of resistance and the fighting of the countries which seemingly advocate the many other abuses continue to exist. Palestinian nation, but the only benefit issue of Palestine but which are trying to These acts enjoy the all-out support of that it had was to prove the inaccuracy of divert the true path of those people in the United States of America and some the so-called “realism” outlook in prac- reality, attack the Resistance. Their claim other western governments and unfortu- tice. is that in its decade-long life, the Resist- nately, they do not receive a proper re- Fundamentally the Zionist regime was ance has not yet managed to help Pales- sponse from the world. formed in a way that it could not avoid tine achieve its freedom and therefore, The people of Palestine are proud seeking dominance, suppressing others this method needs to be reconsidered. that Allah the Exalted has given them a and violating the true rights of the Pal- In response, we say that although great favor by helping them to shoulder estinians. This is because its entity and the Resistance has not yet managed to the great responsibility of defending this identity are dependent on the gradual achieve its ultimate goal – the complete Holy Land and Masjid al-Aqsa. The peo- destruction of the identity and entity of freedom of Palestine – it has managed ple of Palestine have no option other Palestine. The illegitimate entity of the to keep the issue of Palestine alive. We than keeping the flames of fighting alight Zionist regime will continue to exist only should ask in what condition we would by relying on Allah the Exalted and by re- if it is founded on the ruins of Palestine’s be now if the Resistance did not exist. lying on their innate capabilities, as they identity and entity. That is why protect- The most important achievement of the have genuinely done so until today. The ing Palestinian identity and guarding all Resistance is creating a major barrier in intifada that has begun for the third time the symbols of this truthful and natural the way of Zionist projects. The Resist- » Cover Story Page 5 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

from Hamas, Kataeb al-Shuhada al-Aqsa from Fath and Kataeb Abu Ali Mustafa from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine- all of which played valuable roles in these wars. Dear guests! The dangers originating from the pres- ence of the Zionist regime should never be ignored! Therefore, the Resistance should benefit from all the necessary tools for continuing its duty. On this path, all regional nations and governments and all freedom seekers in the world should meet the main needs of this resistant na- tion. The main pivot of the Resistance is the steadfastness and endurance of the Palestinian people who have raised cou- rageous and resistant children. Meeting the needs of the Palestinian people and ance’s success lies in imposing a war of begun to retreat. This retreat began with Palestinian resistance is an important attrition on the enemy. In other words, its humiliating withdrawal from southern and vital responsibility which should be it has managed to defeat the main plan Lebanon and it continued with another carried out by all of us. of the Zionist regime, namely dominating humiliating withdrawal from Gaza. No In doing so, we should not ignore the the whole region. one can deny the major and determining basic needs of the Resistance in the West In this process, the essence of the Re- role of the Resistance in the first intifada. Bank because the West Bank shoulders sistance and the soldiers who engaged In the second intifada as well, the role the main burden of the suppressed inti- in resistance from the beginning against of the Resistance was fundamental and fada. By learning from its past, the Pal- the establishment of the Zionist regime outstanding. This was an intifada which estinian Resistance should pay attention and who held up the flag of resistance eventually forced the Zionist regime to to this important point: the Resistance and conveyed it to future generations by leave Gaza. The 33-day war in Lebanon, and Palestine are too lofty and valuable laying down their lives- should be praised and the 22-day, 8-day and 51-day wars to get involved in the differences be- and commemorated. in Gaza were all shining pages in the per- tween Islamic and Arab countries or the The role of the Resistance in post-oc- formance sheet of the Resistance. Those domestic, ethnic and denominational dif- cupation eras is no secret to anyone wars are a source of pride for all regional ferences that exist in different countries. and without a doubt, the victory of the nations, for the world of Islam and for all The Palestinians, particularly Resistance Resistance in the 1973 war cannot be freedom fighters in the world. groups, should appreciate the value of ignored although it was a narrow victo- In the 33-day war, all the ways to help their precious positions and they should ry. Since 1982, the burden of the Resist- the Lebanese nation and the valiant and avoid entering into these differences. Is- ance fell practically on the people inside resistant soldiers of Hezbollah had been lamic and Arab countries and all Islamic Palestine, but the Islamic Resistance of blocked, but by Allah’s favor and with re- and national orientations should be at Lebanon - Hezbollah - turned to help the liance on a great force comprised of the the service of the Palestinian ideal. Palestinians in the path of their fight. If resistant people of Lebanon, the Zionist Supporting the Resistance is the re- the Resistance had not brought the Zi- regime and its main ally – the United sponsibility of all of us. No one has the onist regime to its knees, we would now States of America – suffered a humiliat- right to have special expectations of be witness to its transgressions against ing defeat as a result of which they will them in return for assistance. The only other regional countries – from Egypt to not dare attack that region anymore. The condition for assistance is that such as- Jordan, from Iraq, the Persian Gulf region continuous resistance attempts made by sistance is expended on strengthening to other areas. Gaza – which has now turned into an in- the people of Palestine and the structure This achievement is very important, vincible fortress – showed in the course of the Resistance. Commitment to the but it is not the only achievement that of several wars that this regime is too idea of steadfastness in the face of the the Resistance has made. The liberation weak to resist the willpower of a nation. enemy and to the Resistance in all its di- of southern Lebanon and Gaza is the at- The main hero during Gaza wars is the mensions guarantees the continuation of tainment of two important phased goals courageous and resistant nation which this assistance. in the process of Palestine’s liberation. continues to defend this fortress with re- Our position on the Resistance is a This has helped reverse the process of liance on the power of faith despite en- fundamental position, one which has the geographical expansion of the Zionist during many years of economic siege. It nothing to do with any particular group. regime. is necessary to commemorate all groups We are with every group that is steadfast Since the early 1980, not only has the involved in the Palestinian Resistance- on this path and every group that aban- Zionist regime not been able to trans- including Sarayah al-Quds from Islamic dons this path has drifted away from us. gress against new lands, but it has also Jihad, Kataeb al-Izz ad-Din al-Qassam The depth of our relationship with groups » Cover Story Page 6 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY involved in the Islamic Resistance is only These days, the Resistance is wrestling nations to gradually harness their dif- dependent on the level of their commit- with another plot as well which is the ef- ferences by relying on their common ment to the principle of the Resistance. fort of some so-called friends to divert points and to prepare the ground by Another point that should be raised the resistance and intifada of the people resolving each and every one of those is the existence of some differences be- of Palestine from its course and to sell it differences, for the increasing rein- tween various Palestinian groups. The to the enemies of the Palestinian nation forcement of the Muhammadi (God’s existence of differences of opinion is in their secret transactions with them. greetings be upon him) Ummah. natural and understandable due to the However, the Resistance is so intelligent Lastly, I deem it necessary to once diversity of tastes among these organiza- that it will not fall into this trap. One of more thank all you honorable guests for tions and as long as these differences are the reasons for this is that the people of your valuable presence. Also, I would like confined to this, they will lead to increas- Palestine are the true leaders of fighting to thank the esteemed Speaker of the ing cooperation and depth in the fight and of the Resistance, and past experi- Islamic Consultative Majlis and his col- of the Palestinian people. However, the ences show that by gaining an accurate leagues in the tenth Majlis for the efforts problem begins when these differences understanding of the conditions, they that they made to organize this confer- culminate in skirmishes and – God forbid prevent these deviations. God forbid, if ence. – serious conflicts. one of the Resistance orientations falls I ask God the Benevolent to help all If this happens, these various orien- into this trap, they [the people] can re- you succeed in serving the issue of Pal- tations will practically step into a path produce that need as they have done estine as the most important issue in the that the common enemy of all of them so in the past. If a group puts down the world of Islam and as the pivot of unity wants. They do so by foiling one anoth- flag of Resistance, another group will un- for all Muslims and all liberated individu- er’s powers and capabilities. The man- doubtedly emerge from the heart of the als in the world. agement of disagreements and differ- people of Palestine to hold it up again. God’s greetings and mercy be upon ences of opinion is a skill that should be Without a doubt, in this conference, the lofty souls of all martyrs, particularly utilized by all main orientations. They you honorable participants will only upon the honorable martyrs of resistance should formulate their various fighting attend to Palestine which has been in the face of the Zionist regime, upon all plans in a way that those plans only subject to lack of proper and necessary sincere soldiers of the Resistance front pressure the enemy and help the cause attention in the past few years. Un- and upon the immaculate soul of the to be strengthened. National unity on doubtedly, the existing crises in every founder of the Islamic Republic who paid the basis of a jihadi plan is a national part of the region and the Islamic Um- the upmost attention to the issue of Pal- necessity for Palestine. It is expected mah deserve attention, but what has estine. that all orientations try to achieve this caused this gathering to be held is the May you be successful and victorious. unity in line with the requests of all the issue of Palestine. This conference can Greetings be upon you and Allah’s people of Palestine. be a model for all Muslims and regional mercy and blessings| Cover Story Page 7 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Intl. boycott of Israel only viable way to advance Palestinian cause Interview by: Marjohn Sheikhi

In an exclusive interview with MNA, American political analyst Conn Hallinan stressed the effectiveness of a successful international boycott that would isolate Israel and move the Palestinian agenda forward.

Tehran hosted for two days the 6th International Conference on Palestin- ian Intifada on 21-22 February, 2017. Over 500 foreign guests representing 80 countries attended the event, with speeches from high-ranking officials such as Lebanese, Omani, and Malay- sian parliament speakers in support of the Palestinian cause that has been re- grettably pushed to the margins by the tlements on the West Bank, intensified Donald Trump and Israeli Prime regional and international community in the siege on Gaza, and gained further Minister Netanyahu? Where exactly the past few years. support from the West for its policies. does Donald Trump stand on Israel- Palestine has gone through three In- The situation started to look bleak and Palestine conflict? tifadas (Palestinian uprisings against the despairing for Palestinians who were in It is hard to figure out exactly what Israeli occupation of the West Bank and great need of putting their cause back Trump’s foreign policy is going to be like. Gaza) already. The first, known as Rock on the forefront of international agen- He started off threatening China, pledg- Intifada, dates back to 1987, which was da. Tehran’s conference in support of ing to dump the nuclear pact with Iran, driven by harsh economic, political, so- Palestine’s resistance against Israeli oc- and applauding the potential breakup of cial and security pressures imposed by cupation was an attempt to make the the European Union. He has since mod- the Israeli regime on Palestine and was Palestinian cause relevant again. ified those stands, although his hostili- triggered after an Israeli truck driver ran On this occasion, Mehr News Agency ty to Iran is worrisome. Trump says he over a group of Palestinian workers on reached out to Conn M. Hallinan, a col- backs the two state solution, but then December 9, 1987 in Gaza and caused umnist for Foreign Policy In Focus, who so does Netanyahu and we know he Palestinians’ anger and frustration at is of the firm opinion that the two-state doesn’t. The Israeli prime minister says their dire situation to erupt. The first solution in the Israeli-Palestinian peace what he does because he knows that is Intifada lasted for six years before it re- process is already a lost cause and the what the rest of the world wants, and sulted in the Oslo accord. only viable way to hold Israel back from what a majority of Americans support. The second Intifada, known as Al-Aqsa its aggressive moves against Palestine But it is all smoke and mirrors. The prob- Intifada, began in 2000 after he then Israeli and advance the Palestinian agenda is a lem with Trump is that he is deeply igno- Minister of Settlement, Ariel Sharon, tres- “successful international boycott” that rant on foreign policy and has the atten- passed the al-Aqsa Mosque compound would isolate and damage Israel. tion span of a gnat. Trump is impossible and declared the Oslo accord as over. The The following is Mehr News’ exclusive to figure out because he just shoots his second Intifada which drew in support of interview with Mr. Hallinan who shared mouth off. But while I don’t think Trump Arab and Islamic states for the Palestinian his views with us on the Palestinian sit- is going to abandon the two-state solu- cause continued until 2005 when Israel re- uation, the unpredictability of Trump’s tion, I also don’t think that he will push treated from the Gaza Strip. foreign policy, and the need for an in- the Israelis on it. The third Intifada, known as Quds In- ternational boycotting campaign against tifada, erupted in October 2015 and has Israel as the only way that could prevent uHow probable or improbable is a two- continued to date. Palestinians became the regime’s advancing occupation and state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian exceedingly concerned as their cause political and economic pressures against peace process? Can this really help the was marginalized in the chaos after ISIL Palestinians: Palestinian issue, and if not what are and as Arab states started to normalize other alternatives that could? relations with Israel. Meanwhile, the uWhat is your take on last Wednesday’s The two-state solution is deeply dam- Israeli regime continued to expand set- joint press conference of US President aged, maybe fatally. The settlements » Cover Story Page 8 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

there are two places you don’t want to invade: Yemen and Afghanistan. I would also point out that most Arab countries did very little for the Palestini- ans besides make speeches.

uTehran is hosting a two-day international conference on Palestine in a show of solidarity with the oppressed nation in the face of Israel occupation. How do you assess the overall impact of such events on improving Palestine’s situation? The most effective way to move the Palestinian agenda forward is through international pressure, in particular the boycott campaign. Israel should be treated the same way South Africa was have cut up the West Bank into a series The Europeans have already dealt Tel and isolated internationally. of cantons – more like Bantustans in the Aviv some serious blows. But again, if old apartheid South Africa – and I just Jerusalem is not split between the two uMeanwhile, Paris recently hosted a can’t envision how such a state could ex- parties there is no possibility of a viable Peace Conference on Palestine on Jan. ist independently. The problem is that if Palestinian state. 15, where top official representations it doesn’t happen, then the Palestinians from 70 countries attended expect will continue to live under military occu- uWhy Palestine is no longer the for representatives from the Israeli pation. The Israelis are moving toward a foremost issue of the Muslim government and the Palestinian one-state solution that would mean one community? How come certain Arab Authority. The conference was of two things: either the expulsion of countries are not supportive of the slammed by Netanyahu as futile while the Palestinians to Jordan, or an openly Palestinian cause and instead seek to Palestine welcomed the multilateral apartheid regime with the Palestinians normalize relations with Israel? approach. How do you evaluate the as second-class citizens. My own feeling Part of the problem is that the US impact of this conference especially in is that there should be a viable Palestin- has successfully destroyed Libya and the light of the EU’s apparent friction ian state, which will require removing Iraq, and smashed up Syria. The only with Trump’s various stances? many of the settlements, a divided Jeru- really independent voice in the Middle The EU is very important here. Europe salem, and some kind of compensation East these days is Iran, and to a certain has supported the Israeli occupation (which the international community can extent, Turkey (although Turkey shares through weapons sales, economic aid, help with). Or one secular one state. much of the responsibility for the Syrian and trade. The EU is the largest trade The latter may be best, but I am not war). The [Persian] Gulf monarchs are group on the planet with the greatest convinced that the Palestinians want to looking nervously over their shoulders Gross Domestic Product production in live with the Israelis. The occupation has at their own people. Saudi Arabia is a the world. If the EU follows through and – is – brutal. mess economically and it is in the mid- takes on Israel’s violation of internation- dle of a disastrous intervention in Yem- al law, that could make a major differ- uThere is this growing concern among en. The US and Israel are their natural al- ence. So my view is that every interna- Palestinians that Trump’s administration lies, since the last thing either wants are tional action makes a difference. is going to endorse Israeli settlement independent voices in the Middle East. I program and the move of US embassy have never thought this was about reli- Conn Hallinan is a Foreign Policy In Focus to Jerusalem. How would the embassy gion, but rather religion as a metaphor columnist living in Berkeley, California. relocation impact the situation for for power and control. The attacks on He holds a PhD in Anthropology from Palestine, Israel and the US? the Shias may take the form of religious the University of California, Berkeley. If the Palestinians lose Jerusalem, strife, but it is really aimed at keeping He oversaw the journalism program at they lose 60 percent of their economy Iraq and Syria divided and Iran marginal- the University of California at Santa Cruz and that is a killer. Trump has made mild ized. Egypt depends upon Saudi Arabia for 23 years, and won the UCSC Alumni – very, very mild – protests about the to keep it afloat, so it will support what- Association’s Distinguished Teaching settlements and doesn’t seem to be in a ever the Saudis do, except something Award, as well as UCSC’s Innovations hurry to move the embassy. If he does, really stupid, like invading Yemen. The in Teaching Award, and Excellence in Israel and the US will find themselves Egyptians are too smart to get involved Teaching Award. He was also a college isolated internationally, and the Israelis in that debacle, plus they tried that in provost at UCSC, and retired in 2004. He do fear that. A successful international the 1970s and found out what every is a winner of a Project Censored “Real boycott would severely damage Israel. common sense person knows, that News Award”| Cover Story Page 9 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Syrian Parl. Speaker: Israel bound to perish sooner or later Hadiya Khalaf Abbas, Speaker of the were not for Iran’s support, the resist- People’s Council of Syria, told Mehr ance of Syrian nation would have not News that the Israeli regime will resulted in victory.” perish sooner or later because of their The Syrian parliament speaker usurpation of Palestinians’ rights and touched upon her country’s cooperation occupation of their territories. with the Islamic Republic in combating Takfiri terrorism in Syria, adding “this co- Speaker of the People’s Council of operation and support have yielded very Syria Hadiya Khalaf Abbas made the re- good results and the crisis in Syria has mark in response to a question by Mehr moved toward a more manageable state News correspondent on the sidelines of both politically and military wise.” the 6th International Conference on Pal- Highlighting the need for further ex- estinian Intifada currently underway in pansion of Tehran-Damascus relations, the current dire situation of Palestinian Tehran with representatives of 80 coun- she maintained that Syria attaches great people, adding “the conference can have tries in attendance. importance to all-out cooperation with very good impact in support of the Pales- She also voiced the appreciation of Iran. tinian cause, especially under the current Syrian people for Iran’s unsparing and She further deemed the holding of Teh- situation where Arab and Western coun- generous supports to Syria in fighting ran’s conference in support of Palestinian tries are trying to make the world forget terrorism, adding “without doubt, if it Intifada of high importance considering about the issue of Palestine.” Israel a Jewish State, not democracy ministration will definitely take side on Trump is the Jewish billionaire Shel- with the Jewish state bolstered by the don Adelson, who made his fortune Knesset in Tel Aviv who would not be in the casino business like the Trump satisfied with less than expelling all family. Adelson is the richest and most Palestinians from the West Bank. generous supporter of the illegal set- Bresheeth implicates famous Jewish tlements, as well as the owner of the tycoon Sheldon Adelson in the Jewish Israeli free paper Hayom, which is the settlement case where he actively sup- main supporter of Netanyahu and the ported financially the building of illegal extreme right in Israel. Trump lacks any houses in Palestinian territories; the knowledge or understanding of the transfer of capital to Al-Quds, especial- conflict of Israel/Palestine, does not ly eastern part of what UN designate know or care about it being a colonial Interview by: Vandad Alvandipour as an international zone, will be a blow conflict, and like any white suprema- to international convention no other cist Islamophobe supports the coloni- A University of East London professor US president had ever dared to defy: alists against the indigenous people, and an avid anti-Zionist has said with not to mention that his hostility to -Ar Trump in the White House, prospects uTrump has declared that the US abs and Muslims makes the Palestini- of the Palestinians will be more and embassy in Tel Aviv will be transfered ans automatic enemies in his limited more slim for recognition of their to Jerusalem. What are the reasons of and narrow view of the world. rights by Israelis. this transfer, and what would be its By moving the embassy to Jeru- message? salem Al-Quds, a move which no US Professor Haim Bresheeth draws a Trump’s policy on Israel/Palestine is president has agreed to since the 1948 pessimistic image, as he himself ad- crafted by his son-in-law, Jared Kush- Nakba, Trump will be striking massive mits but painfully holds it as reality, of ner, an orthodox Jew and a strong blow against the UN, and its under- the Palestinian-Israeli conflict where supporter of the illegal settlements in standing that Jerusalem Al-Quds, not the Zionist extreme right-wingers had the West Bank. Kushner has paid much to mention East Jerusalem, are both effectively blocked road to a hopeful towards the settlements both person- illegally occupied by Israel. The Resolu- situation and a viable solution to the ally and through the Trump organiza- tion 181 of November 1947, which has conflict; he believes that Trump ad- tion. The second source of influence partitioned Palestine into two states, » Cover Story Page 10 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY has left Jerusalem as an international Israel. Indeed, even such corrupt re- ians were NEVER treated equally, and zone protected by the UN, hence Isra- gimes such as Saudi Arabia and Al Sisi’s lived under a military government un- el’s occupation of it is illegal, and so is Egypt, who are closely associated with til 1966. Even after the abolition of the moving embassies into it. By moving the US and Israel, will find it difficult if Military Government, the Palestinians the embassy to Jerusalem Al-Quds, not impossible to control popular an- in Israel, almost 22% of the popula- Trump will be in fact saying that he ger in their countries. Such a move tion, have never enjoyed equality as cit- rejects the judgement of the interna- could bring about widespread protests izens, and this is now truer than ever. tional community through the UN, as which may lead to changing the pow- In the last few years, tens of new laws well as the rights of the Palestinians al- er-balance in the Middle East. passed by the Knesset, have removed together. In fact, this move is the sup- most of the rights from the Palestini- port of Pax Israeliana, an arrangement uIsrael claims to be a democratic an citizens of Israel, and even removed depending on Israeli and US guns, and state, at the same time it emphasizes the Arabic language as an official lan- on a final rejection of any national on Jewish identity and its foundation guage of Israel. The Palestinians in rights for Palestine. No US President is based on occupation. What do you the rest of Palestine are still living un- has done anything like that. think about this contradiction? der a brutal military occupation, with Of course, Israel is not now, nor has no civil or political rights whatsoever. uHow would this Transfer affect the it ever been a democratic state. Israel Marx has once said: “a nation which US relations with Islamic countries? is no longer defining itself as democ- oppresses another nation, cannot -it As every Muslim knows, Jerusalem racy - this description was removed by self be free.” This is very true about Al-Quds and the Al Aqsa Mosque are the Knesset almost three years ago - it Israel, which is not even democratic the third most holy place for Muslims, now describes itself as a Jewish State, towards Jews, with racism and ha- after Mecca and Medina. By moving which is obviously undemocratic. Any tred towards Mizrahi Jews (Jews from the embassy to Jerusalem, Trump, an country which is claiming to be based the Arab world and Iran) and towards enemy of Islam and the Arabs, will in ef- on single religion as its identity cannot Black Jews from Ethiopia. If for the Pal- fect be annulling the rights of Muslims by definition be democratic, if it has estinians Israel is an Apartheid state, it and Christians in the city. This is likely substantial minorities of people from is also undemocratic towards many of to cause a huge problem in the Middle different religions. Israel has never its Jewish citizens. East for the US, with demonstrations behaved as democracy, ever since its and much hostility towards the US and inception in 1948 - the Arab Palestin- uSome say that there is no one » Cover Story Page 11 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY in Labor Party to compete with Netanyahu. What is your opinion? The Labor Party has changed its name to the ‘Zionist Camp’ few years ago, to mark the fact that it has noth- ing to do with the left. Even before that time, the Labor Party, as the strongest and most dominant political power in Israel, was the political power which had carried out the Nakba, was re- sponsible to the ethnic cleansing of over 750,000 Palestinians from their homes and for not allowing them to return after the end of the war.- Pe res and Ben-Gurion have together ar- ranged the tripartite attack on Egypt in 1956, together with the colonialist Adelson) is supporting both, for exam- This French proposal is actually a fail- powers of Britain and France, and were ple - is very dangerous for the Palestin- ure even before it was made - it offers also responsible for the 1967 war. Af- ians. Israel has had a long-established the Palestinians very little, and to the ter that war, they were responsible for plan to further ethnic cleansing of Pal- Israelis it offers less than control over the illegal settlements which started estinians, by using regional local tense the whole of Palestine - something to be built immediately after the war situation to launch mass expulsion of the current Israeli government, and its ended. They were also responsible for Palestinians across the river Jordan. As racialized xenophobic public will not the racist apartheid policies of the His- there was never a president in the US for a moment consider seriously. The tadrut, which supported different pay which was as supportive as Trump of only just peace for both sides has to be for the same jobs for Jews and Arabs. Israeli war crimes, it is very likely that forced on Israel, like the end of Apart- Now that they lost power and are out this plan will be realized during his heid was forced upon South Africa. of government, they sometimes would tenure. Indeed, another political plat- The only power capable of so doing is like us to believe that it was the right- form shared by Trump and Netanyahu the US, and it will not do so - it actu- wing in Israel which is responsible for is their hostility towards and wish to ally does the opposite; thus, no peace much of these crimes, but any histor- attack Iran; such an attack is likely to moves in the current power balance ical account reveals that there was no destabilize the whole Middle East, and can be effective or serious - these are great difference between left and right to give Israel the chance to enact mas- symbolic voices which are undertaken when it comes to the Palestine ques- sive expulsion of Palestinians with the for internal and external political rea- tion. Thus, whether they put another support of the US. This makes this new sons, and not really for resolving the candidate against Netanyahu, the pol- closeness between both regimes even colonial conflict in Palestine. This may icies will not change, as the whole Is- more dangerous to region and world sound very negative or pessimistic, raeli society has moved strongly to the peace. but unfortunately, it is the real situa- right and has become extremely na- tion right now. The most likely result tionalistic and xenophobic. At the mo- uA procedure for peace between of such imbalanced power relations in ment, its leaders, Herzog and Livni, are Israel and Palestine has been the Middle East is a further erosion of perceived as Netanyahu-lite, and thus proposed by France. How do you the life and rights of the Palestinians. are unlikely to attract much electoral see France proposal future following Only massive change in public opinion, support, in the likely case of fresh elec- Trumps grasp on power? and a strong BDS campaign against tions, if Netanyahu is charged with cor- Unfortunately, France, like the rest Israel Apartheid and its atrocities can ruption in the next couple of months, of the EU, has not done anything since change this; one hopes that this will which looks almost certain. 1967 to assist a just peace in Palestine. happen over the next few years. With- This panicky attempt by Paris to save out such campaign, the situation will uIt seems that Trump will support something before a Trump takeover only further deteriorate. Netanyahu and Israel (more than did was just that - a useless attempt to be Obama.) Considering this, is there any politically correct, and to suggest a po- Professor Haim Bresheeth is a filmmaker, possibility that Israel takes a more litical move which will be supported by photographer and a film studies scholar, violent stance against Palestinians? Arab and Muslim countries - as well as retired from the University of East There is no doubt in my mind that by its own Muslim population, which is London, where he worked since early the closeness between Trump and Ne- now living under the threat of a fascist 2002. He now teaches at the School of tanyahu - the same billionaire (Sheldon president being elected in few months. Oriental and African Studies (SOAS)| Cover Story Page 12 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Iran’s anti-Zionism political rhetoric still loud Interview by: Mohammad Mazhari Friedman, as an ambassador to Israel. It is expected that he will continue sup- Tehran hosted, in recent days, The porting Israel, and will obstruct any at- International Conference on Palestine tempt to bring just and comprehensive Intfada in solidarity with the people of peace to the region which guarantees Palestine. the rights of the Palestinian people. It is unlikely that we will see Trump moving In conjunction with tightening meas- towards peace in Palestine. ures against Palestinians by Israel and Trump’s decision to move US Embassy to uWhat will be the reaction of Arabic Jerusalem, hundreds of foreign guests, and Islamic countries if Trump moves including senior Palestinian leaders from the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Hamas and Jihad movements and offi- Jerusalem? cials of Muslim nations, came together If Trump moves the US embassy to in the two-day event to discuss solutions East Jerusalem, he would violate UNSC for Palestine issue. MNA asked Elias Far- anti settlement resolution 2334 which hat, the former head of Lebanon’s ar- considers Israeli settlements illegitimate my’s Staff and Command College about estinian land. Nevertheless, the Oslo and calls for ceasing the building of set- the event and its possible implications agreements have made the promised tlements. The US embassy would hence for the future of Intifada: Palestinian state so fragile and given a be considered illegal because it will be green light for the Israelis to build set- built on Palestinian land. Unfortunately, uWhat is the importance of Palestine tlements in the occupied West bank some Arab countries have diplomatic issue for Arab and Islamic nations? Why and Gaza, thus complicating the two ties with Israel, others have relations should the world support Palestinian state solution. Recently Netanyahu through secret channels, so it is difficult people? presented his proposal: A Jewish state. to see a brave position taken by Arab The Palestinian question is the cen- This has blown up both the one state and Muslim countries. However, the tral concern of the Arab and Islamic (restricted on the Jews) and two states Arab and Muslim masses will oppose world. It is a just and fair cause about solutions. It is hard to implement ei- and protest the compliance of their po- a people who were driven from their ther of them, so, peace in the region is litical regimes. homeland by force and replaced by set- still far of being achieved. tlers brought from many parts of the uHow do you see the impact of world under questionable religious pre- uHow do you evaluate approach of regional struggles between some texts. The state of Israel was created on new American administration toward Arabic countries on Palestinian issue the Palestinian land. More important, Is- Palestinian people and their rights? and weakening of Palestine position rael occupies Islamic and Christian holy President Trump during his campaign and importance in the world? shrines in Jerusalem which is a great expressed his support for Israel, he Palestinian people were left without insult for 1,3 billion Muslims all over talked a lot about peace in the middle support of their brother Arab and Mos- the world. Supporting the Palestinian east but did not clarify his ideas. After lem countries in facing the Israeli ag- people is a moral, religious and national being elected he announced his decision gression. They were forced to halt their duty for all Arabs and Muslims to appoint his son-in-law Jared Kushner resistance against the Israeli occupation an adviser, and assigned him the task of and encouraged to negotiate their oc- uDo you think the solution of two making peace between Israel and the cupier. Unfortunately, this lead to lose states will be surefire and can it return Palestinians. more land, sovereignty and freedom. the peace to middle east? When he received Israeli prime min- Iran is the only country which supported Ever since the UN General Assembly ister Netanyahu in the white house, all the Palestinian people and its armed resolution 194 ,1947 and UN security president Trump took a crucial decision resistance. Iran political rhetoric is still council resolutions 242 and 338, the declaring that he will not abide by the loud and condemns Israeli aggressions solution of two states was adopted two state solution and he will support and violations to human rights and in- in the diplomatic track but never im- any solution both sides agree upon. ternational law. Iran and its allies and plemented. This solution ignores the This indicates that Trump is not serious friends seize any opportunity to disclose right of return for people who were in looking for any solution, instead he all Israeli crimes and show them to the driven out from so called 1948 Pal- has chosen a supporter of settlements, international public. Cover Story Page 13 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Trump helps Israeli regime expand “Jewish Only” settlements Interview by: Lachin Rezaian hard line right-wing Jewish nation- alists who live in illegal settlements Canadian Human Rights Attorney and have invested billions of dollars in Edward Corrigan denounced US expanding the Jewish presence in the embassy’s move to Jerusalem, saying occupied West Bank. The 2.5 million it will in the short term embolden Palestinians who live in the West Bank the Zionists in Israel to steal more cannot vote in the “Jewish State’s” Palestinian land and expand the elections. The Palestinians are almost “Jewish Only” settlements. powerless and live under a brutal mil- itary occupation. Corrigan asserted that today more This harsh reality is that Trump, than 130 countries, and the Vatican, perhaps without knowing it, highlight- now officially recognize the State of ed the need for a “One State” solution Palestine. “Increased awareness in status of Jerusalem is decided in ne- where all residents have equal rights. progressive and liberal Jewish circles gotiations between the Palestinians Current Israel President Reuven has caused more and more Jews to and the Israelis. However, words and Rivlin strongly opposed a law, recently also speak out in support of the Pales- diplomatic measures will not do there passed by the Knesset which allows tinians,” he noted. has to be real economic and political private Palestinian land to be expro- Hailing the International Confer- pressure put on the Trump Adminis- priated in order to retroactively le- ence in support of “Palestinian Inti- tration to stop this Embassy move. galize Illegal Jewish settlements. The fada” held in Iran, Canadian attorney passage of the so¬-called “Regulariza- said it can marshal support from the uHow do you evaluate Trump’s tion¬ Law” could, according to Rivlin, World Muslim community to support position and possible actions cause Israel “to look like an apartheid the Palestinians and to strongly op- regarding the two-state solution? state.” pose US President Trump’s proposal What would the situation (Israel- Rivlin has come out in favour of to move the US Embassy in Israel to Palestine conflicts) go in Trump’s “One State” option with equal rights Jerusalem. term? for all of its citizens. He knows that Israel has always sought an alli- US President Trump when he re- the alternative is a fully entrenched ance with non-Arab countries in the cently met with Israeli Prime Minister Jewish Apartheid State or a Jewish Middle East namely Turkey, and Iran Netanyahu said that he would sup- state that has ethnically cleansed under the Shah and also with Ethio- port either a “One State” or a “Two most non-Jews from its territory. Riv- pia to strengthen its military position State” solution to the Israeli-Pales- lin knows that the World will not tol- against the Arabs, Corrigan noted tinian problem. This statement broke erate either of these options. in an exclusive interview with Mehr with a long-standing American po- News Agency: sition of at least giving lip service to uWhy does Trump seek to move US the “Two State” solution. For Netan- Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem? uWhat are the outcomes and yahu this gives him a “green light” for Does he want to establish a political advantages of International further expansion of “Jewish Only” base in Jerusalem? What are the Conference in support of “Palestinian settlements in the West Bank and to political incentives behind it? Intifada” held in Iran? support right-wing Zionist efforts to Trump is by nature a political bully. Hopefully the conference can mar- drive more Palestinians from their He is also catering to the well-organ- shal support from the World Muslim homeland. ized Christian Zionist movement in community to support the Palestini- The irony is that many Palestinians the United States and who supported ans and to strongly oppose US Pres- realize that the presence of more than him in the US election. Trump is also ident Trump’s proposal to move the 500,000 Jewish settlers in the West attempting to get right-wing Jewish US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. Bank, who can vote in Israel’s elec- Zionists in the United States to sup- Trump is breaking with a long-stand- tions, means that the Two-State solu- port him. This move will in the short ing American policy of keeping their tion is dead. Almost no Israeli Jewish term embolden the Zionists in Israel Embassy in Tel Aviv until the final Party can afford to alienate these to steal more Palestinian land and ex- » Cover Story Page 14 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

pand the “Jewish Only” settlements. gional states to strengthen its military to dominate the politics of the “Jew- It will be much more difficult for the position against the Arabs. It remains ish State,” are so extreme that even Palestinians living under Israeli occu- to be seen if Turkey’s Muslim identi- many European states are showing in- pation. ty will prevail over its so-called per- creased support for the Palestinians. ceived benefits of a strategic alliance The Zionist extremists are the Pales- uWhat is your evaluation about with Israel. It is here that the Muslim tinians best friend in terms of promot- Turkey’s conference on Palestinian World can reach out to the Muslims ing their cause. However, the West issue on February 25-26 and due to of Turkey. has still not overcome their guilt over the friendly ties between Turkey and past terrible treatment of Jews in Eu- Israel, will it be useful to Palestinians uWhy Palestinian issue is not only rope and the Zionists exploit this guilt politically? What are the outcomes the issue of Muslim World anymore to great effect. Times are, however, of Turkey-Israel ties for oppressed but expanded to the whole world? changing and the current generation Palestinians? More and more people are ex- see’s what Israel is doing to the Pales- The Turkish conference can only pressing their support for the Pales- tinians today and are not burdened so help the Palestinians. Most Turks tinians. More than 130 countries, and much by guilt from the past. are supportive of the Palestinian the Vatican, now officially recognize cause and even Turkey’s President the State of Palestine. As awareness Edward C. Corrigan holds a B.A. in Erdogan is sympathetic. When Israel of Israel’s violation of Palestinian civil History and a Master’s Degree in attacked the Turkish boat that was and political rights and its Apartheid Political Science from the University bringing food and medical supplies like policies becomes known it is dif- of Western Ontario. He also has a to Gaza and killed a number of Turk- ficult not to be sympathetic to the Law Degree from the University of ish citizens there was genuine out- Palestinians. Increased awareness in Windsor and was called to the Bar of rage in Turkey. progressive and liberal Jewish circles the Law Society of Upper Canada in Israel has, however, always sought has caused more and more Jews to 1992. His academic area of expertise an alliance with non-Arab countries also speak out in support of the Pal- is the Middle East and he has in the Middle East namely Turkey, estinians. published many articles in academic and Iran under the Shah and also In a strange sort of way Netanya- publications including Middle East with Ethiopia. Israel has sought these hu and the other right-wing Jewish Policy, Middle East International, strategic alliances with non-Arab re- Zionist extremists, who have come Outlook and Z Magazine| Politics Politics Page 16 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Anti-Saudi Trump; will it work?

By: Parnaz Talebi the Presidential nomination. Later he an- the oil at all and we could let everybody nounced that he would consider stopping else fight it out,” Trump said. Trump also Trump’s recent executive order on US US oil purchase from the Saudis and also criticized Saudi Arabia’s intervention in entry ban excludes countries like Saudi other Arab allies during his campaign as Yemen and said that the kingdom would Arabia despite his anti-Saudi remarks. the Republican’s front-runner. He made soon need help “Saudi Arabia is going to the comments in an interview with New be in big trouble pretty soon and they’re “The defense of Saudi Arabia is vital to York Times back in March 2016 on his going to need help, because if you look at the defense of the United States,” Rooz- foreign policy. In response to a question Yemen and you look at that border, you velt has said back in 1943. The United about whether, if elected president, he don’t have to be an expert to know that States and Saudi Arabia have been allies would halt oil purchases from US allies is one long border, and they’re not going enjoying solid ties since 1945, the time unless they provided on-the-ground forc- in for Yemen, they’re going in for the oil, when the vitality of such an oil resource es against ISIL, Trump said “probably yes.” they’re going in for Saudi Arabia, so Saudi became clear for the then US President “We’re not being reimbursed for the Arabia is going to need help,” Trump said Franklin Roosevelt. kind of tremendous service that we’re in the same interview. Jimmy Carter’s policy, “Carter Doc- performing by protecting various coun- Trump’s anti-Saudi remarks can even trine”, which took effect on 1980, -forti tries. Now Saudi Arabia’s one of them,” be traced in presidential debates. “We fied the ties further. “Let our position be Trump has noted. Trump even went fur- defend Japan, we defend Germany, we absolutely clear: An attempt by any out- ther saying that Saudi Arabia owes its defend South Korea, we defend Saudi side force to gain control of the Persian existence to US and its unwavering pro- Arabia, we defend countries. They do Gulf region will be regarded as an assault tection “If Saudi Arabia was without the not pay us. But they should be paying us, on the vital interests of the United States cloak of American protection, I don’t because we are providing tremendous of America, and such an assault will be re- think it would be around.” service and we’re losing a fortune. That’s pelled by any means necessary, including Maybe at first many believe that this why we’re losing—we’re losing—we lose military force,” was the key conclusion of is again one of his strange remarks dur- on everything. I say, who makes these— Carter’s State of Union Address on Janu- ing the campaign but surprisingly this was we lose on everything,” Trump said in ary 1980 that set the ground for policies not the last time. Trump continued the first presidential debate with Hilary Clin- deterring Soviet Union’s influence in the tradition during the campaign in his major ton. In the same debate Trump under- Middle East and defending US’ national speeches. Trump continuously underlined lined that these countries either have to interests in the region. that his policy regarding US’ Arab allies defend themselves or pay for the servic- The tradition has been persistent particularly Saudi Arabia would be differ- es they receive from the United States. throughout the history during terms of ent. On August, Trump had an interview Trump even touched upon the human different presidents yet an exception with NBC during which he said he is “not rights issues in Saudi Arabia during the emerged during the 2016 presidential a big fan of the kingdom.” “The primary third debate “these are people that kill election campaigns; Donald Trump. reason we’re with Saudi Arabia is because women and treat women horribly. And Trump started his anti-Saudi campaign we need the oil,” Trump said. “Now we yet you take their money; why don’t you by calling the kingdom “big, big trouble” don’t need the oil so much, and if we let give back the money that you’ve taken when he announced his candidacy for our people really go, we wouldn’t need from certain countries that treat certain » Politics Page 17 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY groups of people so horribly? Why don’t ington. Sources also announced Saudi fight against ISIL. “The president request- you give back the money?” Trump said to Arabia would reconsider its initial public ed, and the King agreed, to support safe Hillary Clinton criticizing her for receiving offering (IPO) of the Saudi largest state- zones in Syria and Yemen,” the statement money from Saudi Arabia. owned oil company Saudi Aramco on said. The statement also said Saudi king Persian Gulf Arab states, largely Sau- New York Stock Exchange. has invited Trump “to lead a Middle East di Arabia as the leader of the coalition Trump’s anti-Saudi remarks also could effort to defeat terrorism and to help against Syrian government and Yemen, be interpreted in the same concept. His build a new future, economically and so- are really concerned about Trumps’ ap- stance against the Saudi Arabia caused cially,” for Saudi Arabia and the region. proach against terrorism and his will for greater concern for the kingdom when it Promising financial supports and fund- cooperation with Syria and Russia. The become clear that he would run the Arab ing for creating safe zones in Syria and cooperation would have tragic results country’s powerful ally for the next four Yemen indicates Saudi Arabia is well con- for Arab states that have invested heav- years. Trump closed a number of compa- cerned about Trump’s policies and try to ily in opposition groups to topple down nies associated with Saudi Arabia before bribe him into closer ties. The idea of cre- President Bashar Assad, the idea Trump his inauguration as the US president, re- ating safe zones in Syria was raised during doesn’t support. He has also made it portedly to “avoid potential conflicts of Obama administration, but went off the clear that he wouldn’t help financially the interests” after taking the office. table when Pentagon estimated it to cost opposition groups despite the Obama’s Trump started his presidency with some $1 billion each month. government. signing an executive order on banning na- The deal clearly indicates what new JASTA is another concern for Saudi tionals of 7 countries including Iran, Iraq, strategic ties would mean for US and Arabia. The Justice against Sponsors of Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Saudi Arabia. Obviously Washington and Terrorism Act, enacted during last days The act does not enlist countries like Riyadh will remain closest allies and that of Obama’s term, allows Americans to Saudi Arabia yet Trump announced in an would be simplistic to imagine the break sue Saudi Arabia and its officials for al- interview with ABC News that citizens of up of the 70-year relations under acts like leged complicity in the 9/11 attacks. For countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan and JASTA or a president like Trump. Saudi sure the real intention behind JASTA was Saudi Arabia would face extreme vetting; Arabia needs US for security reasons and not terrorism and suing Saudis, which “We are excluding certain countries. But its support regardless of all Saudis’ crimes would have dire consequences for Wash- for other countries, we’re gonna have ex- in the region. US, on the other hand, is ington-Riyadh strategic ties; JASTA was treme vetting. It’s going to be very hard to heavily dependent on geopolitical and approved to be used as a leverage to im- come in. Right now it’s very easy to come strategic position of Saudi Arabia in Mid- pose pressure on Saudi Arabia to grant in. It’s gonna be very, very hard. I don’t dle East, its oil and economy and its sup- more privileges to US in the region and want terror in this country,” Trump said. port for the Zionist regime. Latest develop- also let Americans confiscate Saudi assets Few days later, Trump and Saudi Ara- ments, well-organized by the United States, invested in US. bia’s King Salman had a telephone call would result in more privileged Washington Riyadh reacted to US’ developments, during which they agreed to support safe who would use every single opportunity to JASTA and election of Trump as president, zones in Syria and Yemen, according to threaten the kingdom and make it com- by suspending its investment in US to re- White House statement. They had also pensate for it, thus moving forward its think its financial strategy toward Wash- agreed on strengthening joint efforts to own national interests in the region| Politics Page 18 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Challenges of new UN chief By: Mina Ahmadi

Antonio Guterres was recently handed over the helm of the United Nations as one of the toughest diplomatic jobs in the world while the world community, in the face of many challenges today, hope the new chief of the global body to settle world problems more properly.

Guterres, 67, was Prime Minister of Portugal from 1995 to 2002, and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees from June 2005 to December 2015. He has become the world’s top diplomat on 1 January 2017 and would assume that position for the next five years. Undoubtedly, Guterres is inheriting several most complicated challenges to peace and security that the world fac- “On the contrary, prevention is best acts of terrorism. es, including the war in Syria, Europe served by strong sovereign states, acting He called the drive to end armed con- migrant crisis, Africa mistrust to UN and for the good of their people,” he said. flict “a battle for values”. climate change. Guterres also asked the council to make As per the Article 98 of the UN Char- greater use of Chapter 6 of the UN Char- Mideast Crises ter, the secretary general as head of ter, which allows the body to investigate Following his election, Guterres had the UN Secretariat shall act as the chief and recommend procedures to resolve vowed to work as a “convener” and administrative officer ‘in all meetings disputes that could eventually endanger “bridge-builder” to help find solutions of the General Assembly, of the Securi- international peace and security. to the world’s rising challenges. ty Council, of the Economic and Social He outlined steps he was taking to build At the moment, with the political and Council and the Trusteeship Council, the United Nations’ prevention capabili- military vast crises in the Middle East, and shall perform other functions as are ties, which he described as “fragmented”. and the dire situation causing a varie- entrusted to him by these organs’. ty of irreparable consequences to the Sprawling Bureaucracy international community, the role the Rules-based International Order On Dec 12, 2016, Guterres was sworn United Nations can assume to achieve In his first address to the 15-member in as Secretary-General of the United a general consensus among world coun- council since taking office on January 1, Nations, becoming the ninth UN chief in tries and its rapid reaction against fu- Guterres stressed that “the United Na- the body’s 71-year history. ture crises tend to be in the spotlight tions was established to prevent war by Guterres addressed the 193 member more than ever. binding us in a rules-based international nations, saying the world body must order.” work to simplify, decentralize and make Europe Migrant Crisis New United Nations secretary-gen- more flexible its sprawling bureaucracy, The Europe migrant crisis and the big eral has urged the Security Council to Thehindu.com wrote. wave of the war refugees leaving their take more action to prevent conflicts in- “The United Nations needs to be nim- homes in the Middle East to find a safe stead of just responding to them, as he ble, efficient and effective. It must focus haven in Europe and the terrible con- pledged to build the world body’s medi- more on delivery and less on process, ditions these refugees face in the tem- ation capacity. more on people and less on bureaucracy.” porary camps they are sheltered in are He added too many opportunities another problems need to be properly to prevent conflicts had been lost due Syria Conflict ‘Top Priority’ addressed. to mistrust among states and concerns Guterres says he will make ending It is expected that Guterres by rely- over national sovereignty. Syria’s civil war his top priority. ing on his experiences as a former UN “Such concerns are understandable, “I believe it is the international com- High Commissioner for Refugees find in a world where power is unequal and munity’s first priority to be able to end a more efficient solution to the global principles have sometimes been applied this conflict,” he told the BBC. problem. selectively. Indeed, prevention should Guterres said the world now faced Time for Reform never be used to serve other political a dangerous moment, with even coun- The same helplessness and at times goals,” he told the council. tries far from warzones threatened by disunity has marked the UN’s response » Politics Page 19 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY to the civil war that ravaged South Sudan for three years. A US initiative to impose an Political analyst: arms embargo failed, winning only seven votes from the 15 countries that sit on the Pakistan largely losing Security Council. The approximately 13,000 peacekeep- ers deployed in the country have been strategic importance for US criticized for failing to protect the civilians crowding UN bases. Elsewhere on the continent, accusations of rape have permanently tarnished the reputation of UN peacekeepers in the Cen- tral African Republic. Guterres has acknowledged the criti- cism, saying “it is time for the United Na- tions to recognize its shortcomings and to reform the way it works.” Presently, however, Guterres needs to do something to overcome the mistrust shaped in the African countries towards the United Nations and its activities there. There are several reports suggesting that some UN aid workers and peacekeepers have abused women and children in ex- change for providing them with food and drinking water. Interview by: Vahid Pourtajrischi cumbent. Pakistan was largely under Unfortunately, many such crimes have the influence of foreign powers es- been left unpunished and the secretary An international relations analyst pecially big brother Saudi Arabia and general needs to followed up the cases. has believed Pakistan has largely lost thus the Peace Pipeline was largely importance for the US with the latter delayed by the Pakistani side and gar- Climate Change Dilemma possibly coming to a sort of détente nered Iran’s reprimands and displeas- Under Ban Ki-moon, representatives of with Shia Iran and with Afghanistan ure, he believed. Keskar also said that 195 UN member states adopted the Par- now not a field for the US to play Iran would not join IMA spearheaded is agreement within the United Nations politics. by Saudi Arabia since the majority of Framework Convention on Climate Change. the members had been Saudi allies The major agreement sets out a global Vahid Pourtajrischi of Mehr News and hostile to Iranian presence in the action plan to put the world on track to International Service asked Mr. Ke- region including in Yemen, Syria, and avoid dangerous climate change by limiting dar Keskar, an international relations Iraq, among other things. global warming to well below 2°C. analyst and an expert of Asian affairs u According to Guterres, the landmark about Pakistan’s position in the Asia Pakistan has claimed recently that it agreements such as the Paris Climate Agree- in interplay between the US and Chi- will stop implementing Iran-Pakistan ment “lay out a clear strategy for action.” na. He cast doubt on the authenticity gas pipeline known as Peace Pipeline Moving forward, the United Nations of the claim made by the Sunni coun- until full easing of US sanctions against should focus on “implementation, imple- tries members of the Saudi Arabia’s Iran. India on the other hand, seeks mentation, implementation,” he stressed. Islamic Military Alliance (IMA) to to join Iran-Oman-India new pipeline Guterres put the spotlight on “global fight terrorism as major members are project instead of the Peace Pipeline. mega-trends,” and says it is crucial the in- Saudi allies which had been fostering How do you evaluate the future of notorious terrorist groups; however, Iran-Pakistan pipeline? ternational community understands them. Mr. Keskar believes that it was better The future of Iran-Pakistan pipe- “We live in times of multiple, evolving and than anything else that would never line seems bleak for number of rea- mutually-reinforcing shifts.” happen as a Muslim response to ter- sons. The first and very crucial factor The dynamics of “geopolitical, demo- rorism as a novelty in the region. is lack of quick decision-making and graphic, climatic, technological, social and Keskar also envisioned a grim fu- implementation on the part of Paki- economic nature, enhance threats and op- ture for Iran-Pakistan’s much-vaunt- stan. The deadline to complete the portunities on an unprecedented scale,” he ed Peace Pipeline largely because project was December 2014, which is says. there had been a state of indecision already lapsed. Iran has conveyed its Guterres points out that “climate change in implementation of major projects displeasure to Pakistan for number of affects economies and peoples, their lands, in Pakistan, regardless of the govern- times over the issue of delay. The Pa- oceans and seas,” identifying it as a source ment, either military or civilian, in- kistani establishment blames the so- of conflict in the world| » Politics Page 20 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

called ‘external factors’ as the real cul- ISIS, etc., on the soil of Pakistan chal- background, these two nations are try- prits. It has some credible base too. But lenges the economic development of ing to display their anti-terror commit- that can’t be blamed solely. Be it current Pakistan and the peace in the region. Pa- ment. This is as funny and dubious as Nawaz Sharif regime or Yousuf Raza Gil- kistan is a country that possesses nucle- that of Xi Jinping championing globaliza- lani’s tenure or any other civilian or mil- ar weapons which makes the situation tion in Davos. itary rule, lack of quick decision-making more dangerous. It will be a nightmare It’s already high time now for a fight and implementation has remained the for any peace-loving country if terrorists against terrorism by Islamic nations hallmark of Pakistani Government. take control of a nuclear weapon. themselves. This alliance can be consid- The next major reason is that Paki- As far as the turn in US-Pakistan re- ered as an act of better late than - nev stan’s foreign policy is basically dictated lations is concerned, this process of er. But expecting too much from this by some big powers. Pakistan has no change has begun way back but with alliance will be a strategic innocence. freedom of setting its own foreign policy. slow pace. US has lost its interest in Af- Pakistan is trying to convince Iran that Earlier US and now China guides Pakistan ghanistan and has got involved in Syr- the 39-nation alliance is not targeting in key issues. Similarly, Pakistan is heavily ia-Iraq on one hand and in South China Tehran. Though the said objective is an- dependent on Saudi Arabia for financial Sea on the other. Hence Pakistan has lost ti-terrorism, how can one neglect the aid and Wahabi Sunni mentorship. It is any strategic significance to US. fact that most of the members are Saudi said that Saudi Arabia successfully pres- It’s not that there is shift in US policy to- allies? And how can one believe in the surized Pakistan to delay and decay the wards Pakistan only. Long-standing Amer- words of the perpetrators of the terror- Peace Pipeline with Iran and increased ican ally Saudi Arabia is also now getting ism. Similarly the challenge of the terror- its own fuel supply to Pakistan. Isn’t it close to China. The warm handshake of ism is so grave and widespread through- self-explanatory that India, which has the US and Iran, and various other deci- out Middle-East that it is hardly possible developed strong ties with the US, could sions of the US are viewed by Saudi Ara- to deploy the proposed IMA troops on still manage to ink Chabahar port devel- bia as a challenge to Sunni supremacy. every battlefield. In such case, it will be opment project and undersea pipeline China’s ambitious One Belt, One Road necessary to prioritize the missions and project with Iran soon after the nuclear (OBOR) strategic outline and its increas- there will be differences of opinions on deal Iran hit with world powers, but Pa- ing engagement in Middle East make it a this issue. Saudi Arabia will clearly try to kistan, who is still the stooge of the US, strong contender to act as Saudi Arabia’s dominate the proceedings and the list of could not do the same? It means that next security guarantor. It’s not surprising priority with the help of its own financial full removal of economic sanctions can- that security cooperation between Saudi clout. How can any organization that ex- not be the real issue. Iran is now rapidly and China is increasing rapidly as Chinese cludes Shia Iran be considered as a truly participating in global financial main- arms sales to Saudi Arabia reached worth accommodative, all-encompassing Is- stream and the world is recognizing it. It around $700mn from 2008 to 2011. lamic organization? But Saudi has up till will be better for Pakistan to understand It can be observed that China and now kept Iran away from IMA. this trend as well, especially because it Sunni countries such as Saudi Arabia Pakistani defense analyst Lt. Gen. is facing acute financial crisis. The other and Pakistan are coming closer, where- (retd.) Amjad Shoaib has claimed that major issue that hinders the pipeline is as the US and Shia Iran are trying to sort Rahil Sharif has agreed to be the Com- the security concerns because of terror- out their differences. I strongly believe mander-in-chief on three conditions: 1. ists in Pakistan. that this process will not stop even un- Include Iran in alliance to give it an im- der Trump administration, as Trump and age of Muslim’s alliance instead of sec- uUS State Department Spokesman Putin are friends and as Trump is openly tarian alliance. 2. He will not work under Mark Toner has addressed Pakistan anti-China and anti-Saudi. anyone’s command. 3. He sought man- as the safe haven of terrorists, while date to work for the unity of the Mus- Islamabad has always remained as uRahil Sharif has accepted to command lim countries. It seems highly unlikely one of the main US allies in the region. Islamic Military Alliance just if Iran joins that Saudi Arabia will accept his any of Could we assume Toner’s words as a this alliance. It is too difficult for Saudi the three conditions. Either Rahil Sha- turn in US-Pakistan relations? Arabia to accept this condition. Will rif will have to accept the post without w Mark Toner called Pakistan as the ‘safe Riyadh accept this condition? any pre-condition or else Riyadh will find haven of terrorists’ on the background of Minister of Defense and Depu- some new guy as the head of IMA. Even the reports of disappearance of several ty-Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mo- if Saudi Arabia decides to include Iran in Pakistani bloggers and activists. From hammad Bin Salman Al Saud announced IMA, it’s up to Iran to finalize whether to last 30 years India is facing the wrath of the creation of Islamic Military Alliance accept the invitation or not. Under IMA, Pak-sponsored terrorism. Western world (IMA) on 15th December 2015. Paki- Sharing the responsibilities and manag- started to take it seriously only after stan’s former Army Chief Gen. (now ing the burden will generate new ten- 9/11. But their approach regarding ter- retd.) Rahil Sharif has been declared as sions in the region. There can’t be two rorists was selective in number of cases. Commander-in-chief of IMA. The IMA’s swords in one sheath. It is beyond doubt that Pakistan has be- stated objective is to fight against- ter come a ‘terror hub.’ Existence of various rorism. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are Kedar Keskar is Assistant Professor and terror groups such as Lashkar- e -Tyyaba, famous for their covert support to some S.P College affiliated to University of Jaish- e -Muhammad, Taliban, Al Qaida, of the notorious terror groups. On this Pune in India| Politics Page 21 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY ‘Great men of history never die’ By: Lachin Rezaian

Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani was an influential Iranian politician since the 1979 Islamic Revolution enjoying a white track record in foreign policy and improving Iran’s relations with the world.

Ayatollah Rasanjani passed away at the age of 82 on Sunday due to a heart attack in Tehran’s Tajrish hospital, a big blow to the Iranian nation and Revolu- tion’s followers. The death of Iran’s first-generation Revolutionary, known for his great role in founding the Islamic Revolution as a longtime companion of Imam Khomeini (PBUH) shed light on his previous meas- ures as a president, Parliament speaker, member of Council of Islamic Revolu- years of the Islamic struggle. of activities against Pahlavi regime. tion, Leader representative in Supreme Rafsanjani was born on 25 August Defense Council (SDC) in Iraq war, Dep- 1934 in the village of Bahreman near Post-Revolution roles uty Commander-in-Chief and president the Persian city of Rafsanjan in Kerman During his lifetime, Rafsanjani tried of the Assembly of Experts in different province. He studied theology in the making Iran a hub for international busi- stages of his life. city of Qom with Ayatollah Ruhollah ness activities by introducing various He was known for his great contribu- Khomeini (PBUH), whose close follower economic reforms. tions to the Islamic Revolution, improv- he became. ing Iranian economy, foreign policy and Rafsanjani survived two assassina- Iraq-imposed war era boken ties with the international com- tion attempts, one only months after Rafsanjani played a very impor- munity, especially the regional states, the revolution, when he was shot in the tant role during the eight years of the at different points, when he was Iranian stomach by gunmen who broke into his Iraq-imposed war, while serving as president (1989 to 1997), chair of the house claiming to hold a clandestine the acting commander-in-chief of the Assembly of Experts or the Expediency message. During the attack, his wife armed forces. Council. jumped in front to shield him from the When he was the Second-in-Com- He kept his high-profile role even af- attack. Neither were seriously wounded. mand of Iran’s Joint Chiefs of Staff in ter his presidency as a key consultor for After the incident, Ayatollah Khomeini the last year of Iran-Iraq war, he played the Leader and other officials in running said in announcing that Rafsanjani had an important role in ending war. Three the country and making important deci- survived, “great men of history do not years ago, speaking among reporters sions. die.” Hashemi said “I recommended Imam He was a close friend to the Leader The second attempt occurred in Feb- Khomeini to adopt United Nations Se- of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Khame- ruary 1994, when a lone gunman fired curity Council Resolution 598; without nei who he said in his emotional condo- at him as he was speaking to mark the signing the Resolution, Tabriz, Tehran lence message for Rafsanjani’s loss, that 15th anniversary of the Revolution. Un- and Isfahan were subject to chemical at- “with the passing of Hashemi, there is hurt and unshaken, Rafsanjani calmed a tacks with Franch and Russian aircrafts no other person I know of with whom I crowd of thousands and continued his leaving thousands of casualties. share the long and common experienc- speech. “After Iraq invaded Kuwait, some of es of the highs and lows of these historic the officials asked for supporting Sadd- times.” Pre-Revolution roles am Hussein; we did not support Sadd- “With the passing of Hashemi, there He was one of the opponents of am and even accepted Kuwaiti refugees; is no other person I know of with whome Shah’s regime and contributed a great the world trusted us and sanctions were I share the long and common experienc- deal of his youth to fighting against the broken,” he told reporters. es of the highs and lows of these historic Shah and representing Imam Khomeint, Following the deteriorations in -for times,” says Ayatollah Khamenei.Ayatol- during which he was arrested for 7 times eign relations during the war, Rafsanjani lah Khamenei called him an “old friend” from 1960 until 1979 and was in jail for made great contributions to rebiulding who was a helpful companion in the four years and 5 months in total, guilty ties with Europe, Arab states, and neig- » Politics Page 22 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY boring countries, especially the ones in in the Islamic Republic. sanjani. Central Asia and the Caucasus. The presence of Seyed Mohsen Nour- During Iraq-imposed war against Iran, bakhsh at the head of the Ministry of Saudi authorities pledged $25 billion of Presidency Economy, Bijan Namdar Zanganeh in the aid to the Iraqi government of Saddam One year after war, he was elected as Ministry of Energy, Nematzadeh in the Hussein, recognizing their worries that Iran’s fourth president in 1989. Ayatol- Ministry of Industry, Aghazadeh in the revolutionary Iran was a far greater lah Hashemi Rafsanjani despite the dev- Ministry of Petroleum, Kalantari in the threat to its survival and the stability astation of post-war adopted construc- Ministry of Agriculture, Mahlouji in the of the region. Saudi officials also en- tive decisions, including improvements Ministry of Mines, Nejad Hosseinian in couraged other Arab states, including in foreign ties, nuclear power, and eco- heavy industry and Vahhaji in Minsitrey Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar to follow the nomic reforms. of Commerce, gave an economic flavor same policy towards Iran. Foreign policy of the Islamic Republic to Rafsanjani’s first cabinet. The already strained relationship of Iran spent its most important phase His first term faced with a situation between the two countries further de- during the presidency of Akbar Hashemi of severe budget deficit close to 50%, teriorated when Saudi security forces Rafsanjani. On one hand, the Iraq-im- during which Rafsanjani could turn the clashed with Hajj pilgrims, among them posed war had been ended and on the budget crisis to the balanced status dur- Iranian demonstrators, on 31 July 1987 other hand the world was on the brink ing his eight-year tenure. On the other which led to the death of 400 pilgrims of profound change; the end of the Cold hand, the combination of budget and out of which two thirds had Iranian na- War and the beginning of a new era in government spending was changed in tionality. Following the incident, Saudi global politics where the era of ideolog- favor of plans and development costs, administration instituted a ban on all ical competition was finished, formed which launched major construction pro- Hajj rituals and in 1988 cut its diplomat- the two main themes of the fundamen- jects in the eight years of his presidency. ic relations with Iran. tals of practical change in the foreign The relations between Saudi Arabia Iran’s support for Kuwait during policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in and Iran gradually started to improve af- Iraq-Kuwait war in 1990, improved its post-war era. ter the end of the Iran-Iraq war in 1988. ties with Saudi Arabia. During the war, Rafsanjani underlined the detente In 1989, Iranian President Hashemi Raf- relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia in his foreign policy and due to the re- sanjani stated that Iran and Saudi Arabia were defrosted considerably and the of- quirements resulting from living in an were holding indirect talks to improve ficial ties were restored in 1991, during international interconnected system, re- their relations. which the Saudi authorities resumed is- alistic approaches gradually appeared in After domestic, regional and -inter suing Hajj visas to Iranian nationals. Iranian foreign policy. national developments in 1999, Tehran Iran’s logical position in Iraq-Kuwait He adopted an economy-first policy, and Riyadh went from divergence to the conflict was welcomed by Europeans. supporting a privatization policy against detente, coexistence and cooperation Some European foreign ministers paid more state-owned economic tendencies during the presidency of Hashemi Raf- visit to Iran to express their appreciation » Politics Page 23 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

world powers. Rafsanjani expressed his support for President Rouhani who attempted for resolution of Iran’s nuclear program that lifted most sanctions on Iran. As a political shield that defended the interests of the country on the interna- tional stage and contributed to its sta- bility in the region, Ayatollah Rafsanjani was also a supporter of Iran’s nuclear program. Iran’s nuclear program, unsolved for a long time leading to imporsing west- ern sanctions against the country, was settled through the helpful recommen- dations of Rafsanjani by a team headed by President Hassan Rouhani. They made every effort at the time of negotiations for the Iranian nuclear for Iran’s efforts for relaxation of ten- ways been that America must somehow program, which helped resolving it in sions in the region. make amends for the past and vindicate a peaceful manner. The result of these Due to the new conditions in the re- itself in the minds of the people of Iran,” efforts was the signing of the nuclear gion, the Europeans sought expansion he noted. agreement. of relations with Iran, as an important Ayatollah Hashemi believed US gov- In 2007, Rafsanjani reiterated that the country in the region. ernment must notice past mistakes and use of weapons of mass destruction was In December 1992, European Union adopt a fair and respectful policy in or- not part of the Islamic Republic culture. leaders in the Edinburgh statement de- der to compensate for its measures, He was one of the few key figures clared interest in dialogue with Iran and adding Iran’s ties with the US requires who insisted on the resolution of Iran’s called for negotiations between the two compensation for past and taking new nuclear program through peaceful talks sides, which was welcomed by the Is- steps towards relations with Iran based with the world, through which he sought lamic Republic. on mutual respect. to prove Iran would not use its nuclear During his tenure as a president, His role in developing Iran’s nuclear achievements in the military industries. Rafsanjani attempted to separate po- power is also highly regarded since he Signing the nuclear deal, known as litical issues from economic ones, re- oversaw key developments in Iran’s nu- JCPOA, paved the way for Iran’s return suming trade with the US regardless of clear program by negotiating deals with to the global arena, inducing investment the absence of diplomatic relationships Russia to build an energy-producing re- in oil and gas sectors and developing between Iran and the United States. actor in Bushehr, which finally went into talks for development of energy projects Hashemi Rafsanjani believed that Iran service in 2011 after long delays. that would hopefully solve economic could not trust the United States to re- problems in the country. Iran seized the sume political relations between the Post-presidency opportunities created in the post-sanc- two countries. After leaving office as a president, the tions era and developed its ties with the Although Rafsanjani was seen by cleric managed to remain within Iran’s world countries. Washington as a potential ice breaker, ruling theocracy through different roles. Rafsanjani always praised the Lead- his views were far from solidly pro-West- In 2005, he tried to return to presi- er’s support for nuclear talks, saying ern and displayed conflicted positions. dency, however his attempts faild after “Leader of the Islamic Revolution was In an interview with Al-monitir, Raf- the victory of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. the one who initiated activities for res- sanjani said the path before Iran and the The incident did not distanced him from olution of nuclear issue to ward off po- US is not as straightforward as that of presidential arena. During Ahmadine- tential dangers against the people and Iran and other Western countries. Be- jad’s 2009 re-election campaign, Rafsan- Revolution even before the new- gov cause from even before the Revolution jani became a vocal critic of his policies. ernment of President Hassan Rouhani up until now, there has always been He criticized the economic policies of assumed power.” the image in Iran that America is be- the government of Mahmoud Ahmad- After all efforts in the path ofde- hind every impediment and obstruction inejad, saying his policies would “jeop- velopment and improving Iran’s inter- against Iran. However, it seems that the ardize the Islamic Republic.” national image, Ayatollah Rafsanjani Americans want to somewhat distance Rafsanjani’s ideas were brought back passed away in peace on Sunday, leaving themselves from the past, and this is to life when Hassan Rouhani was elect- his legacy to the present and next gen- something that must be proven in action. ed president in 2013 and began a policy eration. “In my view, the bottom line has al- of engagement with the US and other May his soul rest in peace, Amen| Page 24 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Economy Economy Page 25 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Airbus regional director: Silence best strategy of Airbus on ambiguities of Iran Air deal Interview by Zohreh Alami, delivery ceremony for the first Aircraft is Hamid Reza Gholamzadeh now planned for 11 January 2017. More details to come in due course. Despite the need for compensation payment to Iran in case sanctions uWhich financial institutions and are reapplied, Airbus Middle East banks will finance the purchase deal? Regional Director Fouad Attar uses These financial details are customer silence as the best tactic in the face of confidential. present uncertainties in Airbus-Iran Air contract. uIran and Airbus have reportedly signed an MoU which allows Iran to With almost one year after imple- receive license from Airbus to develop mentation of the nuclear deal between some specific spare parts. Would you Iran and the 5+1 group of countries and and required warrantees for repayment elaborate more on this? promises made by Iranian officials that of installments not to mention arrival of In parallel of initial commitment restrictions on various economic- sec the first Airbus A321 all paved the way signed in January 2016 in Paris, we have tors have been removed, the first out of for an exclusive interview with Fouad At- also signed with Iran’s Minister of Roads one hundred Airbus aircraft is slated to tar, Managing Director of Airbus Middle and Urban Development, a comprehen- land in Iran tomorrow on Thursday Jan- East in a bid to shed light on certain de- sive co-operation agreement as part of uary 12. The airplane, which is of Airbus tails of the deal which, so far, have not the country’s modernization of its civil A321 type, will leave Hamburg Airport received media coverage. aviation sector, to support the develop- for Toulouse Blagnac Airport and will Fouad Attar, in his interview with ment of air navigation services (ATM), depart France tomorrow before arriving Mehr New Agency, stressed that his airport and aircraft operations, regula- at Tehran’s Mehrabad International Air- companies contract with Iran had be- tory harmonization, technical and aca- port at 14:30. come finalized. The official however left demic training, maintenance, repair and Piecemeal delivery of aircraft to Iran a number of questions unanswered us- industrial cooperation. begins as of tomorrow while the delay in ing a sparkling wittiness and on the ac- issuance of OFAC license casted doubts count that the provisions of the contract uWhat will be the mechanism for to achieving a final agreement between were ‘confidential’. One of the questions payment and other liabilities Iran has the two parties for several times.- Ac that remained unresolved pertained to to Airbus? cording to the preliminary schedule, venues for paying compensation to Iran Payment mechanism is the same as eight Airbus planes were to be delivered in case International sanctions against for all our customers, in full compliances to Iran in 2016 though the process was Iran were reapplied. with applicable laws & regulations in- postponed to 2017 and the first air- cluding with the JCPOA (Joint Compre- craft is arriving in Tehran only half-way uThe deal predicted delivery of 8 hensive Plan Of Action). through January 2017. passenger planes by the end of 2016; Nevertheless, Airbus enjoys better however, no such delivery became uWhat guarantees and measures have conditions than Boeing for sales of air- realized; apart from OFAC permissions, been considered to prevent any delay craft to Iran since a larger number of Air- what other problems would be at or lack of payments? bus airplanes have received necessary work? We do not discuss or comment on finances as well as that the French com- Now that OFAC licenses have been contractual details. pany has agreed to undertake financing granted to us and that we have signed a of 19 aircraft. firm contract with Iran air, consequently uWhat sort of additional services If truth be told, 42 out of 100 Airbus we will now start preparing for delivery. would Iran Air be eligible to provide in aircraft and only 5 out of Boeing- air We are looking forward to deliver Iran Airbus planes (for passenger welfare, planes have received financial resources Air’s first aircraft on 11 January 2017. for example)? and estimations reveal that the Airbus We are delighted that Iran air has de- contract will enjoys a smoother imple- uHow Iran would receive 100 cided to modernize and build its fleet mentation than that of Boeing. remaining planes by 2024; when would with Airbus products, the firm contract The significance of delivery methods Iran receive the first of the planes? of 100 aircraft spans from Airbus’ sin- for 100 Airbus products, financing issues We are pleased to announce that a gle-aisle A320 Family to the wide body » Economy Page 26 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

A330 Family and the A350 XWB. This uWould Iran-Airbus agreement be body A380 is missing from the list? will provide Iranian flag carrier with a called a binding deal or is it still a deal As Airbus we are proud to be offering modern, highly efficient fleet capable on paper? If it is still on paper, when a full family of aircraft per size category of meeting its full air transport needs would a binding final deal be expected? and generally overtime we see a strong – from regional routes to high-density, Yes, the deal with Iran Air is a bind- global trend for customers sizing up long-haul operations. ing deal, we have signed a firm contract their commitments. Airbus cabins are designed to offer for 100 aircraft and the first delivery is passengers and airlines the highest lev- planned for 11 January 2017. Fouad Attar joined Airbus Middle East els of comfort, services and efficiency. in 2006 as Deputy President - head All Airbus aircraft – from the single-aisle uIf sanctions snap back, Boeing will of commercial. He graduated from to the wide body family – are designed return back Iran the net amount of the Ecole Nationale Superieure de for today’s comfort standards, benefit- money plus the interests accrued. Is L’Aeronautique et de l’Espace (Sup’Aero) ing travelers and the airlines that carry there any such article in deals with as an aeronautical engineer and holds a them. Airbus as well? business and management degree from Airbus coordinates closely with regu- IAE Toulouse. Attar started his career uHow many planes would be lators in the EU, US and elsewhere to en- at Airbus in 1984 as a flight simulator delivered to Iran within the deadline sure understanding and full compliance engineer at the Airbus Training Centre in set by OFAC? with the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Toulouse. With over 25 years of aviation Our agreement with Iran air covers Plan of Action). We do not discuss or experience, Attar has considerable 46 A320 Family, 38 A330 Family and 16 comment on contractual details. aviation industry experience and has A350 XWB aircraft, first aircraft delivery contributed to the growth of the sector is planned for January 11th 2017. uWhy in the deal with Airbus, wide- in the region| Iran regaining OPEC’s market share

By Mina Ahmadi Iran’s exports of oil stood at 2.35 mil- Oil Ministry officials. lion bpd before the sanctions were im- In recent months, Iran has signed a posed against the country in 2011. number of upstream development deals The recent reports indicate that the One of the main reasons for the in- as part of its plans to increase oil and gas Islamic Republic of Iran has already crease in output has been a gradual exports to pre-sanctions level of four mbd. been able to escalate its oil exports increase in production from the South to levels that existed before sanctions Azadegan field, in the strategic West January oil exports rise were imposed on the country in 2011. Karun region, according to sources and Iran’s crude oil and condensate » Economy Economy Page 27 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY exports rose three percent Old customers back month-on-month in January Last month, the Interna- as it continued to regain mar- tional Group of P&I Clubs said ket share, widening its appeal it will soon provide nearly full among refiners around the coverage of reinsurance of globe in the process. around $7.8 billion per tank- Iran was the only Middle er for shipping Iranian oil, in Eastern producer to see ex- addition to resuming rein- ports rise in January, as others, surance coverage for the Na- like Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, tional Iranian Tanker Co.’s oil and the UAE, saw a fall in load- tankers. ings, in line with agreed OPEC- That can boost Iran’s al- led output cuts by crude pro- ready increasing oil exports ducers. Unlike its peers under as ongoing US sanctions had the landmark OPEC-led agree- ship-racking services also said the buy- created hurdles on the avail- ment, Iran has wiggle room to boost ers – China, India, South Korea and Ja- ability of ships to carry Iranian barrels. production to 3.8 mbd. pan- imported 1.89mn barrels per day. With it now easier for a wider pool of Iranian crude is similar in quality to According to data by International charterers and shipowners to transport barrels from other the Organization Energy Agency, in absolute terms, im- and trade Iranian oil, the past month of the Petroleum Exporting Countries ports slipped for a second consecutive saw some old buyers returning. In the (OPEC) countries in its region, meaning month, from a peak of just under 2mn next few days, two Iranian VLCCs — the this is an ideal time for it to broaden its bpd in October, which was the highest Huge and the Snow — will discharge a customer base, sources said. since at least 2010. mix of Iranian heavy and light crude Iran, along with Libya and Nigeria, is During the first full year since the grades in the Rotterdam refining hub for allowed to produce “at maximum levels sanctions were lifted, Iran has boosted the first time in five years. that make sense” as part of any output exports to its biggest Asian customers National Iranian Oil Company sold a limits in a surprise deal reached last by nearly 60 percent to 1.63mn bpd. cargo of Iranian Light crude to Indone- week by the OPEC. sia’s state-owned Pertamina for Febru- Post-sanctions recapture ary loading as a test sale, the first direct Export of petroleum products Europe represents Iran’s biggest crude sale between NIOC and Pertamina On February, Minister of Petroleum post-sanctions recapture of the lost for around 15 years, according to sourc- Bijan Zangeneh said that the export market, where the continent currently es close to the matter. of petroleum products is an approach receives more than 700,000 barrels per The Philippines’ PNOC has also re- adopted by the Iranian Ministry of Pe- day of Iranian crude oil. cently signaled it was seeking to resume troleum, adding Iran is currently meet- US-based oilfield services compa- crude oil imports from Iran. PNOC presi- ing most of its energy needs by natural ny Schlumberger signed last year an dent and CEO Pedro Aquino said recent- gas which would allow raising export of initial deal with an Iranian oil compa- ly his company and NIOC were in nego- petroleum products. ny for data-sharing. European ener- tiations for the long-term sale of four Zangeneh further announced that gy companies like Austria’s OMV and million barrels of Iranian crude oil per the Iranian Ministry of Petroleum is bent France’s Total also signed memoran- month to the Philippines. on raising export of petroleum products, dums of understanding of their own, The sanctions restricted the coun- adding gasoil and petrol will be the only Press TV wrote. try’s oil exports to around 1 million bpd main liquids consumed in Iran’s energy Trade data released by Japan’s Minis- among other economic bans – already mix by next year. try of Finance on Monday showed Iran’s described by analysts as the toughest Iran can currently refine 1.7 mb/d of crude oil imports cost Japan an average the world has ever seen. crude oil by its refineries. $43.87 a barrel for December, the third The sanctions were lifted in January According to Zangeneh, Iran’s crude cheapest after Ecuador and Columbia. 2016 after a deal that Iran reached with oil output is at 3.9 million barrels per According to Japan’s Trade Ministry, the P5+1 – the five permanent members day, adding the country is now pumping the country’s imports jumped more of the Security Council plus Germany – 3.9 million barrels of oil per day. than 40 percent from a year earlier to over the Iranian nuclear energy program 246,243 bpd last month. became effective. Asia crude export up China’s imports rose 30 percent to The JCPOA – the Joint Comprehen- New official data show top four Asian 689,530 bpd, meaning the country re- sive Plan of Action – which achieved buyers of Iran’s crude oil more than gained top spot among consumers after between Iran and the Sextet of world doubled their imports from the coun- buying less than India for three consec- powers envisaged the removal of a se- try in December compared with the utive months. ries of economic sanctions against Iran same month a year earlier, for the third India’s imports grew to 546,600 bpd, in return for steps by the country to re- straight month. while South Korea’s purchases rocketed strict certain aspects of its nuclear ener- The date from governments and to 410,387 bpd. gy activities| Economy Page 28 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Two sides of Tehran-Washington oil ties By: Mohammad Hossein Azari energy independence. He underlined that stability in crude In case the rise in global prices be- prices at higher levels could help develop On the eve of Donald Trump’s comes realized as a result of agreement the American oil industry and increase presidency, potential fluctuations in among OPEC and non-OPEC states dur- shale oil production; “accordingly, sell- oil prices reveal two sides to coin of ing Trump’s presidency, interests of all ing of eight million barrels of oil stored Tehran-Washington oil relations one producers will be supplied and, on the in American oil reserves marks a purely depicting support of higher crude prices contrary, if prices plunge, Americans will commercial policy.” by both countries. definitely seek to create a psychological Trump backs high crude prices shock in the oil market by imposing sanc- In response to a question whether ‘Energy Independence’ remains as tions against some of the world’s pro- Donald Trump’s policy of energy inde- the main oil policy pursued by America’s ducers and exporters like Iran and Russia pendence and the soar in shale output newly-elected president, a policy which in which case the other side of coin of aimed to reduce America’s oil depend- nowadays is also advocated by Russia, America’s filthy policies will be unveiled. ence, NIOC’s former governor at OPEC as the largest non-OPEC crude producer, Parallel with ongoing developments explained that crude oil consumption in along with Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Iran. and the verge of Trump taking the office, the US stood at an average of 18 to 19 Mathematically speaking, the name the US Congress has issued licenses to million barrels per day. of Donald Trump must be placed on the American oil companies to release eight “The average volume of oil production list of expensive oil advocates but the million barrels of trade oil stored in areas in America has been estimated to be low- question remains whether the congruity like Texas and Louisiana. er than 10 million barrels per day,” high- in oil policies of Tehran and Washington Iran’s former governor at OPEC, Seyed lighted the official stressing that Wash- should be deemed as a threat or an op- Mohammad Ali Khatibi relatedly said ington would not be able to fill the gap portunity. between supply and demand in the Despite the drastic fall in oil pric- short run. es over the past three years, when He further underlined that Amer- the market even experienced low- ica’s oil output would never go up by er-than-thirty-dollar levels per barrel mere slogans adding “American oil in prices, crude output rates not only firms need to make new investments did not decline, but rather they in- which in turn require stability in crude creased and production costs of Shale prices at higher levels.” and other unconventional oil types The analyst reiterated that at low- decreased dramatically. er prices, Americans would have no Currently, a great portion of Amer- inclination towards increased pro- ican Shale oil, which is known as a duction of oil, shale oil in particular, menace to the produced oil by OPEC that the Congress act was more of an saying “US’ Energy Information Adminis- members, is situated in five main regions economic than a political nature since tration has predicted that Washington’s including Macon, Eagle Ford, New Brara, America was after a boost in crude prices oil production in 2017 will rise by about Permian Delaware as well as Permian in the market. 110 thousand barrels per day.” Midland. The official, while stating that US had “With a 100-thousand increase, The noteworthy point is that the latest not joint the oil freeze deal by OPEC and Americans will never be able to reach estimations by credible international in- no-OPEC members though Americans energy independence in the short run,” stitutions indicate that production costs had no plans to maintain low oil prices, noted the official commenting that “US of shale oil in the US have fallen below 40 asserted “in order to obtain its goals in Republicans have traditionally pursued dollars per barrel on average as the fig- oil and energy sector, the US is in need of the policy of increasing oil prices and the ure for Macon stands at about 31 dollars. higher crude prices. figures have enjoyed higher levels when- In the past three years, the sharp de- Khatibi stressed that Washington had ever Republicans were in the office.” cline in crude prices not only did not add significantly decreased shale production Khatibi said American firms would favor to shale output costs in the US but also costs in the past three years adding that oil prices over 60 dollars a regards making led to a boost in performance efficiency the figure had dropped from the previ- new investments while lower price figures in various stages of drilling and comple- ous 60 or 80 dollars to the current 35 to would fall into disfavor with them. tion which in turn had brought about a 40 dollars per barrel. He went on to note that a boost in higher recovery factor. The oil market analyst recalled that activities of American companies- dur Deciphering Tehran-Washington ties falling crude prices would undoubtedly ing Trump’s presidency could lead to an Lower crude production costs in the come as a loss to Americans as well as uplift in the country’s energy demands; US marks a forewarning for Iran as well that US was in favor average to high pric- “the upsurge in demands will take place as other OPEC and non-OPEC producers es; “with the rise in oil prices to over $50, not only in the oil market but also in oth- and Americans will subsequently need America will be able to continue invest- er sectors like coal, natural gas and pe- higher oil prices given Trump’s policy of ment in shale reserves. troleum products,” he concluded| Economy Page 29 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

By: M. H. Azari, M. Zaman Khani

The uplift in America’s LNG exports has Iran in catbird seat thanks tightened restrictions against Qatar as the world’s largest exporter of the product thus giving Iran the upper to US-Qatar gas rivalry hand in gas recovery from South Pars joint field.

Nowadays, the US has taken up the leading role in the world’s oil and gas markets as evidenced by the fact that even a consensus between OPEC and non-OPEC countries has exerted the minimum effect on development of the industry in the US. Consequently, when limitations ahead of crude oil exports in the US were eliminated in Barak Obama’s gov- ernment, the few-dollar rise in oil prices which climbed to 50-55 dollars per bar- rel has offered a new opportunity to the American oil and gas industry for lifting its output capacities. to export 11 cargos only in December In order to conduct gas exports to Eu- At the present time, America’s oil 2016 to countries like China, Japan and rope, the US needs to pay costs of gas production has soared to nine million South Korea as Asia’s largest gas mar- liquefaction and sea transport which barrels per day (bpd) 40 per cent of kets. equal several cents per cubic meter. which is recovered and released from In the meantime, Americans take ad- Thus, Russian are in a better position unconventional resources. Estimations vantage of the rise in gas prices in Henry in the gas market since they can deploy reveal that, in view of Donald Trump’s Hub and Asian markets by transferring the product across Europe by merely us- pro-independence policies in the ener- the cheaper gas of the former market ing a few-hundred-kilometer pipeline. gy sector will bring about an increase to the more expensive market of North What’s more, existence of multiple in America’s production capacity for at East Asian and selling it. routes for gas exports to North, East and least four years of his presidency with Estimates show that by the end of Southeast Europe by Russians, has given unconventional resources high on agen- 2017, America’s LNG export capacity them the bargaining power over coun- da. will increase to about 14 million tons; tries like Ukraine, which is a barrier to The rise in US crude output will di- a capacity building which, both directly the transmission of Russian gas. Pres- rectly stimulate demand in the global and indirectly, will threaten gas markets ently, Russians enjoy the upper hand as market in a way that the slightest fluctu- of Qatar as the world’s largest exporter regards gas exports to Europe. ation in volume of America’s oil reserves of LNG. Reports by international credible in- will affect crude price. Meanwhile, countries like Malaysia, stitutions show that the volume of Rus- Australia and some African countries in- sian gas exports to Europe rose by 12.5 US-Qatar gas rivalry cluding Guinea and Mozambique need percent in 2016 and the country has In addition to crude oil, Americans to be considered as suppliers of LNG reached the record high figure of trans- have now turned into a full-fledged con- who are also likely to foster the compe- ferring 180 billion cubic meters of gas to tender in the field of natural gas produc- tition in the market. Europe. tion and exports among major countries Yet another noteworthy point is that exporting gas and LNG. Russia enjoying the upper hand in the share of Russian gas in Europe’s gas Whence, American projects for pro- European gas market supply basket increase by three percent duction and exports of LNG are being Despite the fact that position of to reach 34 per cent by the end of 2016. implemented and becoming operational Qatar as the world’s largest LNG sell- In addition, Europe’s gas imports in a succession and companies like Brit- er has been put at risk and the littoral soared last year as the figure for 2016 ain’s Royal-Dutch Shell and Korea Gas state south of the Persian Gulf has be- indicated a 6% upsurge as compared to Corporation (KOGAS) have inked 25-year come extremely generous by offering 2015 and hit 450 billion cubic meters. contracts with US firms for LNG purchas- discounts and significant advantages Meanwhile, a report by BP (British es. to consumers and customers in India, Petroleum) also shows that the market Cheniere’s Sabine Pass liquefaction China, Japan and South Korea, still, Rus- remains as a secure market with a high terminal in Louisiana, the first of its kind sians enjoy the leading role in the Euro- demand for exporters as well as that to ship US shale gas overseas, managed pean gas market. trading volume of gas through pipelines » Economy Page 30 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY will have become sevenfold by 2035. seven dollars and 20 cents per million joint field. BTU due to increased seasonal demand. In the current situation, although Plummeting gas prices in regional Iran, apart from shipments to Turkey, markets Grounds ready for Iran to lift gas output holds no serious project to export gas or Gas prices in transactions leading up Although increased production and LNG, the recovered gas from South Pars to January 23, 2017 followed a down- export of LNG in America marks bad holds extensive capabilities for use in in- ward trend in all markets excluding one news for the world’s producers and ex- dustries, power stations, CNG stations, and it seems that even strengthening porters of gas, the rise in US LNG exports storage in underground tanks, injection and stabilization of oil prices in the range remains as more of a golden opportuni- into oil reservoirs as well as petrochem- of 55 dollars a barrel has so far failed to ty than a threat. icals production. bring price stability to the gas market. More LNG supply in the market by On the other hand, the rise in share OPEC Affairs Department of the Irani- various countries especially America, of natural gas in Iran’s fuel and energy an Ministry of Petroleum, in a report, an- will create more restrictions for Qatar basket, will pave the path for exporting nounced that up to 23 January in North- as regards production and exports of surplus of petroleum products, especial- East Asia market, price of spot LNG gas gas in the form of LNG and given that ly diesel, fuel oil and liquefied gas to re- plummeted by 45 cents decreasing to demand has surpassed supply in LNG gional and global markets. 7.85 dollars per million British thermal market, Qatar will be inevitably forced In other words, although Iran is not a unit (BTU). to curb its gas output from South Pars large gas exporter, it can take advantage In the South-West Europe market field. of the halt in Qatar’s gas recovery from also spot LNG prices fell 25 cents to Presently, nearly 90% of Qatari gas South Pars in a bid to ship up to 600 stand at 8.25 dollars per million BTU. recovered from South Pars is supplied to thousand barrels per day of petroleum Also in America’s Henry Hub market, LNG units as feedstock and with the rise products in 2017. spot natural gas prices have dropped to in number of LNG suppliers in the mar- Iran’s gas production capacity at the range of three dollars and 14 cents ket, Qatar will be forced to impose re- South Pars currently stands at about 500 to 20 cents per million BTU. strictions on gas production for market- million cubic meters per day though the However, in the Britain’s NBP market, ing and sale purposes, a measure which figure is expected to hit 700 million cu- spot price of natural gas has risen by 87 will offer Iran the opportunity to recover bic meters once remaining phases of the cents and been traded in the range of and produce more gas from South Pars joint gas field come on stream| Iran makes leap to seize fresh export markets By: M.H. Azari, N. Ghadam Ahari a 25% growth in the first 11 months of was about 2.4 percent in 2014, climbed 2016 and climbed to 59.139 million dol- to about 3.9% in 2015 and reached 4 Iran is after bolstering trade ties with lars while the figure for the correspond- per cent in the first six months of 2016. European countries as evidenced by the ing period in the previous year stood at Inflation rate for 2015 stood at about steep rise in share of EU states in the 47.433 million dollars. 0.5% though it was reduced to around country’s foreign trade. A brief look at conditions of Czech 0.3 percent in the first half of 2016. In recent months, trade relations be- Republic reveals that the European Industrial production of Czech has tween Iran and European countries have state holds a population of about 10.6 risen by 8.1 percent as compared with expanded and majority of EU members million people with a Gross Domestic the previous year. In addition, manu- seek to gain a share in the Iranian mar- Product (GDP) of around 182 billion dol- facturing of motor vehicles, trailers and ket as well as to deepen commercial ties lars. Moreover, the GDP growth rate of semi-trailers increased by 16% and au- with Iranian businessmen. the European state reached 3.9 percent tomakers enjoyed a 2.9% share in the 8 Czech Republic, for instance, had in 2015. percent of growth in industrial produc- conducted negotiations with Iran’s eco- Presently, the national per capital in- tion. Manufacturing of machinery and nomic activists over the past three years come of Czech stands at 18,200 dollars equipment also increased by 15 per and intends to reinvigorate trade rela- on the basis of a purchasing power of cent. tions with Iranian traders. Efforts by offi- 27,600 dollars while the country’s in- As announced by the association of cials of the two countries brought about flation rate was 0.5 percent in 2015. A Czech exporters, the European coun- 52 million dollars of trade turnover be- total budget of 48.8 billion euros has try’s exports volume will soar by 4% tween the two sides in 2015 indicating a been allocated for Czech in 2017 while by the end of the current year with the 50% rise as compared to the earlier year. its government is facing a 2.2-billion-eu- most important export destinations be- What’s more, volume of trade turnover ro deficit. ing Germany, Slovakia, Britain, America, between Iran and Czech experienced GDP growth rate of Czech Republic France and Poland. » Economy Page 31 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

The association has pointed to Iran Tehran chamber of commerce industries 2014 and momentous agreements were and Cuba as new and interesting mar- Mines and agriculture (TCCIMA) Masoud made between entrepreneurs of the kets for Czech exporters and noted that Khansari who is accompanied by more two countries. Nevertheless, the visit further development of exports in the than 30 Iranian companies in the fields of Iran’s Economy Minister Ali Tayebnia current and following years will be sub- of machinery, equipment and mining in- to Czech marked a turning point in eco- ject to political issues in North Africa, dustry, heavy industry, pharmaceuticals, nomic relations of the two sides since the Middle East and Greece. medical devices, renewable energy, and the deal for elimination of extra tax was Top trade partners of Czech Republic environmental technologies. inked between the two sides and the in order of trade volume include Ger- The delegation, during a three-day draft of document to support mutual many, Slovakia, China, Poland, France, stay in the capital of Czech Republic, will foreign investment was prepared. Italy, England, Austria, the Netherlands, make visits to car, renewable energy, Also in January 2016, minister of in- Hungary, Russia, America, Spain, Bel- food and pharmaceutical factories. The dustry and trade of the Czech, along gium, Switzerland, South Korea, Roma- joint meeting of the Iranian and Czech with representatives of about 65 com- nia and Sweden. Also, major trade part- delegations will be also held within the panies, visited Tehran and Tabriz, where ners in the Middle East are Azerbaijan, three days with participation TCCIMA in addition to signing industrial cooper- UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Qatar, Georgia, members as well as officials of the Con- ation contracts, athe two sides reached Oman, Kuwait, Lebanon and Iran. Zion- federation of Czech Industry. fruitful agreements in areas of heavy in- ist regime also marks a trade partner of Previously, a 20-strong delegation of dustry and machinery. During the visit, Czech Republic. Czech’s Chamber of Commerce along agreements were signed between Irani- The volume of economic exchanged with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs an and Czech companies in the field of between Czech Republic and Iran’s Martin Tlapa visited Tehran in Septem- mining and mineral collaborations. neighbors in 2015 were three billion ber in 2014 when four agreements were Over the past three years, several and 180 million dollars with Turkey, signed between the two sides in Teh- measures have been taken to promote about one billion and 176 million dollars ran, Tabriz and Isfahan. Later that year, joint economic cooperation between with Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan about 685 another delegation travelled to Tehran Iran and Czech Republic one being for- million dollars, about 897 million dollars and two major contracts were inked be- mation of a trilateral chamber of com- with Emirates and Saudi Arabia about tween Tehran and Prague. merce among Czech, Iran and Slovakia. 620 million dollars. Also in April 2015, an economic dele- Yet another noteworthy measure was Eagerness of Iranian and Czech busi- gation comprising directors of 21 Czech holding of the first Joint Economic Com- nessmen formed the impetus for an firms visited Iran and held separate mission between the two countries in De- Iranian economic delegation to travel meetings with senior Iranian officials. cember, 2016 in Prague, a summit which to Prague at the invitation of Czech’s Na- Minister of Foreign Affairs of the covered various sectors of industry and tional Confederation of Industries. The Czech Republic Lubomír Zaorálek also mining, energy, finance and banking in delegation is headed by Chairman of led a huge delegation to Tehran later in addition to health and agriculture| Economy Page 32 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Iran’s steel market in ‘New Normal’ era

By: Mohammad Hossein Azari

Steel industry of Iran, en route to realizing 55 million tons of output by the year 2025, is faced with abundance of ups and downs which require careful planning.

Holding of the 7th Iran Steel Market Conference (ISMC) on February 14-15 in Tehran provided the impetus for review- industry high on its agenda as evidenced Goals and Achievements ing present opportunities and challeng- by the significance of steel market in Former Parliament Speaker Nategh es in the country’s steel industry as well the 6th NDP. Moreover, the target of Nouri opened his remarks at the con- as analyzing venues for reaching envis- realizing 8.8% of economic growth will ference by quoting Prophet Muhammad aged goals in the 6th five-year National undoubtedly increase the demand for (PBUH) who said ‘seek knowledge even Development Plan (NDP). steel product. if you have to go as far as china’ to em- The international event was attended As agreed by CEOs of giant steel phasize that gaining knowledge was in- by over a thousand domestic and foreign companies from various countries in cumbent upon every Muslim. He used activists in the steel market or related the conference, a lack of congruence the hadith to stress that obtaining do- industries. Key figures who made pres- exists between current steel output fig- mestic goals in steel sector would prove entations in the opening ceremony in- ures and the dormant capacity for pro- impossible unless multilateral coopera- cluded Minister of Industries, Mines and duction and exports of a wide range of tion is boosted with the world. Trade Mohammadreza Nematzadeh, products in the supply chain of the influ- Indeed, any progressive measure Deputy Minister and Chairman of Board ential material. In other words, although in the steel industry will lead to em- of Iranian Mines and Mining Industries the capacity existed for the steel sector ployment opportunities as well that Development and Renovation Organiza- to flourish, Iran’s main focus, at least un- annual steel consumption marks a ma- tion (IMIDRO) Mehdi Karbasian, Former til a few year ago, was mainly on direct jor index for developed countries. On Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Ali exports of raw materials extracted from that account, the Iranian government Akbar Nategh Nouri, Deputy Minister mines. is seeking to treble the country’s steel and Chairman of the Board of Islamic In his brief speech at the conference, output by increasing the figure from Republic of Iran Railways (abbreviated Industry Minister Nematzadeh recalled 16.1 million tons of 2015 to 55 million RAI) Saeid Mohammadzadeh as well as that when the incumbent government tons in the year 2015, a goal which is Managing Director of Iran Mercantile took office, the steel chain was incom- theoretically feasible in view of exist- Exchange (IME) Hamed Soltaninejad. plete and malfunctioning as the country, ing capacities though certain challeng- Also, Italy’s Danieli CEO Gianpietro despite enjoying unlimited resources, es need to be tackled for it to be fully Bendetti, Managing Director of Spain’s remained an importer of a wide varie- achieved. Sarralle Equipos Siderogicos Javier Es- ty of products in the supply chain. He Iran’s steel industry, with nearly five quiroz, CEO of Germany’s SMS Group further stressed that image of Iran as a decades of experience, these days takes Burkhard Dahmen, Russia’s INTECO sole importer of steel products was not the path of developing the sector based Chairman and CEO Harald Holzgruber as holding true anymore as the country has on geographical, natural and economic well as Market Analyst in Turkish Steel now climbed to the 16th position in the circumstances. Fortunately, serious ef- Exporters Association Cihan Akdeniz global ranking of major exporters by de- forts have been made to avoid non-pro- were foreign guests who presented lec- ploying 18 million tons of steel to world fessional and non-scientific decisions tures on the opening day of ISMC 2017. markets. The official, while putting the for progress. Recent measures have Steel industry plays a major role in audience on the guard that sanctions brought about noteworthy outcomes economic growth and sustainable de- have made things less predictable, in the field as the Iranian industry expe- velopment in most countries including voiced optimism that Iran’s 2025 pros- rienced 45% of growth in the first nine Iran. The Iranian government has there- pect of building the capacity for 55 mil- months of the current Iranian calendar fore put development of the influential lion tons of steel will become realized. year leading to January 2017. Moreover, » Economy Page 33 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY the first ever sponge iron plant of Iran Opportunities He further voiced his company’s ea- came on stream two months ago while Iran remains a big market in mineral gerness to make presence in various several exploration projects are still un- and energy sectors and the fact that it is sectors as it has a hand also in power derway. A three-million-ton plant has now placed among top 15 steel produc- houses, water and slag treatment plants been also constructed in Gol-e-Gohar to ers indicates that the country’s industry as well as zinc recovery factories, which turn Iran into an exporter of steel sheets is practically and competitively ready in turn indicates increased willingness to Europe. Several steel giants, including to achieve intended goals. All keynote of foreign investors for participating in Italy’s Danieli, Spain’s Sarralle Equipos speakers at ISMC 2017 unanimously Iran. Sarralle CEO also expressed read- Siderogicos, Germany’s SMS Group and agreed that, despite certain challenges, iness of Spanish banks to finance Irani- Russia’s INTECO, have been actively par- the Iranian market holds a prosperous an projects which can be deemed as a ticipating in the Iranian industry though future thanks to numerous opportuni- golden opportunity at a time when 30 they seek to bolster ties with Iran. As ties available at various levels. billion dollars of investment is required such, Danieli Persia plant has been For one thing, Iran possesses nomi- to complete steel chain from mining to constructed in a joint venture between nal capacity to manufacture 68 types of production. Iran and Italy and will begin production steel which can be recovered in a bid to Danieli MD Bendetti, for his part, in April 2017. The plant will mark the produce more value added, boost na- deemed low production costs as the biggest steel factory in the Middle East tional production and reduce reliance main advantage of the Iranian steel and will be operated only by Iranian en- on foreigners. market. He stressed that steel produc- gineers, as asserted by Danieli CEO Gi- Managing Director of Spain’s Sar- tion in Iran was 15% less expensive than anpietro Bendetti. ralle Equipos Siderogicos Javier Esquiroz the global figure and 25 per cent lower Despite the global recession in steel enumerated Iran’s strengths and its po- than the figure for the US. Moreover, as recession, Iran managed to achieve tentials for growth including diversified maintained by IMIDRO head, natural gas a growing trend in the year 2015. In a economy, highly scientific and educated is supplied to steel production plants broader view, the growth rate for Iran human resources and a huge consuming and lower gas prices will surly lead to has been 10% while the global figure has class. Other features were vast urban better steel industry. stood at only one per cent. Iran has also population, the strategic location of the CEO of Germany’s SMS Group Bur- obtained considerable achievements in country and the age-old entrepreneurial khard Dahmen pointed to the construc- the mine discovery tradition ongoing in the society. tive measured taken by IMIDRO who As announced by Mr. Nematzadeh, These factors all indicate the busi- has conducted several studies not only the country’s ‘Steel Comprehension ness environment is following a positive for expanding the mineral sector but Plan’, which comprises obligations to and upward trend in recent years. This also for better exploitation of steel in achieve the goal set in prospective doc- is attested by the words of Mr. Esquiroz automotive and petrochemical indus- ument of steel industry in 2025 horizon, who said “all facilities at South Kaveh tries. He also maintained that exports is being implemented while at the same Steel (SKS) Complex, as a subsidiary of of Iranian oil to Europe have drastical- time being modified to comply with Sarralle, have been manufactures in Iran ly improved market conditions. SMS world’s changing conditions. and by local producers.” Group, which has now spread out to 50 » Economy Page 34 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY locations in the world, has been present China from 2000 and ‘boom’,” he re- country’s development cannot be ig- in Iran since 1970 when it constructed minded adding “now we have ‘the new nored. Head of Iran Railways (RAI) Saeid the first major steel production centers normal.” He emphasized that a huge rise Mohammadzadeh pointed to serious here. The German company, while still was being observed in output while still challenged in rail sector and called for holding ties with Mobarakeh Steel Com- consumption was going down the hill lifting rail capacity in time with boosting pany, is seeking to conduct joint venture for various reasons like ageing and de- output. He said despite Leader’s em- with Iranian counterparts through long- crease of population, rise in popularity phasis on transferring goods from road term cooperation in various arenas line of electric vehicles, the growth in use to rail, we still observe low share of rail spare parts, services, maintenance and of plastics and carbon-fiber. Also, phys- in goods transport. “Disputes between repair. The project to expand Hormoz- ical strength of steel will become ever road and rail authorities need to be set- gan Steel Company (HOSCO) in Bandar stronger, and consequently tonnage tled,” highlighted the official empha- Abbas and Khayam Steel Complex in consumed will decrease. “So, to con- sizing the need to increase capacity of Neyshabur mark other instances of the clude, this trend of ‘the new normal’ is mineral carriages, reopening of disused German company’s presence in Iran. a big question mark and I believe that stations, raising financial resources as Yet another asset enjoyed by the the number of tons will decrease. Today well as electrification of railways. Iranian steel industry pertains to the we have overcapacity for steel produc- Moreover, foreign investors also seek developments made by Iran Mercantile tion of 30% and it is my opinion that investment security above anything else Exchange (IME). Managing Director of overcapacity will further increase.” “So before entering the Iranian market. Iran IME Hamed Soltaninejad, while under- we have a new normal that is worse not being a member of World Trade Or- scoring IME’s functionality in national than 1970-2000 for the reasons I have ganization (WTO) is yet another issue at economy, reported on addition of iron explained,” he added stressing that con- stake which was pointed to by the Turk- ore to world commodity exchanges say- structing new plants was not a logical ish market analyst Cihan Akdeniz. He ing “steel has experienced the greatest idea and expressed hope the mini-mill also found it surprising why additional growth in global exchange markets. and micro-mill concept will flourish import taxes, as an additional burden, The official further pointed to improve- again and offered more regional produc- existed in Iran since the country enjoys ments made in IME over 14 years of tion as a suitable solution to challenges several advantages like low energy costs activity including appearance of spot of the new normal era since transport- and can easily compete in global mar- contracts, commodity funds, Standard ing steel products over long distances, kets. Parallel Salam contract (SPS) and above from developed countries which have all futures and options contracts. Solta- a less demand to emerging economies Requirements ninejad proposed the idea of using CDR with higher demands, is not feasible any Therefore, in view of above-men- contracts in the steel industry and invit- longer. tioned opportunities and challenges, ed foreign producers to take part in IME To talk more specifically about the high-ranking participants of ISMC be- given its high capacity. Iranian steel market, old technology lieved that the time was ripe for bloom- used in plants remains as a major bar- ing of the Iranian steel industry though Challenges rier to reaching desirable output levels. the objective required raw material Almost all lecturers at ISMC 2017, Furthermore, in view of the current situ- producers and policy makers to world while acclaiming exceptional merits of ation of water stress condition and pro- hand in hand and take the most out of the Iranian steel industry, acknowledged longed droughts, considerable pressure post-sanction chances. As put by the that certain obstacles exited in the is places on the way of development of Iranian industry minister, recent year path of an ideal condition. Perhaps the steel industry since water supply is one developments are ‘just the beginning of toughest bottleneck faced by the global of the most fundamental infrastructures a long process.” market is the emergence of ‘New Nor- of the Iranian industry and requires Mohammadreza Nematzadeh called mal Era’ introduced by Mr. Benedetti, careful attention and planning. for more value added by discovering Managing Director of Danieli. In order Another barriers pertains to bureau- and exploiting underground mines in to explain the big picture faced by the cratic restrictions and frequent changes addition to ordinary ones. Deepening global steel industry and markets today, made to regulations which hinder activ- ties with international banks, strength- he sketched out a graph of global steel ities of steel exporters. Also, although, ening of downstream sector in steel in- consumption over time. The illustration Iran’s access to open waters can be a sig- dustry and production of stainless steel started with the growth in demand dur- nificant opportunity for development of were further steps urged by the official. ing reconstruction after the end of the steel industry, given the limited drought Other measures recommended by in- Second World War, saw the impact of in southern ports of Iran, vessels with dustry minister included lowering of en- the 1970s oil crisis, the fall of the Ber- over 150000 tons of capacity cannot ergy and utility consumption as well as lin Wall in 1989 and subsequent dis- berth there and the issue is likely to manufacturing of special steel directed mantling of the Soviet Union and then reduce competitiveness of Iran against to specific demands of customers. a plateau in consumption at the end of other countries who pursue goals of Mr. Nategh Nouri called for less re- the last millennium. “For ten years, we steel exports. liance on oil revenues on the grounds continued to consume 700 million tons What’s more, the role of transpor- that oil-based economy proves harmful per year (tpy) of steel.” Then we had tation in any industry as target of the in the long run. He therefore referred » Economy Page 35 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

to the need to attract domestic and for- mensions. ing or deployment of new technologies eign investors to other sectors including CEO of Germany’s SMS Group Bur- to reduce energy consumption, espe- steel industry. The former speaker of khard Dahmen underlined that any de- cially water, is the vital need of steep Iran’s Parliament said technology was velopment would require support of output in Iran. To this end, cooperation fast-moving and that meeting require- both private and public sectors. He also has been launched with Japanese com- ments of buyers, increasing quality, add- urged authorities to back the process of panies that have working experience ing variety and complying with latest bolstering banking relations with Euro- in DRI plants in Iran. One the project is standards were essential requirements pean monetary institutions. accomplished, ten million tons of steel for remaining in the global market. As for supplying the required amount production capacity in Iran will reduce Javier Esquiroz, for his part, sug- of water, considering current condition water consumption up to 40% which is a gested making huge domestic and -for of drought in the country, it would be vital consideration due to the country’s eign investment in a bid to improve hopeless or even impossible to use un- climate conditions. productivity. He also underscored the derground water anymore. Therefore, On the other hand, development of importance of gaining know-how and alternative solutions need to be con- any industry, steel in particular, will be improving management skills. Strength- sidered like using agriculture portion impossible without expansion of infra- ening financial systems and upgrading of water in industry, urban waste water structure. Over the past years, Iran has infrastructures were also advocated by treatment, reuse of industrial wastewa- made efforts to construct or develop Sarralle CEO. ter and seawater desalination for neigh- ports and elevate share of rail trans- In view of Italy’s Danieli CEO, proper bors and even transferring it to target port as evidenced by the Sangan-Khaf steps to be taken in the ‘new normal areas. Meanwhile, lack of attention to steel railway though further measures era’ include lifting quality, improving geographical location of construction of are required. Capacity of SEZs, including customer services while reducing operat- new plants in steel chain can cause irre- Persian Gulf Special Economic Zone, also ing expense (Opex). Gianpietro Bendet- versible damages. needs to rise by attractive investment. ti also noted the possibility to promote One more issue to consider while To recapitulate, transferring steel to plant utilization from the current 72% to building the capacity of 55 million tons southern coasts, use of new technolo- 95 per cent by taking the Italian firm’s is the transfer of new applications to gies and development of infrastructure technological packages which can boost southern coasts. This is due to the access are basic steps for reducing costs of pro- casting speed and bring about create to water and energy and price reduction duction, transportation and also man- smart plants with the ability to produce complies a geopolitical and economic ufacturing and supplying competitive steel at a wide variety of grades and di- logic. In addition, modification, upgrad- products like steel| Economy Page 36 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY New chapter in Iran-Russia trade ties By: Mohammad Hossein Azari posed sanctions against Moscow and it a joint effort by Tehran and Moscow to was when Russian traders voiced eager- bolster commercial relations as they are Recently, a 300-strong Russian trade ness for cooperation with Iran’s private experiencing an unparalleled period of delegation visited Iran and seminal sector though certain barriers, including time of their relations. commercial agreements were inked high tariffs and lack of familiarity with It could therefore be inferred that between Tehran and Moscow who have the Russian market, prevented elevation both sides, in addition to strengthening set out to reach unprecedented levels in of trade ties between the two parties. of ties to fight with non-regional powers bilateral turnover. With Rouhani having assumed the and certain regional states who have power, there has been a giant leap for- threatened stability in the region by The visit of the huge Russian delega- ward in bilateral trade and economic shaping and supporting terrorism, are tion to Iran, which came as a sequel to ties between Iran and Russia which cul- after reinvigoration of economic coop- Iranians’ visit to Moscow in February, is minated since then; both countries saw eration between one another. promising of stronger commercial rela- a low point of a little more than 1 billion Russia has on agenda to accelerate its tions between Tehran and Moscow. dollars in 2013. trade cooperation with Iran and to raise Iran and Russia enjoy age-old strate- Meanwhile, the volume of bilateral the trade volume to annual stagger- gic and irrevocable relations in the inter- trade between Tehran and Moscow is ing figure of 4 billion dollars. Experts in national and regional levels though their still standing at the very small figure of Moscow would see that prospect bright, collaboration has been more of a politi- 1.5 billion dollars, a figure which has re- since Iran provides low-cost transporta- cal nature than an economic one. mained constant due to trade and bank- tion which is at the same time diverse. In other words, Russia remains as ing barriers. In line with the recent efforts to bol- Iran’s most important political partner Iranian and Russian senior officials, ster bilateral relations, a Russian delega- though the two sides lack appropriate including President Hassan Rouhani and tion, comprising numerous people from trade and economic ties hence the- ef Vladimir Putin have repeatedly empha- 180 firms, arrived in Tehran to conduct forts in recent years aim to find venues sized the fact that expansion of ties be- face-to-face meetings with state and pri- for expansion of economic collabora- tween Tehran and Moscow plays an im- vate sectors of Iran. tions between the two parties. portant role in ensuring regional peace The presence of Russia’s biggest trade The need for closer economic ties and stability. delegation in Iran targeted to increase between the two countries was better Nevertheless, recent commutes be- the level of trade turnover between the felt after the European Union (EU) im- tween the two sides are indications of two countries to 10 billion dollars. » Economy Page 37 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

Vice Chairman of Iran-Russian Cham- mentation of Putin-Rouhani strategy to were formed between Iranian and Rus- ber of Commerce Ghadir Ghiafeh said boost bilateral trade. sian industry ministers over expansion the delegation was visiting Tehran in the The 13th joint commission, which was of the industrial roadmap between the form of a joint commission on econom- unprecedented in recent years by Iran and two parties. ic, cultural and scientific cooperation be- Russia, was headed by Iran’s Mahmoud Other deals were inked between tween Iran and Russia; “the commission Vaezi, Minister of Information Technol- Joint Business Councils and Chambers of aims to boost ties with a panel of private and ogy and Russia’s Minister of Energy Al- Commerce of Iran and Russia as well as state sectors while specialized committees exander Novak who arrived in Tehran one which aimed to finance Iran’s ther- will be in charge of investigating various sub- on Sunday along his entourage, among mal power plant projects. jects,” he had noted prior to the visit. whom were important entrepreneurs. Also on the sidelines of the 13th joint Russians had identified Iran’s capaci- Russian quota in the economic com- commission, Memoranda of Under- ties in different areas as regards meeting mission was 270 participants and a standing (MoUs) were sealed to finance their demands and the visiting board workgroup was in charge of addressing electrification projects in Garmsar- sought to find trade partners and launch issues in energy and telecommunica- Incheh Borun railway. cooperation on technology transfer. tions, new opportunities in sectors, and The final accord between Iran and A relevant conference was also held implementation of past agreements. Russia pertained to the MoU of the 13th at presence of 500 to 600 Iranian econom- Prior to the event, Iran’s Ambassador Joint Economic Commission between ic activists to discuss venues for reinvigor- to Moscow Mehdi Sanaei had already the two countries which were signed by ation of ties between the two sides. negotiated with Novak construction by Iran’s Vaezi and Russia’s Novak. The parties also touched upon issues Russian contractors of Bandar Abbas Yet, oil industry had the lion’s share like oil, gas, petrochemical and financ- thermal power plant worth €1.29bn, during the visit by Russians since joint ing of projects in addition to looking for along with other projects which includ- session also established the first ever solutions to banking issues as the main ed metrology, standardization, good joint energy commission to bolster ties obstacle to development of bilateral co- quality assessment, and other projects in the energy sector. operation. of private sector. Indeed, Iranian Oil Minister Bijan While calling for formation of broker Tehran session also sought to make ef- Zanganeh and Russian Energy Minister relations between banks of each other, ficient the legal and official frameworks Alexander Novak began their meeting Tehran and Moscow also touched upon of bilateral cooperation; on the sidelines behind closed door before the econom- non-oil exports by exchanging views be- of the event, a 1-day session of trades- ic mission officially got underway. tween Iranian and Russian authorities. men and heads of 200 companies was “Russia enjoys excellent capacities in held, where Russia participated with Oil contracts various economic sectors,” stressed vice 320 members, which turned the session During a follow-up press conference, chairman of Iran-Russia Chamber of Com- into the greatest ever such congregation Iran’s Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh re- merce saying that share of Iran in Russia’s of businessmen in the history of bilater- ported on signing research and develop- import volume stood at the negligible fig- al relations. ment MoUs with Russian firms like Lu- ure of 350 to 450 million dollars. All in all, the most considerable out- koil, Tatneft, Zarubezhneft and Gazprom He maintained the Iranian traders come of the joint session was signing of for expansion of seven Iranian oilfields lacked proper familiarity with the Rus- nine joint cooperation agreements in a including Mansouri, Ab Teimour, Aban, sian market urging state and private sec- wide variety of areas between Iran and West Paydar, Dehloran, Cheshmeh Kho- tors of both sides to spare no effort in Russia. shk and Chenguleh. introducing their potentials. The agreements were sealed by Iran’s The documents cover the coopera- Ghiafeh recalled that volume of trade Mahmoud Vaezi and the Russian Ener- tion in oil exploration and extraction, the turnover between Tehran and Russia gy Minister Alexander Novak as heads development of oil fields, petrochemical has become eightfold in the current of the 13th Joint Economic Commission production swaps, gas deliveries coop- year though the figure is still considered between the two countries. eration and cooperation in the sphere as insignificant. of oil facilities production technologies. The official further underscored that Insurance, banking and finance He also appreciated Russia’s con- currencies of both countries were af- Accordingly, two cooperation docu- structive role in the recent OPEC meet- fected by global market which made it ments were inked between Export In- ing saying “the accord between OPEC difficult to use local currencies instead surance Agency of Russia (EXIAR) and and non-OPEC producers holds greater of dollar for monetary transactions. Iran’s private sector. Additionally, anoth- significance than figures or numbers The recent visit also led to signing er MoU was signed between Institute of since it leads to a healthy and balanced Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) Standard and Industrial Research of Iran market, a fact which has been realized in numerous fields including commerce, (ISIRI) and Federal Agency for Technical by the market.” gas in addition to removal of exports Regulation and Metrology of Russia. Zanganeh voiced Iran’s readiness tariffs for 24 categories of commodities National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) to launch cooperation with Russian oil which will greatly assists Iranian traders. and Russia’s Gazprom also hit an accord firms adding “development of oil fields The Iran-Russia Economic Commis- aimed at bolstering cooperation in gas and boosting recovery factor remain as sion mainly addressed effective imple- industry. Moreover, three compacts main axes of negotiations with the Rus- » Economy Page 38 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY sian side.” proposals. gy Minister Alexander Novak outlined The official emphasized that Iran Moscow’s ambition to become a major sought to assign developmental projects Aviation industry investor in the Persian Gulf nation. for seven oilfields to Russian companies; Negotiations are also underway on Later on Tuesday December 20, while “so far, Memoranda of Understanding sales of Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100) speaking during one of many signing have been signed with several compa- aircraft to Iran. The plane enjoys a spe- ceremonies, Novak said his country’s nies on development of seven Iranian cial technology as it has been manufac- priority was to develop Iran’s big pro- oil fields.” tured in partnership with several Euro- jects; “these agreements will have a As regards banking cooperation, pean companies like Italy and France. significant influence on the relationship several commission meetings were Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company (SCAC) between our two countries,” he under- conducted during the Russians’ stay in had previously announced readiness to scored. which barriers were dealt with and fu- sell SSJ100 aircraft to Iran affirming “in It needs to be recalled that following ture plans were talked over and good case a sales contract is inked, the pos- the removal of international sanctions agreements were fortunately reached sibility for Iranians to enter the produc- against Iran in January, countless eco- as evidenced by two banking documents tion process will be investigated.” nomic delegations have visited Iran, which were inked. Nevertheless, Russia cannot be the which possesses a 400-billion-dollar Accordingly, foreign branches of final decision maker on sales of Sukhoi economy. Yet, several international firms banks will be established in both states Superjet 100 to Iran though Russian have abjured from inking final contracts in a bid to overcome one major issue media has announced earlier that Teh- with Tehran mainly due to the fact that faced by traders, which is absence of ran and Moscow have reached primary certain sanction-related barriers are still broker relations between Tehran and agreement in the course of SSJ10 talks. force giving rise to hesitation of eager for- Moscow in addition to the fact that eign parties who are also unsure about banks of each side had no branches in Agricultural cooperation outcomes of Iranian elections in May. the other country. Russia is one of the suitable and huge Russian investors however seem to Nevertheless, the issue of replace- markets for Iran’s agricultural products have an easier task for entering the Ira- ment of dollar with rial and ruble was though grounds for elevation of exports nian market than European rivals like also raised during bilateral negotiations of these products had not been pre- the UK, France or Germany since Rus- though the currency replacement initia- pared due to trade, economic reasons sian banks are less affected by persisting tive demands certain mechanisms and de- as well as structural weaknesses. US sanctions against Iran. spite the overall agreement, the process Other influential factors in this re- Iran has also nearly reached pre-sanc- will continue until it becomes finalized. gard, in addition to trade costs, includ- tion levels in crude oil production and On this topic, Novak said central ed economic and financial obstacles like exports following implementation of banks and monetary institutions of the banking issues as well as currency rate the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action two countries have paved the path in fluctuations. Along with trade and eco- (JCPOA). During a recent OPEC meeting, this regard and money transfer is being nomic variables, poor logistics, lack of which ended in the agreement to cap oil performed. institutions or structured and systematic output in a bid to bump up falling pric- Russian energy minister recalled that trade organizations have been among es, Iran was given the authorization to 10 major banks of Iran and Russia had other problems on the path to commer- go against the stream and increase its embarked on the project as well as that cial success in global markets, including output by 90,000 barrels per day to a a team was put in charge of tackling ex- Russia. maximum of 3.8 million barrels per day isting banking difficulties. Nevertheless, the opening of a new as of the beginning of 2017. Also, both parties agreed that tariff chapter in cooperation between the Therefore, Iran has been looking for obstacles in exports of goods to Russia two major regional countries seem to credible partners among internation- faced by Iranian businessmen will be gradually alleviate obstacles leading to al oil companies in order to develop abolished once free trade agreement increased collaboration between Tehran oilfields and shore up production. Al- between the Eurasian Economic Union and Moscow. though agreements have been signed and Iran becomes finalized. Presently, The issue is being followed up by with Royal Dutch Shell Plc. and Total SA export tariffs for 24 types of commodi- Iranian and Russian officials and busi- on development of several Iranian oil ties have been removed paving the path nessmen as they possess strong deter- and gas fields, Russia also, during the re- for exports to Russia. mination to surmount obstacles and it is cent visit, managed to secure a consid- Other trade-related agreements hoped that recent measures would trig- erable place in developmental projects between the two sides pertained to ger further economic activities. of the Iranian industry. launching of customs green corridor, Finally, all the preliminary deals facilitation of visa issuance, resolving Outlooks inked between Iran and Russia in ener- legal and banking issues, sealing MoUs To recapitulate, in its recent visit gy, trade, finance, industry, mining and on large-scale projects like to construc- to Iran, the Russian delegation signed agriculture fields could end up in final tion of Boushehr Power Plant and elec- nine agreements in industries ranging contracts worth 10 billion dollars, an trification of Iranian railways as well as from energy to railways. Upon arrival in aim which is being seriously pursued by allocation of a 2.5-billion-dollar credit to Tehran on December 18, Russia’s Ener- both sides| Page 39 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Culture Culture Page 40 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Iraqi theater scene wading steadfastly through hardships

By: Marjohn Sheikhi

The international section of the 35th edition of Fajr International Theater Festival opened with a two-man performance from Iraq on Saturday, January 21, in Tehran.

The first thing that comes to mind of many, upon hearing the name of this Arab country, is unfortunately a picture of war, conflict, struggle and of course immigration. Few would even wonder about the condition of art and culture in a country gripped with war and terror- ism since 2014. That is why I took this golden opportunity to get a firsthand experience of the theater scene in Iraq. ple’s inner struggles in the face of war, tually keep the people inside the coun- And the experience did not disappoint. their goals and aspirations and the ever try? We need to start to talk about it.” ‘Selfa’ was unfamiliar to me only on present sense of fear, sadness, happi- “Art, and specially theater, can create the literal level and not on the concept. ness and boredom while dealing with an awareness. ‘Selfa’ in Baghdad was a As it was explained to us prior to the them. big success. A lot of people came to see performance, I learned that selfa was a After the play, I caught up with the it. It was a healing, a kind of therapy for popular concept in Iraq (as well as here group’s production manager, Hella them. Because they saw on the stage in Iran), where a specific sum of money Mewis, for a short interview. It surprised something that they might have been is collected from a number of individ- me that she was from Germany and had thinking about but never got a chance uals and kept by one person who then been living in Baghdad for the last four to actually voice it out. The country distributes the collected money to one years. “My main focus is on promoting cannot move forward if all the people registered person for every specified pe- the young generation in Iraq,” she said leave. We need to start from the ground riod of time. It is a private mechanism with firm determination in her intelli- up to build the country. And we need to for giving loans to people who have in- gent eyes. “Because they are the future change our perspectives for doing so.” vested their money. The selection of the of the country. The young generation “Selfa means we all have the respon- person who will receive the whole sum still has a lot of power and potential. sibility to bring the country forward. And at the time is done by making a draw. In They want to be more active, not just on that can only be achieved if we choose this case, selfa functions similarly to lot- the art scene but in every other sphere to stay and try to make changes. Not to tery, but it is still a loan as you will have in Iraq. They all possess a lot of power to leave,” she said. to pay the whole money back over time change things for the better.” I was amazed and moved by her ab- in several installments. “Immigration is the main concern of solute faith in the people and the force For this play, performers ‘Ameer Abo the play,” she said while talking about behind her words and eyes that drove Alheel’ and ‘Ahmed Sadoon’ played selfa ‘Selfa’. “A wave of migration swept her to be a part of this community and with the audience. Each of us were giv- across war-stricken countries like Iraq in dedicate her time and efforts to make en a numbered ticket randomly with a the last two years; people who wished this dream a reality. “So what moved subject and expression written on the to change their lives for the better, who you toward this mission?,” I ask her. back of it. I got number 77, subject: wanted to have a normal life away from She placed her hand on her chest, “my goal, expression: bored. Other subjects war and terror. But when Europe opened heart.” included war and immigration, and ex- its doors to refugees, a lot of our friends “When I first came to Baghdad, it was pressions included fear, happiness and left Iraq through the illegal way and we in 2010,” she continues. “As soon as I sadness. The performers would call out lost many at the sea.” put my foot on the ground I knew I was a number and play a particular scene “Ameer and Ahmed were thinking home. Baghdad feels like home to me. based on the subject and expression that they have to talk about this. Not all And in some ways, it is similar to Tehran, given to them. It was an interactive play the young generation, not everybody in all the beautiful architecture and very that raised a very important issue: peo- Iraq, wants to leave. But how can we ac- nice people. In Baghdad you can see and » Culture Page 41 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

with the Iranian audience. But how will the European audience take into ‘Selfa’? “Well, they are now more familiar with the situation in Iraq as they are dealing with a lot of refugees at home and also listen to a lot of media coverage. How- ever, if we perform it in another coun- try, it’s necessary that the whole text be translated and we need to make a 15, 20-minute introduction in advance of the performance to give more back- ground information on the play so that people will understand it better.” I applauded her and the crew for bringing a piece of reality of life in Iraq to the people who are constantly fed with false and propagandist media coverage. She expressed sincere love for what she was doing as the patron of the arts in a country where war and terrorism have breathe the history.” become an actress or a director. We do taken a lot from the people. “Even if it Hella described the current status of have some ladies who try to make it into brings no money at all,” she said with a the theater scene in Baghdad as “very the theater scene but the perception smile. “This is all about humanity.” difficult”. “Since 2014 when ISIL took from the society puts a damper on their The 35th edition of Fajr International Mosul, there is no money left for culture aspirations. You need a lot of power and Theater Festival will run from 20-31 Jan- at all. Everything goes into the war. And determination to continue on this path. uary, 2017, in Tehran. not just the cultural scene; every sphere Then one day, you marry and the family Tarkib Baghdad Contemporary Arts in the country has cut a lot of money, so or your husband has something against Institute was founded in 2015 on the it’s really difficult for the theater scene you working. So it’s very difficult for wom- initiative of emerging artists from the to thrive.” en in Iraq to choose this style of living. It’s Iraqi art and creative scene. Its - mem “But there are still some people, not comparable at all with, let’s say, Ger- bers come from different fields including like this group, who do not wait for any many where they have it easy. In Iraq, you visual art, performing art, interior de- kind of support,” she looked back at the have to fight a lot. And the traveling also sign, photography, film, music, literature performers with pride. “They simply becomes an issue for women.” and journalism. Tarkib’s focus is direct- want to do something, and this is why So, have you staged ‘Selfa’ anywhere ed at empowering the youth, especially I love these guys. They just want to do else in the world? “No, actually Iran was women and too artworks that form a it, and sometimes if you really want to the first. It’s a relatively new play but link between art and everyday life. The do something from the bottom of your we hope that we can perform it in other institute initiated and organizes the an- heart, it could become a performance countries as well. We’ll try to bring it to nual Takrib Baghdad Contemporary Arts much bigger than a theater play with a Germany and France next.” Festival in charge of presenting the most lot of funding.” The play was a hit back in Iraq and the important independent Iraqi theater So why theater, despite all these diffi- concept of immigration is all too familiar productions by emerging artists| culties? “I believe that theater can cre- ate much more awareness than any oth- er art medium such a painting or even the cinema. Theater brings you close to the people; it’s more interactive. And this is very important, especially in Iraq. Artists need to be directly involved with the community. You cannot put an Iraqi alone. It’s impossible. That’s why theat- er is very important for Iraq, not just for the art scene but for the ordinary peo- ple to understand a concept.” Excluding her, the whole touring crew for ‘Selfa’ were male. I asked her if there are any woman actresses on theater stages in Iraq. “Well, in countries such as Iraq or Syria, it’s still difficult for ladies to Culture Page 42 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Japanese dance group ‘Siro-A’ lights up Iranian stage at 35th FITF By: Marjohn Sheikhi

The video projection dance group ‘Siro-A’ from Japan turned the theater stage in Tehran into a magical disco venue of optical illusions and techno music at the 35th Fajr International Theater Festival.

Just drop the name ‘Japan’ and I am all in. We grew up with a lot of Japanese anime on TV (Iranians have fond, nostal- gic memories of the anime rendition of My Daddy Long Legs, Captain Tsubasa, Little Women and so many more) and played a lot of Nintendo games which were all in Japanese but never allowed the language obstacle to stop us from enjoying ourselves. Nowadays, few may still associate Japan with kimonos, cher- and the ‘credits’ started to roll. The au- stacles. Everyone knows body language, ry blossom trees or sushi when there dience were all charmed by the creativ- dancing moves, and music. is this tsunami of anime productions ity of the artists’ minds as they watched The performance included a lot of and video games flooding the world. To the taken photos projected on the blank references to Japanese pop culture, me, Japan is the successful integration screen on the stage to the energetic tech- some of which familiar to the Iranian of technology with social life, and the no beats in a variety of interesting ways. audience: the Super Mario game (which performance that I got the opportunity But first, let me go back to the be- drew peels of delightful laughter from to watch on the fourth day of the 35th ginning. the audience), rhythmic tapping games Fajr International Theater Festival was a “Siro-A is a fusion of video projec- (where you hit buttons on the game in perfect testament to that: Japan knows tion, dance and comedy. It’s a mixed sync with a song; I’ve played Taiwanese what it’s doing with technology. entertainment show,” the 39-year-old titles ‘Deemo’ and ‘Voez’ on iPhone but ‘Siro-A’, as the name itself suggests, director, Cocoona, told me soon after Japan has these cool arcade games like defies precise definitions and specific the show ended. ‘MaiMai’ and ‘Jubeat’ that you should categories. ‘Siro’ is derived from Japa- I was so blown away by the sheer enor- totally check out when you visit the nese word shiroi which means ‘white, mity of the artists’ imagination and tech- country), Sega Genesis fighting games (I colorless’, and the added ‘A’ stands for nique that I had to let Mr. Cocoona know, grew up playing lots of ‘Mortal Kombat’ ‘anonymous’ which stresses the troupe’s which resulted in our talks sounding more with my brother), Snake game, and even aspiration to be unique, belonging to no like me ‘fangirling’ over the show than that (in)famous earworm ‘Pen-Pine- group and impossible to define. conducting an actual interview. apple-Apple-Pen’ created by Japanese The seven-member Japanese enter- “Oh, the Iranian audience showed entertainer Kazuhiko Kosaka that went tainment performance group, hailing much more enthusiasm and excitement viral a few months ago. from Sendai, Tokyo, gave the Iranian for the show than I had imagined,” he “I was actually pretty anxious about audience something truly magical to said in obvious delight. “They made a including this part in our performance remember for a long while. As people lot of noise in exhilaration and just went because I wasn’t sure if the Iranian audi- began pouring into the Main Hall of along with anything that we asked them ence were familiar with it,” he admitted, Tehran’s City Theater – the largest per- to. The European audience, in contrast, and I could go with an educated guess forming arts complex in the capital – the were perhaps too polite and quite. But that many of them present in the theat- visual dance artists asked for volunteers the reception here was really powerful.” er hall had no idea why a pen, an ap- to come up on the stage and pose for Just as well. The fusion of astonishing ple and a pineapple were so important pictures in a number of specific posi- visual and lighting effects, duplication, to be granted a part in the show. Most tions. We didn’t learn the purpose of rainbow colors, and techno soundtracks probably had come to this show with the fun photo shoot until much later, lend Siro-A an international appeal, this notion in mind that they were go- when the performance came to an end completely unhindered by language ob- ing to watch a good old play with a solid » Culture Page 43 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY plot and relatable characters (unfortu- using smartphones, the internet, Artifi- mance, the juries of the Fajr Theater nately, adequate advertising and prior cial Intelligence, and so on. But it is the Festival may have set their eyes on a information on the shows have always human power, say, the thinking power, more traditional style of play than this been lacking in Fajr Theater Festival). creative power, physical power, that we flawless interweaving of technology and But we Iranians definitely know how to want to show to the audience. And we human body movement. Mr. Cocoo- have a good time, and even if we don’t believe that technology can help us ex- na voiced keen interest in returning to know what is exactly going on, we just pand on our human abilities.” Iran next year. I am keeping my fingers go along with it for the fun. Siro-A dance artists have brought their crossed for that to happen. I, for one, had some prior under- dazzling performance to as many as 20 standing of what kind of performance countries such as Germany, Australia, SIRO-A is a seven member Japanese ‘Siro-A’ was going to be. I had been Norway, UK, several other European coun- entertainment performance group from here last year for another Japanese tries, China, and other Asian countries. Sendai, Japan. The group was formed play at Fajr Theater Festival: ‘Shadow They even performed in the US, where in 2002, and has performed at various Game’ by Dazzle Company which en- the group appeared at the top-rated com- huge venues such as Venezia Young joyed its first international exposure petition series ‘America’s Got Talent’ back Art Performance in 2004, Expo 2010 to an enthusiastic reception from the in 2015. The Japanese group wooed and Shanghai China, 2011 Edinburgh Fringe Iranian audience. ‘Shadow Game’ was awed and thrilled judges on the American Festival, followed by their first European no traditional play, it was all hip hop show, they even got Piers Morgan’s gold- tour in Germany, Denmark, Austria, and and street dance, electronic music, en buzzer and made it all the way to the France in 2012. role-playing video game and a charm- semi-finals with their indisputable -inter ing, anime-like story. Seeing the similar- national appeal. The 35th edition of Fajr International ities between these two brilliant Japa- While the Iranian audience were Theater Festival ran from 20-31 January, nese performances, I wondered if this totally taken with the magical perfor- 2017, in Tehran| style of infusing dance and music on a theater stage was prevailing in Japan. “Well, not really. This style is not that common in Japan, although using tech- nology in the theater scene is getting more popular there,” Artist Manager Yoshiko Maeda said. She was also kind enough to help with the Japanese trans- lation of our talks whenever it was need- ed. “We have some groups in Japan that use technologies in their performance, but each group has a different, unique way of making use of technology. Daz- zle, for instance, uses technology to deliver the drama, but we at Siro-A use technology to deliver on imagination and create visuals and optical illusions.” Technology has always had a darker side, as depicted in terrifying brilliance in the British science fiction television series ‘Black Mirror’. Siro-A director, while admitting to the excessive de- pendence of humanity on technology, believed that technology could be used in our favor and not against us. And what they created through the wizardry of video projection definitely seemed to be on the positive side of technology. “The main concept of our perfor- mance is human and technology,” Co- coona explained. “We want to convey the enormity of human power to the au- dience via technology. Technology has advanced so much in the last few years and people depend too much upon it by Culture Page 44 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Flamenco giant ‘Duquende’ gets terrific applause at Fajr Music Fest. By: Lachin Rezaian

Festival hosted a Spanish Flamenco group starring Duquende, one of the most valued Flamenco singers, Diego Del Morao, one of the guitarists on the national scene of the moment and Israel Suarez, known as El Piraña, one of the best percussionists in the world.

The group displayed a great perfor- mance warmly welcomed and terrificly applauded by the audience. Some of the audience cheered in Spanish that impressed the group and they extended their gratitude continu- ously after each piece they performed. Flamenco is a folk art and culture from Spain. It is particular to the prov- ince of Andalusia in Spain. Historically, it has always been the musical outlet of the poor and the oppressed. It passed music at such a young age. important experiences in their profes- on by oral tradition, which the individ- The other member of the group, sional life. ual artist uses as the basis for his own Diego Del Morao, is one of the most Vahdat Hall was full of audience cries variations. prominent guitarists on today’s flamen- of praise; the group received such a Flamenco combines singing with co scene. Son of the legendary guitarist warm reception that after the end of the dance and the guitar simultaneously - as Moraíto, who along with family patri- program, cries of “Otra” brought them well as rhythmic punctuation (by hand- arch Manuel Morao, developed the sig- to the stage again and they performed claps and other methods) that is consid- nature sound of traditional Jerez-style another piece with further enthusiasm. ered an art form. flamenco guitar, Del Morao took that Duquende described his experience During his performance, Duquende family legacy into the 21st century. in Iran very advantageous, saying my involved hand clapping as the spice of He excellently played at Fajr Festival, presence in Iran completely changed my his songs and the rhythmic sound be- delighting the audience with his aston- opinions about the people of Iran. stowed interesting sense to his perfor- ishing performance. He used push-pegs He said he like Iranian music because mance. He was singing in a certain style, for tuning his flamenco guitar which of the similarities between the music of loud, impressive, countertenor and bar- gave a new spice to each of his tracks. the two countries. itone, using a lot of energy to be special Iranian audience could not stop clap- The group displayed a great perfor- enough for the audience. ping for him after his dramatic perfor- mance warmly welcomed and terrifical- Since 1992, Duquende has started mance, making him so impressed that ly applauded by the audience. a brilliant career which has led him to he told people in gibberish English that At the end of the program, Duquende perform in major Spanish theaters and he is very happy to visit the country that answered the questions of Mehr News auditoriums, as well as in stages around loves Spanish music. correspondent on his experiences in the world. And the third member, Israel Suarez, Iran and opinions about Iranian people Spanish flamenco singer, considered known as El Piraña, is one of the most and music: one of the all-time greatest flamen- in-demand flamenco percussionists and co singers, Camarón de la Isla, invited drummers in the world. His performance uYou have never performed jointly Duquende when he was only 8, to debut was surprising for the Iranian audience, with Diego del Mareo. Why did you on stage accompanying himself on the using a cajón, a box-shaped percussion decide to have joint performance at guitar. His performance had such an im- instrument, known as flamenco box. Fajr International Music Festival? pact that he was continuously invited by The performance of the Spanish Well, we like the work of each other, the promoters and record companies, group in Iran, like the Gypsies who de- we have decided to perform togeth- but his parents opposed the idea that lighted Iranian people some months er and I think it was effective. Our first he dedicates himself professionally to ago, undoubtedly is one of the most time cooperation is at an Iranian event » Culture Page 45 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY and we are happy for that. uThe Iranian people have a Fado star Zambujo keen interest in Spanish music. Every time Spanish singers or displays pronounced show at musicians had performances in Iran, the halls were filled and all tickets are sold out. In your Fajr Music Fest. opinion, what are the similarities By: Lachin Rezaian between Iranian and Spanish music? Antonio Zambujo, an Iranian people’s interest in internationally acclaimed Spanish music is laudable. I think Portuguese guitarist and this is because Flamenco roots singer of fado with his from here. Flamenco is a music quintet gave an appreciable style has an Arabic roots, which performance at the 32nd is similar between Iranian and Fajr International Music Spanish music. Festival at Vahdat Hall on Wednesday. uDo you listen to Persian music? Yes, sometimes I listen. I think Fado a music genre that Iranian music has a lot of similar- can be traced back to the ities with Spanish one, and I feel 1820s in Portugal. Although Iranian music is much like ours. I the origins are difficult to like Iranian traditional music and trace, today fado is common- think like it is like flamenco music. ly regarded as simply a form Melodies and rhythms of Iranian of song which can be about and Spanish songs are very simi- anything, but must follow a lar. certain traditional structure. In popular belief, fado is a night, Zambujo thanked the audience uHow was your experience in form of music characterized by mournful who cheered him in Persian language Iran and what do you think about tunes and lyrics, often about the sea or who was taught to say: “I am very glad to Iranian people? the life of the poor, and infused with a be in Iran and to perform in front of peo- I had an interesting experi- sentiment of resignation, fatefulness and ple who love music so much,” and “Thank ence in Iran. It was because of melancholia. you for coming here to see my group’s the warmth of the Iranian people. In his biography on Facebook ac- performance.” Before my trip to Iran, I always count, António Zambujo wrote he was His solo, duet and collective perfor- thought they are cold and unfeel- raised listening to Cante Alentejano, a mance encouraged audiences, among ing, but now I believe they are regional genre that inspired him while them citizens of Portugal residing in Iran. warm-hearted, friendly, hospita- growing up in Beja, Portugal. At the age His display was undoubtedly one of the ble and very kind to the foreign- of eight, he studied clarinet at the Baixo best international performances at the ers. They love flamenco and this Alentejo Regional Conservatory. At that festival. was a good experience for me. time, Zambujo became fascinated with Antonio Zambujo’s group played fado. He was shaped by Amália Rodri- guitar, trumpet, saxophone, mando- Juan Rafael Cortés Santiago, gues, Maria Teresa de Noronha, Alfre- lin, bass and drums. The drums were known as Duquende is a famous do Marceneiro, João Ferreira Rosa, Max a bit different tonight, using special Spanish flamenco singer. Born and others. He regularly sang for his Portuguese drama frames and creat- in Sabadell, Spain, Duquende family and friends and won a local fado ing a soft and quite atmosphere at is considered a successor to contest at the age of 16. the Hall. influential Flamenco singer He became increasingly well known, Zambujo’s discography includes O Camarón de la Isla. Since 1997, not only in Portugal, but mainly beyond mesmo Fado (2002), Por meu Cante Duquende has been a member borders, especially after the release (World Village, 2004), Outro Sentido of the Paco de Lucía Sextet in of his third album, “Outro Sentido” in (World Village, 2007), Guia (World Vil- addition to working as a solo 2007. Zambujo has won the Amália lage, 2010), Quinto (World Village, 2012), artist. In 1996, Duquende was Rodrigues Foundation prize as best Lisboa 22:38 – Ao Vivo no Coliseu (Uni- the first cantaor to be invited to male fado singer. versal Music, 2013), Rua Da Emenda perform at the Champs Elysées At the beginning and end of his per- (2014) and Até Pensei Que Fosse Minha theatre in Paris| formance at Vahdat Hall on Wednesday (Universal Music, 2016)| Culture Page 46 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

Vahdat Hall a reverent, solemn air. De- spite long, standing ovation, the perfor- mance was not followed by a bis, perhaps because the Italian ensemble needed to fly back to their country that night. The composition of the musicians was so that each Italian musician was seated next to an Iranian in a symbolic move to stress on unity and commonality. “The Italian musicians all spoke in praise of the Iranian musicians and ad- mitted that they had not expected to witness such quality work from Tehran Symphony Orchestra,” Rohani had said in an interview prior to the concert. “In the short period of time that I was in Iran, I felt that Persian music has influ- enced European music,” maestro Paolo Olmi said. “The kind of music that I heard at the restaurants in Iran sounded a lot Iran, Italy join hands in like Italian pop music. The similarities are all there and this shows how different cultures can influence and be influenced reviving Beethoven on stage by one another.” Olmi went on to add, “I have had a By: Marjohn Sheikhi Rohani conducted the first three piec- es including “William Tell” by Gioachino good experience with Iranian musicians The 7th night of 32nd Fajr Music Festival Rossini, his own composition “Persian of Tehran Symphony Orchestra. They are was devoted to joint performance of Garden”, and “The Capriccio Italien” by young, energetic and professional. I am Tehran Symphony Orchestra and the Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. After a short in- actually looking forward to having Tehran Puccini Festival Orchestra from Italy, termission, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 Symphony Orchestra in Italy and intro- under the baton of maestros Shahrdad was conducted flawlessly by Paolo Olmi. duce them to our people.” Rohani and Paolo Olmi. The performance of “Persian Garden” The 32nd Fajr International Music Fes- had a special added beauty as Rohani tival, Iran’s most reputable music event, The Puccini Festival Orchestra, one of invited Iranian violoncello solo perform- was held from January 11-20, 2017 in the most prestigious orchestras of Italy, er Nasim Saad to bestow upon the ever various avenues in capital Tehran. The in- came to Iran with conductor Paolo Olmi hungry ears of the audience the soulful, ternational section introduced to the Ira- and 40 musicians to dazzle the audience plaintive notes of the wavering strings. nian audience music from Azerbaijan Re- gathered at Vahdat Hall on Thursday The piece ended with Rohani’s remark public, India, Lebanon, Spain, Portugal, night with a breathtaking performance on the stage, “this cultural exchange be- France, Italy and Japan. Winners of this together with an Iranian ensemble from tween Italian musicians and Tehran Sym- edition of the festival will be announced Tehran Symphony Orchestra under the phony Orchestra shows just how much on Sunday. baton of acclaimed Iranian maestro these two nations have in common.” Shahrdad Rohani. He went on to add, “all human beings Paolo Olmi began his career in 1979 All tickets to this highly-anticipated have something in common. Just imagine as conductor of the Teatro Comunale performance were sold out within the how more beautiful this world could be di Bologna. He has directed operas first hour and the beautiful 750-seat- if we focused on our similarities instead of and concerts all over the world (Tokyo, ed hall of Vahdat became enameled for differences. We are all the same and it does Berlin, Paris, Chicago, Madrid, Lisbon, the next two hours with the powerful, not matter where we have come from.” Venice, Rome, Milan, Barcelona, soul-moving and heartfelt notes of violins, Rohani then revealed another sur- Beijing, Shanghai). He has conducted cellos, contrabasses, oboes and clarinets. prise just before the intermission: “While almost all works by Giuseppe Verdi, Before the orchestra began, Rohani the presence of two maestros at one Puccini, Mozart, Gaetano Donizetti, and greeted the audience with a sad smile concert is uncommon, I have to say that Umberto Giordano. From 1990-1993, he and dedicated the night’s performance to tonight we have actually three.” He then was the Principal Conductor and Artistic the injured and victims of Plasco building went on to introduce Alberto Veronesi Advisor of RAI National Symphony collapse in Tehran as well as those who who conducted a short piece composed Orchestra. From 2006-2011, he was lost their lives in an earthquake in Italy. by legendary Italian opera composer Gi- the musical director and artistic adviser Following that, the audience all rose acomo Puccini. of the Opera National de Nancy et de in respect to the national anthems of The performance was concluded by Lorraine in France. Since 2002, he is a Iran and Italy played by the musicians on Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, performed visiting professor at the Guildhall School stage. in four consecutive sections, which gave of Music and Drama in London| Culture Page 47 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY High-profile session addresses environmental pollution By: Samad Habibi

How would high-profile session succeed in effectively addressing pressing issues of airborne particles which have jeopardized the daily life of people in Khuzestan and other provinces in varying degrees?

A session finally decides to hear the plights of the environment in the south- western province of Khuzestan after reports of the pollution brought the is- sue to national and even international focus; the high-profile session is brilliant neighbors to look into the pollution in diplomatic corridors to persuade Tur- in terms of its members: Javad Zarif, more seriously and responsibly,” he told key and Iraq to abandon their water-re- Foreign Minister, Masoumeh Ebtekar, the meeting, admitting that such con- serving schemes as GAP (Southeastern VP and Head of Department of Environ- sensus-building would be quite time-in- Anatolia Project) seem impractical; ment, and Hamid Chitchian, Minister tensive and thus would prove futile in the political leverages have not been of Energy. But to what extent they will meeting short-term and emergent occa- enough to persuade the Turkish and succeed in bringing concrete results to sions of severe pollution in Khuzestan. Iraqi officials to merely hear the case, the public depends on the premises of Hamid Chitchian also addressed the let alone stopping such grand schemes the session which seem at best only session; “the Ministry of Energy has ad- in their own home country. “To address tepidly reacting to the disaster already dressed the issue by reviving Hour al- the issue, the government’s share of having affected the lives of hundreds of Azim marshland through channeling 4 responsibility have been carried out thousands of people in a province very billion cubic meters of water from River through negotiations with Iraqi, Syria, strategic for the system; the golden Karkha; the marshland stretches in both and Turkish officials as the source of province which serve the country as a sides of the border with Iraq; the wet- airborne particles,” he said, a fact which cornucopia of oil income. land had almost been dried and thus seems quite unresponsive in immediate Iran’s state news agency IRNA cover- was an active bed of the particles,” he addressing the disaster which had made age of the event quoted Department of detailed. “Two issues affect the drying the public impatient. Environment website, who itself quoted of the wetland; first is Turkey’s unreg- The political conditions of these Javad Zarif who had been addressing the ulated dam building on Tigris and Eu- countries Mr. Chitchian mentions, are meeting about the foreign sources of phrates in its side of the border; this not conducive to addressing the disas- the airborne particle so much the sub- decreased the flow of water in these ter; in Iraq, the central government had ject of officials’ blame: Iraq and its very two rivers down to Iraq alluvial plain; largely been engaged in war with ISIL disorganized millions of acres of desert. the second is Iraq’s measures to reserve and the disintegrated political and social Zarif reportedly called for an ‘interna- water in lakes devised to trap water in- conditions would not allow such recti- tional consensus’ on the issue of pollu- side the country; this contributed to fying efforts to address a geographical tion which only hinged upon few coun- loss of about 100 billion cubic meters phenomenon which affects the coun- tries neighboring Iran. Mr. Zarif said that of water which previously inundated try’s own people as well. Mr. Al-Abadi’s Iran had been working with Syria and the marshland. In the eastern border administration is not in a stable condi- Iraq especially in managing the desert with Afghanistan, we have a similar is- tions to turn to the issue, even if his del- areas, the source or hotbed of airborne sue: Afghan government had not acted egations would assure Iran’s negotiators particles and dust; “however, since according to a deal signed in the 1970s of such and such measures. In Turkey as 2011, political incidents in both coun- whereby it became committed to allow well, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s is highly ob- tries adversely affected the cooperation; water quota of the Hamoun wetland to sessed with political crisis of an aborted Iran has continued and it will continue -ef perpetuate the water ecosystem of the coup and its far-reaching consequenc- forts in international community which region on which the livelihood of many es. Even if the country was in peaceful included a letter to UN Secretary-Gener- people depended.” terms with itself, internationalizing of al to be sent soon to urge international Chitchian’s proposals that the foreign the GAP project, which according to a attention to the issue and to persuade policy machinery should be more active report, has totally been disastrous to » Page 48 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

Syrian and Iraq in environmental terms, the session, with members’ propos- drying of wetlands and marshlands in as Mr. Zarif admits, would be a matter of als to remain on paper at least for the the province contributed to emergence years to be realized. time being. “Local interventions in nat- of 350,000 such empty land susceptible Mrs. Masoumeh Ebtekar points to a ural resources in Karoun and distorting to provide sands enough to reduce the different but highly effective cause; hu- the natural ecosystem in Hour al-Azim vision in cities to less than 5 meters; add man intervention in changing climate, marshland, grand scheme of plantations to this 250,000 hectares of varying area global warming, etc. In her scheme of of sugarcane planned to cover Karoun of Hour marshland, 46,000 permanent things, the causes have been short-term upstream lands, and to expand still wetlands, 58,000 hectares of dry farm- as well. The hazards of simplifying the further plantation for another 550,000 ing lands, and 40,000 hectares of emp- disaster to mere facts would be quite hectares are the causes for the current ty desert; such extensive surface areas enormous; to seek simple solutions for situation; the real solution is to reform are demanding for management and a disaster which is a consequence of these changes to the better; to improve keeping the dust and sands on place,” years of mismanagement and environ- resilience would not mean to allow the he lamented, where he believed water mentally unfriendly practices would be status quo but to adapt to conditions to shortage of years of drought and water to defy the laws of nature; the region- prevent further damage to the environ- loss had hollowed the soil. al trends have been at work since time ment,” she said. “Sand storm should be addressed immemorial and Mrs. Ebtekar and other Yet another official, Mr. Khoda Karam apart from naturally-born sand brought authorities should have been predicting Jalali, Deputy Minister and Head of the by 120-day seasonal winds; the particle such disaster to come once the over- Forest, Range and Watershed Manage- size, wind speed, soil moisture, and grass all effect of these trends turns to be a ment Organization (FRWO) drew dark covering in the area determine the wind beast, equally unruly and devastating. prospects for still deteriorating condi- erosion and sand storm and its severi- The case of Lake Urmia provides testa- tions of the dust storm and airborne ty; particles less than 100 micrograms in ment to this mismanagement and the particles in the years to come; the- re diameter remains suspended in the air failure to study trends and the domestic sponse, he says, had been addressing for 4-7 days, moving horizontally up to sheer irresponsibility of the system. short-term solutions to immediately 8,000km and soaring up to 6km in alti- “The session addresses bilateral and provide relief for the affected citizens tude,” said Ziaeddin Shoaei, head of the multilateral measures in regional and through seeking cooperation of WHO Department of Environment’s task force international levels to prepare for dust and their advice and expert consulta- to combat dust storms detailed. storms and drafting a national roadmap tion. “Currently, the province’s dried He believed general practices of til- to secure national rights and to address 40,000 hectares are the grounds from ing the lands to secure ownership in damage in health, national economy, where severe sand storms roam the Iraq and then abandoning it exacer- water resources, agriculture, and nat- city of Ahvaz the most hit area; planting bated already tense situation in the ural resources,” Mrs. Ebtekar grandilo- saplings in these lands would require western borders; “in eastern borders, quently said. The objectives set totally 3 years to gradually reduce the critical Lake Hamoun is the major source of exceed the possible achievements of conditions in weather for the public; the dust storms where extreme evapora- tion of 5,000mm renders the region virtually unin- habitable, with villagers preferring flight to cities with better conditions; in Central Asia and Lake Aral regions, cotton plan- tations had since long dried up the lake during the Soviet era with dis- astrous effects on the ecosystem of the lake; we believe that low-in- tensity dust in northern provinces should be con- sidered an implication of the Aral drying up, and negotiations would be on the horizon to ad- dress the issue with Uz- bekistan and other coun- tries of the region,” he told the meeting| Page 49 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Oshtornakouh; a safe refuge for Persian Leopard

By: Samad Habibi uable the brown bear; public should Goudarzi had told Mehr News earlier in help these species to create territories November that the wildlife protection Oshtorankouh or Sanowbaran, a part of their own; the public spirit should measures had been strongly enforced of Zagros massifs with breath-taking also have a strong belief that the wild- in the area during 3 past years; “rang- scenery is home to valuable large cat life is worthy of protection and the ers reportedly found remains and bones Persian Leopard and other wildlife government should inculcate in them of the mountain goat in the vicinity of species. the belief,” Beiranvand emphasizes. the natural Lake Gahar; this is indication “Villagers should eschew from any that a natural predator, possibly Persian Located in a pristine part of the Za- reckless action when they detect a leop- leopard is in the area; mountain goat, gros range which crosses in a north- ard or a bear approaching their homes; wild dog, and hug are in the daily menu west-southeast direction the unchart- they are totally harmless to them and of the leopard; the bones bore the trac- ed territories of Lorestan province in will leave the area; local people should es of cat’s teeth,” he said. southwest of the country, Oshtorank- inform the authorities; this is the best Goudarzi rejoiced to provide figures ouh is among rare habitats of the coun- approach to the wildlife seen in the pro- of improved numbers of the mountain try where there is some solace for the pinquity of the villages,” he called the goat aged 9-13 years. “40 of them lovers of the nature and wildlife pushed public. had been detected by rangers in the to the edges by the unregulated city He also believes that the extension wildlife refuge; the punitive measures and land use planning; here the Persian of villages into the territory of the and fines had largely discouraged the leopard or (Panthera pardus ciscaucasi- bears and leopards created such prob- hunters from entering into the area,” ca or Panthera pardus saxicolor) roam lems of confrontation of the wildlife he added. its territory freely. and human. In the past, myriads of re- Dubbed ‘the Alps of Iran,’ Oshto- Yet the local official believes local ports have taken the headlines in local rankouh is unique in hosting flora and communities should join efforts to and national papers that local people fauna highly protected by the author- protect the pristine mountainous ter- trapped and slaughtered a leopard, a ities. Hunting is banned and Depart- rain and its treasures. He is Mehrdad bear, or a hapless hyena which quite ment of Environment had been imple- Fathi Beiranvand, the Head of provin- accidently turned out to be in the menting projects to study the sheer cial office of Department of Environ- realm of the villagers or in the vicinity diversity of plant species on the verge ment who spoke to Mehr News local of towns. of extinction. Fauna also burgeoned correspondent; he has good news Beiranvand however says the legal and reached to a balanced level. “In yet; “during 3 years of hard work by protection of the wildlife would dis- 1960, a general ban was put on hunt- the rangers of the Department, the courage such unnecessary collective on- ing which had covered Oshtorankouh wildlife succeeded in multiplying their slaught to the wildlife by the untrained range and Niga valley where the na- numbers through mating; rare species rural people; “anyone who attacks or ture hosts 600 plant species and 274 of large cat and other carnivorous fau- kills a member of species in the wild, animal species; 68 plant species are na abounds in the region,” he says. will be sued and tried in the court; hunt- native to the mountains which sets “Yet human intervention should be at ing such species will face 5 years behind the area in the top of areas rich in ge- work to protect the Persian leopard, the bars and a fine of $ 20, 780,” he tells netic reserves; we believe the area has an invaluable large cat, from extinc- Mehr News correspondent. the necessary requirements for being tion; local people should contribute to Head of Oshtorankouh Protected designated a national park,” Goudarzi protection of the cat and no less val- Wildlife Refuge Patrolling Unit Ahmad concluded| Page 50 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

Astana Peace Talks for Syrian Settlement Dossier Dossier Page 51 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Astana meeting; is peace negotiable? By: Parnaz Talebi

Kazakh capital is hosting one the most controversial peace talks since the international efforts started for bringing back the stability to Syria.

Russia, Turkey and Iran agreed upon an agenda to help settle the Syrian cri- sis earlier in a trilateral meeting held in Moscow on December 20 and the Res- olution 2336 was adopted by UNSC on Dec. 31 to support an inclusive ceasefire in Syria and the political process. Rus- sian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdo- gan had discussed earlier, on Decem- ber 17, the possibility of holding talks in Kazakhstan’s capital Astana between the Syrian government and opposition groups with Russia, Iran and Turkey as that is, armed groups or armed opposi- foreign policy has unleashed ISIS, dest- potential mediators. Kazakh President tion,” Lavrov has emphasized. The par- abilized the Middle East,” Trump has Nazarbayev supported this initiative, -ex ticipation of armed opposition would said in his speech against the terrorism. pressing readiness to provide a platform contribute to the main objective of As- Trump also has noted the wrong ap- for the talks in the Kazakh capital. tana talks, which is an inclusive and last- proach US has taken toward the conflict The last round of such talks was held ing ceasefire. A lasting ceasefire would in Middle East that has paved the way in Geneva on April 13-27, bearing no establish the stability and peace largely for rise of terrorism “our current strate- fruit as the Riyadh-formed High Nego- needed for political talks. Accordingly, gy of nation-building and regime change tiations Committee (HNC) opposition with a minor US participation in ambas- is a proven failure. We have created the group walked out of the negotiations. sador level and no participation by Arab vacuums that allow terrorists to grow Staffan de Mistura, UN Special Envoy states of the region, the nature of the and thrive.” He had also expressed read- for Syria, said in December 2016 that Astana talks seems different providing iness to cooperate with Russia on the the United Nations plans to resume the space for a real intra-Syrian talks. Iran issue who has the leading role in fight talks on February 8, 2017. The Astana and Russia, on the hand, are basically against the terrorists in Syria. Trump peace talks, Russia has underlined, is regarded as close allies of Syria and Tur- sounds promising on the issue of fight just a complementary platform to Gene- key, although in a concerning situation, against terrorism however it would be va meetings and does not seek rivalry. has been flexible and showed eager to very difficult to believe the positive role Astana talks marks a great step to- help the process during recent months. US is claiming to play in the Middle East. ward the long-desired political solution Yet the condition is still very compli- The interests of US and its great allies in to the Syrian conflict, as it was able to cated and makes any prediction very dif- the region, including Saudi Arabia and bring the armed opposition groups to ficult. First of all the talks are generally a Israeli regime, lie directly at the sectar- the negotiation table for the first time platform for a dialogue between Syria’s ian conflict currently enflaming the ten- since the onset of peace meetings. The armed opposition groups and the- gov sions in countries like Syria, Iraq, Yemen meeting has been organized to consol- ernment of Damascus who have defi- and Libya. idate the ceasefire and engage of the nitely very less in common to negotiate Turkey also is a concern. The country armed opposition in the Syrian political on. The opposition group itself includes has long been an adversary to the Syrian process”I believe that one obstacle to different representatives from different government collecting efforts to topple the talks was the fact that the UN only groups with different approaches labe- down the legitimate Syrian President sent invitations to members of the polit- led by US as moderates, a division not Assad. Ankara has also been one of the ical opposition, the overwhelming ma- accepted by Syrian government. key supporters of the terrorists in Syria jority of whom were emigrants living in Another notable issue is the stance of by whether letting the flow of human Europe, the Middle East or other coun- US, which has just recently welcomed its resources through its borders or fund- tries but not in Syria, and to some op- new president, Donald Trump. “The rise ing and arming them. The enthusiasm position members in Syria… These talks of ISIS is the direct result of policy de- Turkey shows in cooperation with Russia were not attended by those who really cisions made by President Obama and and Iran on the Syrian issue, although determine the situation on the ground, Secretary Clinton; the Obama-Clinton understandable regarding the insecu- » Dossier Page 52 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY rity the country is experiencing, raises doubts. Turkey’s interests got in a contradictory direction US to abandon Assad with US’ when the latter refused to submit Fetullah Gulen, founder of the Gullen movement, after the ouster under Trump failed coup in Turkey. Erdogan’s for- eign policy then shifted positively toward Russia, Syria and Iran and set the ground for a trilateral co- operation on the Syrian conflict. Other major contrast of Ankara and Washington is the issue of Kurds to whom Turkey looks at as terrorists and fights against while US sup- ports them entirely in the region in hope of setting up an independent Kurdish state. Nonetheless, Tur- key has vowed not to let terrorist groups violate the reached cease- fire agreement on December and to establish security at its borders Interview by: Marjohn Sheikhi jection to the inclusion of the US in the with Syria. course of negotiations. Trump’s presi- Astana round of talks, an initi- Former CIA officer Philip Giraldi in an dential campaigns on regional policies ative by Syrian allies, is a result of interview with MNA said the incoming marked a stark contrast to the Obama achievements reached in the battle president Trump will not support administration policy which sought- re field. A relatively stable ceasefire Obama’s ouster policy for Assad and gime change in Syria as the only way to was established after the trilateral will be eager to back an option that settle the conflict. It remains to be seen, meeting of Iran, Russia and Turkey will let US withdraw from the region. however, if incoming President Trump in Moscow on December, success- will keep his presidential vows in regard full to the moment despite all pre- Weeks before the Astana talks on the to Middle Eastern affairs. vious ceasefire agreements, and Syrian situation aimed at achieving a In an exclusive interview with Mehr the armed opposition groups are political solution to the six-year conflict News Agency, former CIA counter-ter- at the moment at the negotiation in the Arab country that will convene rorism specialist and military intelli- table with Syrian government in As- today in the Kazakh capital, officials in gence officer Philip Giraldi expressed tana at the presence of mediators Iran, Russia and Turkey had been busy optimism over the outcome of the As- like De Mistura, Iran, Russia and holding last minute talks either in face- tana talks, adding “it is clear that the Turkey. Despite all pessimism, what to-face meetings or by phone. Syrian government and its allies have is obvious is that Astana peace talks The United Nations also confirmed the upper hand militarily and it will is an opportunity and such an op- attendance in the talks, led by diplo- now be necessary to confirm that the portunity should be optimized by mat Ramzy Ramzy and accompanied government will not be replaced in the Syria and its allies to urge all in- by Chief of the Mediation Support Unit near term while also drawing up zones volved parties to stay committed Robert Dann. of responsibility for the parties in the to their obligations, particularly The Astana meeting gains special conflict as part of a cease fire and disar- Turkey who has accepted to man- magnitude in the wake of recent de- mament agreement.” age the issue on the opposition velopments in Syria, most notably the “Once the government and oppo- side due its influence among them. liberation of Aleppo by the Syrian Army sition are operating in and confined to The opportunity should be used as back in December, and the inclusion of their established zones it will be possi- a means to stress the political pro- Turkey, this time as the guarantor of ble to discuss issues like amnesty and cess and the road map towards it the ceasefire, and not as an advocate political reconciliation, both of which requiring all parties to the conflict of toppling President Bashar Assad – an will have to take place,” he added. to hold the ceasefire strictly, to put option that Turkish President Erdogan Giraldi assessed the role and impact emphasis on legitimacy of fight had been pursuing vehemently as his of each participating side on the pro- against terrorists regardless of their Syria policy. cess of the negotiations, adding “the labels, Syria’s territorial integrity, Meanwhile, the incoming Trump ad- shift by Turkey in no longer demanding and the need to refrain from in- ministration had, reportedly, received the ouster of al-Assad has been critical terfering in the final decision to be an invitation to the talks by Russia, al- as it has severely limited direct support agreed upon by Syrian nation and though Iranian Foreign Minister Mo- of the insurgents, but the role of Iran, government| hammad Javad Zarif has voiced his ob- Turkey and Russia as guarantors of the Dossier Page 53 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY process is absolutely essential.” “Syria will be for the foreseeable ary 23 and 24 in the Kazakh capital city He went on to add, “it has always future a state in reconstruction, much where representatives of the Syrian been clear that Syria will need a local like neighboring Iraq has been,” Gi- government and the opposition groups solution and Turkey and Iran presenting raldi predicted for Syria in the wake that have not been blacklisted in the UN a unified front alongside the Syrian gov- of a positive outcome of the Astana as terrorists will sit down at the negoti- ernment makes a successful outcome talks. “It will need considerable out- ating table to arrive at a political solu- much more likely.” side resources, which, in normal cir- tion and sustainable peace and stability Giraldi found it likely that the US rep- cumstances could be coming from the in the country. Iran, Russia and Turkey resented by incoming president Donald Saudis and Gulf States, so the question as well as a delegate from the United Trump would participate in the Astana becomes to what extent will those Nations will observe the meeting.- Lat talks. He maintained that in this case, governments go along with a solution est developments note that the Trump the presence of Trump administration for Syria that leaves the government in administration have not sent a delega- in the meeting will signal that “Trump place and gives to Iran a major role in tion to Astana talks due to “immediate will be abandoning the Obama policy of the settlement process.” demands of the transition,” but the US ouster for al-Assad and will seek to sta- “I suspect there will be serious prob- ambassador to Kazakhstan will attend as bilize the situation, which Iran and Rus- lems and also Israel will be seeking to an observer. sia have been working to do for the past disrupt any settlement that leaves Syria The Astana meeting will also prepare two years.” intact as its desire is to see Syria bro- for Geneva talks resumption on Febru- “I do not believe that Trump and his ken up into tribal and ethnic groupings ary 8. advisers wish to continue the current much as has happened in Iraq,” he said, policy and will be eager to support an but went on to dismiss the notion that Philip Giraldi is a former CIA counter- option that will permit US to focus on the US under the presidency of Donald terrorism specialist and military destroying ISIL and withdrawing from Trump would back these disintegrating intelligence officer who served the region,” he further stressed. “Trump policies. eighteen years overseas in Turkey, will not support the Obama policy and “I do not think the United States will Italy, Germany, and Spain. He is a has no interest in removing al-Assad.” give in to the demands of the Saudis or recognized authority on international “I do not expect Saudi Arabia and the Israelis, however, as I believe that Trump security and counterterrorism issues. Persian Gulf States to participate even if will be seeking to finish the fighting and Giraldi is currently President of San they were to be invited and will not will- disengage rather than continue the Marco International, a consulting firm ingly cooperate with what is decided,” armed conflict,” he said. that specializes in international security he added. The Astana talks are slated for Janu- management and risk assessment| Dossier Page 54 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Former US diplomat: Turkey more reliable than US for Syria talks Interview by: Marjohn Sheikhi

Former US diplomat James Jatras in an interview with MNA said Moscow’s decision to replace Washington with Ankara for the upcoming Astana talks on Syria proves to be more promising for a positive result.

At the end of a trilateral meeting held in Moscow on December 20, foreign ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkey is- sued a joint statement that highlighted the revitalization of a political process to end the Syrian crisis. The statement, lat- er supported by UN’s special envoy on Syria, Staffan de Mistura, underscored, among other topics, the three coun- tries’ “full respect for the sovereignty, He further maintained that Moscow, and perhaps were hoping for. independence, unity and territorial in- closely working with Damascus and Teh- tegrity” of Syria, the inevitability of a ran, have the upper hand in the talks uHow do you assess the role and political solution, and the importance and the participation of the incoming impact of each side on the process of of expanding ceasefire and unhindered Trump administration could be a posi- the negotiations? humanitarian assistance. tive sign if “Trump keeps faith with his Moscow, closely working with Da- Most notably, the statement reiter- campaign promises to work with Russia mascus and Tehran, have the upper ated Iran, Russia and Turkey’s determi- and destroy, not just contain, Daesh” hand. Most importantly, the Assad gov- nation to fight jointly against ISIL and and relinquish the policy of “regime ernment stays. There will be no “regime al-Nusra terrorists and to separate them change” and “nation-building”. change.” Turkey remains the odd man from armed opposition groups. Follow- The following is Mehr News Agency’s out in the tripartite discussion between ing this, the three sides became all the interview with this American specialist Moscow, Tehran, and Ankara. On the more determined to hold a meeting in international relations and govern- other hand, in these talks, Ankara, and in Kazakh capital Asana, where repre- ment affairs, James Jatras: only Ankara, speaks for the “opposition” sentatives from the Syrian government – that is, the terrorists fighting against and the opposition groups that are not uWhat are the possible points of the Syrian government. If Erdogan has blacklisted as terrorists in the UN, will agreement that the sides will reach at abandoned unreal, maximalist goals, as be given the opportunity to sit down for the meeting? Do you think Astana talks appears to be the case, he can secure Syrian-Syrian dialogues to reach a politi- would eventually lead to a positive terms that wind the war down in a way cal solution to six years of conflict. result? that lessens the terrorist blowback Tur- The Astana meeting on Syria is slated I am cautiously optimistic that key has already experienced. for 23 January where President Hassan there can be a positive result. The key Rouhani, President Vladimir Putin and is that after repeated rounds of the uBesides Russia, Iran and Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will ob- “Geneva Process” between Lavrov and what other countries may participate in serve the talks between the Syrian sides. Kerry, Moscow finally decided that the the Astana meeting and what message In an interview with Mehr News Obama Administration could not be a would their presence in the talks Agency, former US diplomat and policy productive interlocutor. They decided convey? adviser for Senate Republican leader- to deal with Ankara instead, and de- Well, Syria of course, but unity of ship James George Jatras voiced cau- spite the notoriously erratic course of purpose among Syria, Russia, and Iran tious optimism toward the upcoming Erdogan during the almost six years of has been essential to their success on Astana talks, noting that the replace- war, he’s turned out to be more reli- imposing their terms on their adversar- ment of Washington with Ankara in the able than Obama and Kerry. The first ies. Turkey has been forced to come to talks was a wise move by Moscow that evidence of that was the relatively terms, the Obama Administration has finally decided “the Obama Administra- quiet wrap-up of east Aleppo, which been dealt out, and other powers – no- tion could not be a productive interlocu- was far less than the humanitarian ca- tably Saudi Arabia and Qatar – need to tor” for settling the Syrian conflict. tastrophe many in the west predicted, consider how disruptive they intend Dossier Page 55 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY to be even though they cannot prevail supported? with Russia and Turkey proclaimed in their initial goals. Qatar is probably If the incoming administration lim- as guarantors of the signed ceasefire smart enough to figure that out. Saudi its itself to those goals, it could be a agreements? Arabia probably isn’t, as its behavior in big success. However, it’s not clear to If a tripartite Moscow-Tehran-Ankara Yemen shows. what extent other “baggage” might agreement that showed a partial suc- complicate things. There are many cess in Aleppo can be replicated coun- uIn case of the US, some Western “Iran hawks” coming into the Trump trywide, and if Trump makes good on his media reported that Russia has invited administration. The ridiculous and pledge to work with Moscow to destroy the incoming Trump administration to false phrase “Iran is the world’s lead- Daesh (and hopefully al-Qaeda and its Syrian peace talks, interpreting it as a ing sponsor of global terrorism” is many offshoots), we could see this war sign of enhanced cooperation between commonly heard. Recently, a group wind down quickly. To be sure, some re- Putin and Trump. How do you evaluate of former officials, including many sistance will continue in the eastern part the possible involvement on the part of close to the incoming Trump team, is- of the country. Pacifying Syria also de- the US on the course of negotiations? sued a letter calling for what amounts pends to some extent on events in Iraq, It’s too soon to tell, but the invitation to “regime change” in Iran. In effect, notably in Mosul (where lack of reports – as, I assume, only an observer for now it’s a call for Trump to destroy his ad- in our media suggest things are not go- – is a positive sign. If Trump keeps faith ministration over Iran the way George ing as well as hoped). But the prospect with his campaign promises to work W. Bush destroyed his in Iraq. On the exists to liberate and restore peace to with Russia and destroy, not just con- other hand, Trump himself has noted the major populations centers, which tain, Daesh, their participation could be that Iran, along with Syria and Russia, would be a great start. a big positive as opposed to the Obama are fighting Daesh. He has said that approach, which could only be a “spoil- the days of “regime change” and “na- James George Jatras is a specialist in er.” tion-building” are over. As a business- international relations, government man, he’s smart enough to know that affairs, and legislative politics. He served Delving a little deeper into this dumping a few trillion dollars down for many years (1985-2002) as policy ژ topic, Donald Trump had strongly the drain will ruin his primary goal to adviser and analyst for the Republican criticized Obama’s policy in Syria during restore the American economy and leadership in the US Senate; before his presidential campaigns, saying create jobs. He has to choose. Unfor- that (1979-1985), he was a US Foreign President Assad’s ouster should not be tunately, even in his own administra- Service Officer with the US Department a primary US interest. Do you believe tion he may find himself lonely. We of State, with service in Mexico and that, in case of attending the Astana shall see. in Soviet affairs and public diplomacy. talks, Trump administration would He is currently Deputy Director of the stick to this position or would carry uHow do you predict the fate of Syria American Institute in Ukraine, a privately on with the same policy that Obama in the wake of the Astana meeting and funded American NGO| Dossier Page 56 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Trump cannot afford to shut out Iran if he wants to defeat ISIL By: Seyed Hossein Mousavian

Throughout his campaign, US President Donald Trump vowed that confronting terrorism and destroying the self- proclaimed Islamic State would be his highest foreign policy priority.

Since assuming office, however, he has taken measure after measure that exacerbates, rather than alleviates, the threat of terrorism. His “secret” plan to confront ISIL has so far turned out to just be an order to the Pentagon to de- velop a plan to destroy the organization ― which, according to some reports, would not be a radical departure from the current anti-ISIL campaign. Other actions he has taken or seems poised to take ― on immigration, Iran and Russia ist attacks on US soil. ia by empowering groups like ISIL, un- ― will actively harm efforts to combat As Iranian Foreign Minister Javad substantiated rumors are circulating the terrorist group. Zarif has said, the ban is a “great gift that the Trump administration wishes Trump’s current foreign policy ap- to extremists” and “aids terrorist re- to reach a solution in Syria at the- ex proach is not only self-defeating, but cruitment by deepening fault-lines ex- pense of Iran. If so, this is a recipe for also forgoes a golden opportunity to ploited by extremist demagogues.” The disaster and will guarantee the failure shape a coherent strategy that would Iranian Foreign Ministry also responded of diplomacy. Iran, long at the forefront allow him to usher in a political solution to Trump orders by stating it was “con- of the fight against ISIL, has significant to the Syrian war, destroy ISIL and re- sidering” taking a reciprocal action, but leverage on the ground in Syria and has pair US ties with the Kremlin. Improved unlike the US ban, will not apply it to participated in the Geneva process since U.S-Russia relations will also open the Americans who already have visas. Iran 2015. It is eager to use its leverage to door to Moscow serving as an interloc- is one of the seven Muslim-majority reduce the level of violence and bring utor facilitating mutually beneficial US- countries targeted by Trump’s execu- about a lasting peace in Syria. But if the Iran engagement. tive order. Millions of people of Iranian US tries to forcefully exclude it from ne- Rather than pursue strategically wise background in America and across the gotiations and approach it in a zero-sum diplomacy, however, Trump has started world have been affected ― whether it manner, it will have no choice but to use his presidency by signing a controversial be because they are on student or work the many tools available to it to thwart executive order on immigration; ban- visas, have green cards, or are dual-Ira- such efforts. ning temporarily immigrants and visitors nian nationals with any other country. Iran’s important role in Syria was and from seven Muslim-majority coun- Iranian-Americans, for their part, have demonstrated last week in two days of tries ― with an indefinite ban on Syrian contributed immensely to US society landmark negotiations over the Syrian refugees. Not only does this move defy and are among America’s most success- war in Astana, Kazakhstan. The talks legal precedent, it has also torn apart ful immigrant groups. This ban not only marked the first time in nearly six years countless families and upended lives reinforces elements in Iran which have of war that representatives of the - Syr across the world. By failing to distinguish always argued that the US government ian government and armed opposition between extremists and the vast major- cannot be trusted, but also signals to negotiated directly. Brokered by Turkey, ity of peaceful Muslims, the racially in- Iranians of every political stripe that Iran and Russia ― the latter two the Syr- flammatory executive order also utterly Washington views them with discrimi- ian government’s main backers and the fails in its aim of thwarting terrorism and natory disdain. former a leading supporter of the rebels in fact is a boon to terrorist groups like ― the negotiations ended with a signed ISIL. It bars over 200 million people from Trump Poised to Pursue Self-Defeating agreement by the outside powers to up- entry in the United States, even as stud- Syria, ISIL Strategies hold the fragile country-wide cease-fire ies have shown that no individuals from On top of the executive order, which and set up a trilateral body to monitor these countries have committed terror- promises to add fuel to the war in Syr- and enforce it. Dossier Page 57 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

By bringing the government and currently serving as the bridge between sabotage Russian-Turkish-Iranian dia- opposition together and solidifying Iran and Turkey ― which is de-facto rep- logue, any hope he has in defeating ISIL support for the cease-fire, the three resenting Saudi and Gulf Cooperation and diminishing the terrorist threat in convening powers moved the warring Council interests ― and is attempting to the Levant will be eliminated. Further- parties one step closer to a political increase areas of commonality between more, Trump should know that Iran and agreement. The joint statement they the two countries. As Trump pursues Russia are neighbors, and that strong released at the end of the talks also diplomacy with Russia, it is critical that relations between them is a strategic affirmed their support for the under- he recognize the importance of the Rus- imperative for both of them. Improving lying principles of the Geneva process, sian-Iranian relationship both in combat- the US-Russia relationship should not the peace talks led for years by the Unit- ting terrorism and facilitating a political be envisioned as coming at the cost of ed Nations and the United States. While solution in Syria and elsewhere in the Iran-Russia relations. First and foremost, the Geneva process has long stalled and region. Attempting to increase distance it will simply not work, as it is far beyond struggled to implement its agreed-to between Iran and Russia will not only be the imagination of Russian policy mak- principles, the Iran-Russia-Turkey-led a moot effort, but will also harm region- ers that they can count on the United diplomatic initiative, as exemplified by al cooperation and prospects for the in- States as a stable, long-term partner in Astana, has proven able to bring togeth- clusive diplomacy necessary to end the the same way they can of Iran. Secondly, er the real stakeholders in the conflict, Syrian war. in the region currently, Russia and Iran both inside and outside the country. If It would be in the interests of the are bearing a maximum level of burden complemented with the Geneva frame- United States if Trump were to have a for keeping regional states intact, while work as planned, a peaceful settlement positive, win-win mentality in approach- the United States is bearing a minimum to the Syria crisis ― and an end to the ing Russia and Iran. While his current amount, a reality which binds them to suffering of millions of innocents ― will approach will almost certainly greatly each other. The region is on the verge be in reach. worsen America’s quagmires in the Mid- of total collapse, and Russia, the US and

Russia and Iran Must Be on Board in Diplomatic Efforts Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lav- rov and his Iranian counterpart Moham- mad Javad Zarif lay flowers in front of a photo of a Russian ambassador to Tur- key, who was killed in Ankara, on Dec. 20, 2016. The fact that Iran joined Russia and Turkey in driving the Astana talks, which relegated US participation to observer status and saw no Saudi participation, is a testament to its importance in de- livering a viable peace in Syria. At a re- cent conference in the Middle East, a senior Arab official divulged to me how the Saudi leadership feels overstretched in the region and entangled in Yemen, where they are increasingly dedicating the lion’s share of their capabilities and dle East and make the threat of terror- Iran should welcome collective coopera- resources. At the same time, the official ism all the more difficult to effectively tion to prevent all-encompassing chaos. told me, the Saudis feel their efforts in address, the potential exists for him to Syria have resulted in blowback, given choose another path and score major Seyed Hossein Mousavian is a Middle that their preferred groups have either achievements. If Trump elected a more East security and nuclear policy been overtaken or outright coopted by diplomatic and inclusive foreign policy, specialist at Woodrow Wilson School terrorist groups. As a result, Saudi Ara- he could simultaneously achieve four of Princeton University and author bia did not go to the Astana talks, but accomplishments: Improve ties with of “Iran and the United States: An the Syrian opposition High Negotiations Russia, facilitate a resolution to the Syr- Insider’s View on the Failed Past and Committee ― founded in Saudi Arabia ian crisis, eradicate ISIL, and through the Road to Peace.” He previously in 2016 ―decided to lend its support to Russian mediation, work to mend US- served as the head of the Foreign the anti-government military delegation Iran ties. If such a reality comes to pass, Relations Committee of Iran’s National going to Astana after debating the mat- a truly effective coalition will emerge Security Council from 1997 to 2005, and ter for two days in Riyadh. that can manage other regional crises was spokesman for Iran in its nuclear Having Iran on board is crucial if any as well. negotiations with the international peace talks are to be successful. Russia is On the other hand, if Trump tries to community from 2003-2005| Dossier Page 58 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Fmr. US Army PsyOp officer: US young generation seek Russia-Iran in circle of friendship Interview by Lachin Rezaian

A former US army psychological operation officer and counter-terrorism analyst said American younger generation is by instinct more inclusive and are looking for ways to include Russia-Iran in the circle of friendship, and they voted for Trump largely because of his desire for this also.

Criticizing the US Congress, Scott Ben- nett said the key to getting a ‘yes vote’ in the Congressional hearings for the elected secretaries of President Trump is essentially to say nothing and commit to nothing, and smile and nod in ‘bob- ble-head’ approval to the puppets in Congress who ask the questions. Pointing to the boycott by Democrats of Trump Presidential Inauguration due Therefore it would a natural and in- ica towards Iran and Russia, and they on Friday, Bennett said it will be cele- telligent choice for President Trump to certainly do not wish to become—and in brated and lamented by many as the send US representatives to participate in fact will not allow—politicians and a me- death of the Democrat party. these discussions, and I believe he will. dia from trying to lobotomize them into “It will be celebrated by Republicans Despite the criticisms of Trump’s past this mindset. because it is an “abandonment of the statements and concerns regarding Mus- Obama himself has said that the field” by Democrats, and confirmation of lims in general, I believe this prior con- younger generation is “by instinct more an emotional breakdown and child-like fusion can be cleansed with clear facts, inclusive” and this means they are look- tantrum by the Democrats in a desper- history, and honorable sources of infor- ing for ways to include Russia-Iran in ate attempt to somehow hurt Donald mation which can help President Trump the circle of friendship, and they voted Trump,” Bennett said in an exclusive in- assemble a complete picture of the cur- for Trump largely because of his desire terview with Mehr News Agency: rent Middle East community of nations, for this also. Fortunately, for Americans, the issues, and the potential solutions. President Trump’s “business man” acu- uRussian Foreign Minister Sergey men enables him to analyze people, Lavrov has said he believes US uIf Trump attends Astana meeting, it countries, and projects from a pragmat- representatives should be invited to the may lead to the resumption of Russia- ic political perspective, rather than an Astana meeting on Syria. Iran rejects US ties. Do you think it can also provide emotional one, and this will be his policy any participation by US representatives grounds for Iran-US relations? in the future. at the scheduled Syria peace talks in President Trump, like many Ameri- Astana. Do you think Trump will attend cans, knows two things: 1) America has uSome of Trump’s choices for his the meeting, regarding that he had told suffered a distorted information en- cabinet members have taken opposite during his presidential campaign that vironment with regards to Iran by the positions in their hearings comparing Russia and Iran are fighting against ISIL media and virulent Zionist fanatics; and to Trump’s during his presidential and this is in our interest? 2) every American under the age of fifty campaign. What are the outcomes President Trump has said one of his years of age has absolutely no problem, and reasons for their disagreement on top priorities is to establish a positive prejudice, or passion towards either JCPOA, Russian issue, etc? working relationship with Russia in- or Russia or Iran, and this is the future Trump’s cabinet members are saying der to fight and destroy the ISIL terror- Americans want to pursue. Americans things now, in front of Congress and the ists. He has also expressed a willingness under fifty have not suffered the emo- Senate hearings, largely to simply “get to work with “other countries” who are tional hysteria, blind hatred and political approved”. Most of their statements are willing to do this. schizophrenia of the “cold war” of Amer- calculated simply to get them a “passing Dossier Page 59 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY vote” and will not reflect the philosophy his attacks to CNN and many other and degrading everything they are ex- of Donald Trump. things, and what will be the nation’s pected to upold, preserve, and protect. President Trump will order every reactions and especially those who The other fantasy—or lie—the Amer- member of his cabinet to implement his voted for him? ican public is refusing to accept from personality, his political philosophy, his President Trump knows, and has pas- the mainstream media or the psychotic policy agenda into all the agencies of the sionately and publicly proclaimed, that politicians is the “Russian hacking of the federal government, and not to pursue CNN is “fake news”, and has invented all US election and connection to Trump”. their own agenda or prior goals or ideas. kinds of lies and deceptions and distor- Ironically, the vast majority of Americans So many members of the Trump cabi- tions about him. He has stated he will have said, regardless of how Trump was net, although distasteful and ignorant also continue to communicate on his elected, they are more than happy is was as they may be towards Russia and Iran, own, acting as his own Press Secretary in elected. Americans are relieved because will have to report to President Trump a way, on Twitter and social media. This of the great fear they had that Hillary on everything they say and do, and fol- means he will have a direct access to the Clinton was preparing to lead America low his policies and philosophy, not their American heart and mind, and will cul- into endless wars in the Middle East, own. tivate a positive and transparent “one- China, and Russia—which would have on-one” dialogue with America—and effectively destroyed America, if not the uHow do you evaluate over the the world. As history shows, President world. This hell was avoided, and the situation of Trump’s elected ministers? Franklin Roosevelt did this in his “fire- God of the Universe heard the prayers Would they be able to get yes vote? side chats” on the radio with Americans, of Americans—and the world—and has The key to getting a “yes vote” in the and Ronald Reagan also did this on TV spared us this destruction. Americans— Congressional hearings is essentially from the Oval Office. These acts of open, and the people of the world—are now to say nothing and commit to nothing, transparent, intimate conversations with hoping and praying that Donald Tru mp and smile and nod in “bobble-head” ap- Americans was what made them two of will wisely lead America along a new path proval to the puppets in Congress who the most loved and respected and suc- of tolerance, peace, and prosperity, and ask the questions. Simply speaking in cessful Presidents in American history. abandon the fanatacism and obsession “plain-vanilla” language, without a lot of The same will occur with Trump—and for empire which started on September facts or details and little or no passion, more so—given the renaissance in the 11, 2001 when the greatest deception and go around in circles, pleases the American identity, peace with other na- in history occurred in the false-flag at- empty headed American Congress, who tions he wishes to secure, and hope for the tacks upon the World Trade Center and are more interested in hearing their own future that he passionately believes in. the Pentagon. The final hope of course voices and pleasing the money-lenders is that European leaders are being re- who fund their re-election campaigns. uDozens of democratic lawmakers placed, such as in France, Britain, and Now of course there are some psychot- are boycotting President-elect Donald Germany, and they will join President ic, homocidal maniacs—such as Senator Trump’s inauguration, accusing Trump Trump into lifting the sanctions against John McCain—and homosexual cheer- of preaching policy of division and Russia, creating new relations with Iran, leaders—such as Senator Lindsay Gra- hate, his insults to some US democratic and combining their wisdom to work ham—who desire only war and conflict representatives and saying his together on terrorist problems through and cultural destruction in America, but election has depended on the foreign diplomacy, rather than interventionism, they are an aberration and not respect- interference of Russia’s leaders. What regime change, and reckless wars. ed by the majority of Americans. do you evaluate this? Like Ronald Reagan in the 1980’s, This boycott of the Presidential In- Dr. Scott Bennett, formerly of the US President Trump will implement auguration by Democrats will be -cele Army 11th Psychological Operations far-reaching and profound pro-business, brated and lamented by many as the Battalion, attempted to blow the anti-tax, anti-regulation and big govern- death of the Democrat party. It will be whistle by contacting the commercially- ment policies, as well as a pro-peace, celebrated by Republicans because it is controlled media and writing to US non-interventionist foreign policy in the an “abandonment of the field” by Dem- politicians after being sacked from coming year. Once the positive effects ocrats, and confirmation of an emotion- his job as terrorist finance investigator and friendly thaw in relations begins al breakdown and child-like tantrum by after he proved too zealous at the job. to appear to Americans, they will exu- the Democrats in a desperate attempt He also tried to expose Union Bank of berantly support President Trump even to somehow hurt Donald Trump. But Switzerland for financing terrorism (Al more. This naturally will mean that any instead, Democrats will only be hurting Qaeda, Benghazi, ISIL) through the US and politician—especially Republican—who themselves, because the American peo- Allies, Saudi, Qatar, Turkey, Israel back in stands against Trump and his cabinet ple have no patience or respect for this 2012; then thrown in prison for it. Bennett picks, will be most likely voted out of of- behavior. They expect and demand their had a background in advertising, before fice in the coming year. politicians to behave like aristocrats, like being fast tracked into the US military statesmen, like leaders worthy of the PSYOPS division, receiving a Direct uHow do you think about Trump’s great trust and faith put into them by Commission as an Officer, and held a situation in the current US community, the Voter American voter. By boycotting Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmentalized regarding his low popularity rate and Trump, they are instead contradicting Information (TS/SCI) security clearance| Page 60 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

Dire Humanitarian Situation in Bahrain Dossier Dossier Page 61 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

By: Hamid Reza Gholamzadeh

January 6 marks 200 days since the 200 days of siege in Bahrain ruling regime in Bahrain has imposed a siege on the whole village of Diraz banning tens of thousands of civilians amid global indifference from access to basic rights.

The siege was a step forward by Al Khalifa ruling dynasty in the tiny Persian Gulf state, where the majority of people are Shia Muslims ruled by the minority Sunni rulers, after the Shia figure Aya- tollah Sheikh Isa Qassim was stripped of his Bahraini nationality. The verdict was received by public anger and tens of thousands of people supporting the religious figure poured to the streets of Dizar district, a village where Sheikh’s house is located, to prevent any possible attack by the armed forces. The history of such rising pressure on Shia community dates back to early 2011 when the Islamic Awakening also known as Arab Spring erupted in the region. On 14 February 2011, massive protests of people in Bahrain started and unlike Uprisings without ousting demands Who is targeted by the siege? what was going on in birthplace of the But why were the people holding In response to the authoritative be- unrest, Tunisia, as well as others such peaceful protests after all? havior of the king, leader of the Muslims as Egypt, the protests in Bahrain were It is an important question which can in Bahrain Sheikh Isa Qassim embraced totally peaceful and their leaders had be a key to the current situation in Bah- three phases of moves to pave the way strongly warned against any violence. rain. At least nearly 80 percent of the for a democratic reform. He contributed Like Tahrir Square in Cairo, Lulu (Arabic population in Bahrain is made by Shia to establishment of Islamic Ulema Coun- for pearl) Square was symbol and epi- people which are surprisingly deprived cil, Al-Wefaq Party and Islamic Tawiya center of demonstrations. The sign at of many basic human and social rights (Enlightenment) Society, each focusing the middle of the square consisted of and of course of any high level and man- on religious issues and policy making, six pillars going to skies and reaching to- aging positions in military, government political issues and cultural affairs,- re gether at the top, holding a pearl which and state-run organizations. Along with spectively. the square was named after. The pillars this longstanding discrimination, the One can make a parallel between symbolically represented six members conduct of promises the king had made these three organizations and those of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council has been a source of problem, too. Americans have supported in many unity of whom was considered a pearl When Sheikh Hamad took the throne countries to promote democracy and at the top of the structure. The site was in 1999 he first decided to bring pro- democratic values. Not only did not the chosen wisely and metaphorically as the tests of that decade to an end. In 2001 bodies seek any violence or discord be- venue of protests to show unity of dem- he promised democratic reforms based ing promoted in society, but also they onstrators, too. on a National Action Charter which con- were a huge contributor of unity among It was no surprise that fearing a pos- sidered amendments to 1973 constitu- the Shia and the Sunni. The entities sible toppling of the rulers, the regime tion; the opposition refused the amend- meant an effort to properly criticize forces showed a heavy hand in response ments as serving the power of the problems and promote reforms in the to the protests. Many male protesters, king. King Hamad accepted to remove government. including men and boys, were detained amendments to the constitution, but in As the intellectual leader of the in masses to an extent that very soon, 2002 he unilaterally promulgated a new movement, Sheikh Isa has always re- the majority of demonstrators were constitution which granted him privileg- futed violence or even any demands women. Meanwhile, on March 18, 2011, es to personally appoint PM or the judi- to topple the regime; his words and the government rushed into demolish- ciary members or approve ministers. He demands of him and his followers is to ing the Lulu square. The regime, further, also formed a second legislative council make reforms in current structure to sought help of neighboring Saudi Arabia whose members were appointed by the make it democratic. to deploy its forces for crackdown of op- king and had the right to confirm or re- It is no secret anymore that sup- position. ject legislations of the current body. ported by the United Kingdom and the Dossier Page 62 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

United States, Persian Gulf countries are the regime decided to accuse Sheikh imposed a siege on the whole neighbor- being ruled by authoritarian regimes Isa of money laundering on the pretext hood. Recently the army cordoned off which have no respect or concern about that he had received money from his fol- the region with armored vehicles and democracy and human rights; and re- lowers; the money is in fact a religious riot police forces surrounded the area gretfully, the West never stops supports duty in Shia Islam which doesn’t exist Sheikh’s house is located. Once again, and trades with them. This actually has in Sunni Islam. In other words, the rul- news broke out among the people and paved the way for the Al Khalifa regime ing dynasty which is from minor Sunni more people rushed to the location to show suppressive reaction to Sheikh faith, charged a Shia figure for exercising to prevent any raid on his house. Very Isa Qassim and the abovementioned his faith and religious duties. The -out soon, the regime officials claimed that organizations. In 2014, religious council come was a sentence stripping him of the whole forces were after a convict in was closed and late same year opposi- his nationality which was another step adjacent building which later turned to tion party leader Sheikh Ali Salman was in line with other policy of the regime be a 16-year-old boy. arrested to be the first step in closing to change demography of the country Nearly 6 years have passed since the Al-Wefaq Party. Very soon, the cultural by granting nationality to Sunni and first calls for better rights and democ- center was closed, too. Although the Wahhabi people from other countries. racy in Bahrain and the outcome has protests in Bahrain were not like other (In about 10 years, the population was been more pressure and discrimination countries witnessing unrests and never nearly doubled from 600,000 people and finally 200 days of siege on people turned to violence on the side of people, due to the same policy of granting na- of a village all under the heavy, deadly the regime in the tiny island was, if not tionality to foreigners, while stripping silence of all international organizations more, as brutal as forces in those coun- nationality of Shia citizens.) and human rights bodies. World needs tries; moreover, it was the only state King Hamad who had reportedly to wake up and oppose situation in Bah- which allowed a foreign army put step vowed other Arab states in Persian Gulf rain, before more bloods are shed and on its soil and suppress its own citizens. to expel Sheikh Isa Qassim within 48 before Sheikh Isa Qassim is executed the As the oppression on masses failed hours, faced public support of people same way Nimr BAqir al-Nimr was mar- to stop the protests, Al Khalifa decided who gathered around Sheikh’s house tyred by Saudi regime. to focus all the pressure on Sheikh Isa and military forces had no way through People in Diraz have been under Qassim. While the Shia Muslims form to reach him. This Friday marks 200 days siege for 200 days and eye help from the the majority of population in Bahrain, since then and the regime has so far world| Dossier Page 63 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Al Khalifa regime bribes HR organizations into silence Interview by: Lachin Rezaian Public Committee for the Unemployed Hassan Abd al-Nabi elaborated more on the outcomes of suppressing Bah- Bahraini political activist criticized the raini activists which is against the hu- international community for its silence man rights principles. over the crimes committed by the Al “Unfortunately, the international Khalifa rulers of Bahrain. community only expresses concern in this regard without taking any measure Bahrain recently executed three against the regime’s crimes. Some of anti-regime Shia activists Sami Mus- the countries which claim to be dem- haima, Abbas Jamil Tahir al-Sami’ and ocratic, to defend human rights and Ali Abdulshahid al-Singace over their to fight terrorism have also remained alleged role in a 2014 bomb attack, silent. This is while some of these amid widespread public anger against countries have closed their eyes to the the death verdicts. crimes and some of them even support sible to re-create a new Arab Spring to The execution of three innocent and also sell weapons to Al-Khalifa re- overthrow the regimes.” young Bahrainis provoked wave of gime in Bahrain,” he underlined. Hassan Abd al-Nabi went on to dis- protests against the Al Khalifa regime. Abd al-Nabi added that Bahraini rul- cuss the role of other countries in stop- Thousands of Bahrainis by holding ers use the weapons to oppress and ping the human rights violations in Bah- demonstrations in different parts of massacre the defenseless people of rain. He said “unfortunately, so far no Bahrain, expressed outrage towards re- Bahrain. The attacks against the people country has taken any steps to stop the cent unjust and brutal executions. of Bahrain have negative impacts on criminal acts to reduce crimes against International and human rights bod- the people of the region in general and people. Even the countries in the re- ies and all popular organizations across Bahrain in particular. gion are inactive to show solidarity with the world have attested to the lack of “Al-Khalifa attacks will not remain the people of Bahrain. transparency in the unfair trial pro- unanswered and the people of Bahrain “This shameful silence will lead to ceedings of the three Bahraini citizens. will not be fooled by the crimes,” he the intensification of the regime’s- ef Bahraini political activist with the said, adding “At any moment it is pos- forts to continue their support for the dictatorship in the region and in Bah- rain,” he noted. Bahraini political activist called those who claim to defend human rights as traders or dealers fed in the way. “The governments pay bribes and gifts to these organizations to keep them silent and fill their political case with legal awards and titles,” he noted adding “in this regard, Prime Minister of Bahrain Prime Minister of Bahrain recently re- ceived many awards and gifts, among them ‘Flame of Peace’ in tribute for his humanitarian role to promote glob- al peace and boost relations between people, something completely in con- trary to who he really is: “He is the greatest commander of Bahraini blood- thirsty military and security murderers and executioners.”

Hassan Abd al-Nabi is a Bahraini political and media activist| Dossier Page 64 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Support for Al-Khalifa, Western strategy to project power in Persian Gulf Interview by: Lachin Rezaian an noted in an exclusive interview with ed Nations Human Rights Commission- Mehr News Agency: er issued a harsh rebuke saying that it Canadian Human Rights Attorney was appalled by the executions. The Edward Corrigan rejected the ‘muted’ uWhat is the outcome of Bahraini UN Commission said they had “serious protests of the United States, Great government’s suppression of pro- doubts whether the accused were pro- Britain and other Western powers democracy activists? How do you vided with the right to have a fair trial.” against the human rights violation in evaluate the role of international The UN Committee was extremely Bahrain as appalling. community in countering the crimes critical of the trials and executions. In a and torture in Bahrain? Press Release they wrote: “We are ap- Bahrain’s human rights climate re- The brutal repression of peaceful palled at the execution by firing squad mains highly problematic. The country’s marchers who are protesting the execu- of three men in Bahrain on Sunday. The courts convict and imprison peaceful tion by firing squad of the three young men had been convicted of a bombing dissenters and have failed to hold offi- activists is only going to intensify the re- in Manama in 2014 that killed three po- cials accountable for torture and other sistance to the Al-Khalifa regime. If the lice officers. They were found guilty -af serious rights violations. regime does not allow peaceful protest ter being allegedly tortured into making Edward Corrigan said Western coun- and recognize the right to free speech false confessions and their lawyers were tries are more concerned about their and address the concerns of the major- not given access to all the evidence against them nor allowed to cross-ex- amine prosecution witnesses during court hearings.” They were joined by the United States who said they were “concerned” about the executions. France also condemned the executions. Great Britain and the European Union deplored the use of the death penalty in this situation. Many other countries including Iran, and Iraq strongly condemned the executions of what they called “political” prisoners. Here is what Human Rights Watch wrote about the trials: “The UN Human Rights Committee, which interprets the International Covenant on Civil and Po- litical Rights, which Bahrain has ratified, has said that “in cases of trials leading to the imposition of the death penalty scrupulous respect of the guarantees strategic alliance with the Al-Khalifa ity Shia population there will be more of fair trial is particularly important and regime than about human rights or the violence. If one suppresses peaceful that any death penalty imposed after an wishes of the majority of the population protest then it makes it inevitable that unfair trial would be a violation of the in Bahrain. violent protest will result if there is no right to life. Human Rights Watch oppos- He warned if the population of Bah- other alternative. es the death penalty in all circumstances rain explodes in anger over the repres- In September 2016 in a joint state- because of its inherent cruelty.” sion and discriminatory treatment, it ment signed by 35 countries, the UN Amnesty International has made will put in jeopardy the presence of the Human Rights Council expressed serious similar criticism of the trials and called United States and Britain, given their concern about human rights violations them “unfair” and they noted that the long history of support for the Al-Khalifa in Bahrain including imprisonment of confessions were based on torture. The dictatorship. those exercising their rights to freedom trials did not meet the required interna- “Strategic relationship with the of expression, assembly and associa- tional standards. Al-Khalifa regime is due to its strategic tion, and lack of accountability. location of Bahrain which allows the In response to the executions the uHow do you analyze the role of other United States and Britain to project their international community has been countries, including US and UK, in power in the Persian Gulf area,” Corrig- more vocal in their criticism. The Unit- raising tensions in Bahrain resulting in Dossier Page 65 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

human rights abuses? which allows the United States and Brit- think about this? The muted protests of the United ain to project their power in the Persian This money is reportedly to help States, Great Britain and other West- Gulf area that dominates the thinking of Bahrain to improve its justice system ern powers is appalling. They are more the Western Powers. The importance of and to improve human rights in the concerned about their strategic alliance oil and the ongoing support of the Brit- tiny Persian Gulf monarchy. However, with the Al-Khalifa regime than about ish, and now the Americans, for the as critics have pointed out that the human rights or the wishes of the major- monarchical dictatorships in the Persian justice system in Bahrain is getting ity of the population in Bahrain. Britain Gulf region necessitates a military pres- much worse. Torture is being used has a military presence in Bahrain which ence to prop up the autocratic feudal against prisoners and being used to they wish to protect. The United States regimes in the area. There is a realiza- convict activists with some receiving 5th Fleet is based in Bahrain. The Ameri- tion on the part of the West that if they the death sentence. In addition, there cans also provide other support. In June did not support the Persian Gulf States is violent suppression of peaceful dem- 2016, the US government lifted its em- with weapons, money and military force onstrators, the killing of unarmed dem- bargo on arms sales to the Bahrain Na- if needed, these regimes would collapse onstrators and the revocation of citi- tional Guard and Bahrain Defense Forc- given their precarious nature. zenship from more than 200 Bahrainis. es. In August 2016 approved an US$150 Freedom of speech and political rights million deal to supply military aircraft uDo you think the Conflict, Stability are under severe attack in Bahrain. parts, ammunition and communications and Security Fund (CSSF)- a financial There have been calls in Britain by the equipment to Bahrain. These actions re- pool worth more than £1bn a year- Labor Opposition and by human rights ward the Manama regime for its viola- is evidence of the militarization of groups to stop sending money to Bah- tion of human and political rights. Britain’s development budget and UK rain until the Al-Khalifa regime substan- If the population of Bahrain explodes complicity in abuses? tially improves its human rights record. in anger over the repression and discrim- Yes. This budget is largely without This money should be used to improve inatory treatment, it will put in jeopardy oversight and is controlled by the Con- human rights and not to reward human the presence of the United States and servative British government at the rights abusers. Britain, given their long history of sup- present time. There has been funding port for the Al-Khalifa dictatorship. to Bahrain in the amount of two million Edward C. Corrigan holds a B.A. in pounds. It does appear that this fund is History and a Master’s Degree in Political uWhy human rights pretenders like being used to support dictatorships and Science from the University of Western the US and UK not only are silent not development. Ontario. He also has a Law Degree against Bahraini government curtailing from the University of Windsor and was freedoms of expression, association uMany activists, NGOs and Human called to the Bar of the Law Society of and assembly and cracking down on rights campaigners in Bahrain, like the Upper Canada in 1992. His academic dissent, but also provide the country Labor party in Britain, complain about area of expertise is the Middle East with financial aids? the lack of transparency surrounding and he has published many articles in Again it is the perceived “strategic how the reserves are spent and about academic publications including Middle relationship” with the Al-Khalifa regime a high degree of ambiguity about the East Policy, Middle East International, and the strategic location of Bahrain status of the CSSF fund. What do you Outlook and Z Magazine| Dossier Page 66 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Bahrain regime to be tougher in 2017 realizing its fail mocracy and human rights principles and they just use these values and ex- ploit them but only where it is in their interest. When they come to Saudi Ara- bia or Bahrain or other friendly coun- tries, though they are the most despotic countries, the most vicious systems they neglect their principles and values of modern democratic governance. The second reason is greed of these countries, they think that they are ready to support these dictatorships as long as they remain a source of financial in- terest for the west, because they have oil especially Saudi Arabia and of course UAE, Qatar and Bahrain and because By: Mohamamd Mazhari revolution on the 14th February 2011 they have plenty of reserved money, US that the people had reached stage of and UK would never ignore all that mon- Saeed Al-Shahabi is one of first political despair with the regime that this re- ey. This is why you see a lot of invest- figures in Bahrain who was forced gime is not reformable. They had tried ment today in UK. If you go to a street in to a self-exile after Manama regime various methods of reform for about 50 London, you can see the high-rise build- imposed a death sentence against him. years, and the regime had the chance to ings, football stadiums, crossing of river reform itself from 1922 until 2017 that themes and any big enterprise you see Shahabi and many other protesters is about 90 years, however it became is invested hugely by those countries in inside and outside Bahrain protest dis- clear that it is not possible. This tribal different sectors. crimination, injustice and brutality of dictatorship cannot be reformed. In fact, And the third and final factor is the the ruling Al Khalifa regime in the tiny none of despotic regimes and dictator- misconception by the western coun- Persian Gulf Arab country. ships in the world have been reformed. tries. They imagine that they can en- After 14 February 2011 uprisings You cannot transform a dictatorship into sure stability of the region under rule erupted across Bahrain, the regime a democracy. You cannot expect from of these monarchies. But the reality op- showed an oppressive reaction by de- despotism and tyranny to give people posites this approach. You cannot have ploying Saudi regime army forces in the freedom and respect freedom of opinion stability and security without democra- country suppressing massive peaceful and expression. Any attempt to reform cy. These despotic states have exported rallies. It has also put pressure on differ- these kinds of dictatorships is futile. So only extremism in past decades as you ent political parties and religious figures the people were clear in their demand have seen. Extremist ideologies and ter- including Sheikh Ali Salman and Sheikh that they want fundamental change and rorism in the Middle East are outcomes Issa Qasem; whereas the latter has this process is unacceptable and intoler- of supporting these countries. If the been under an imposed siege for over able. If reform was possible they would west is serious about achieving peace 7 months now and has been stripped of have done so. They tried that in the 90th and harmony and defeating terrorism, his Bahraini nationality by a court ruling. and the uprising of 1994 - 96 was a clear then they must stop supporting these As the tough responses by Al Khali- example of that and we were there in dictatorships. fa dynasty is increasing day by day, we the 80th and 70th and we did our best have talked to Saeed Al-Shahabi to ask to push through some degree of reform uHow do you evaluate reaction by him share his views about the current plan based on constitution in 1973 but international institutions to Al-Khalifeh situation and what may happen infu- the regime proved that it is impossible. cruel crackdown on protestors? ture in Bahrain. There is hypocrisy and double stand- uWhy western powers such as UK ard. Hypocrisy in their dealing. They uWhat Bahraini people seek to and the USA support Bahraini regime know that Al-Khalifa regime is killing achieve from protests? Would they despite its violation of human rights? people. They know that Bahraini pris- seek introducing reforms to the current They have some reasons; first of all, ons have at least 5000 prisoners, large establishment or they seek to topple there is a lack of loyalty to the princi- amount of them are imprisoned be- the system and instate a new system? ples, so the western countries especially cause of expressing their opinion. They It is clear from the beginning of the UK and USA are simply not loyal to de- know that people have been killed out- Dossier Page 67 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY side the rule of law which is termed as The regime has broken all possible In the last months we have seen esca- “extra judicial killing”. They know that redlines, so you are not allowed to have lation of brutality by the Al-Khalifah; we this regime has destroyed the country right of assembly, the right of expression saw executing people on January 15th and represents just a minority of Bah- or to hold meeting or criticize. This -re and on February 9th also killed three rain while the majority is opposing it. gime has tightened restrictions on lib- people –we don’t know where- but They also know that this regime has erties yet it has managed to avoid sanc- Bahraini authorities say that they killed revoked illegally the nationality of citi- tions thank to western support. They them in the see. So the regime has com- zens and natives and brought foreign- used all possible means to crack down mitted serious crimes against humani- ers and granted them citizenship. They on protesters, they used tear gas that ty as torture is practiced so commonly know that this regime cannot respect was proven by the University of Dublin among Bahraini security forces. human rights and freedom of expres- 2012 that is up to 10-times more toxic What I expect this year is more re- sion, newspaper has been banned or than normal tear gas in order quell an- pression, more killing. We are bracing restricted, journalists are either killed ti-government protestors. They used ourselves to more retribution and - re or imprisoned, human rights activists shotguns against demonstrators and venge by Al-Khalife regime. has been persecuted, including Nabil you can see in photos people bodies are We expect to see more cruelty, more Rajab the most prominent human rights wounded by small bullets. They used torture, more killing and viciousness activist. They know that this tribal sys- extensive number of foreign mercenar- from the regime this year, because tem has violated civil liberties and po- ies to surround villages and towns like it knows well that it cannot continue litical rights and the leaders of political Doraz which is under the oppression much longer. societies were imprisoned and some of for six months. They use also foreign However, people are no longer afraid them are still in jail like Sheikh Ali Salma experts in security fields, for instance, of the Al Khalifa’s suppression and they and Fadhel Abbas while Ebrahim Sharif British personnel are working behind cannot give up their demands because and Sheikh Mohammad Ali al-Mahfouz, the scene to direct the operation against of regime’s brutality and the more vi- secretary generals of two other politi- Bahraini people. Recently we under- cious Bahraini regime becomes the cally institutions were released recent- stood that the regime has had links with braver people become, because they ly, but they are under constant surveil- Israeli government to provide security don’t want to repeat experience of lance. The west knows that the regime technology and follow effective meth- last decades and They will not let the is cracking down on the oppositions ods of suppressing and cracking down regime prevail the country again and harshly, but they chose to ignore it and on Bahraini nation, because of similar- it must go…This is the strategy of revo- they don’t want to see what is going on. ities between these two regimes espe- lutionaries. They will persist, they will They just want to have business as usual cially in their occupation policy. So these have potions, will continue to be in the with the most vicous government in the regimes is using every means to crack streets and they will go to jail and con- Middle East. down on protestors knowing that it will tinue demonstrate until the Al-Khalifah be always protected by western powers. are removed from power because oth- uHow have Bahraini authorities handled erwise they will remain under the threat protestors? There have been stories in uDo you expect to see more clashes in of mass killing, mass execution, destruc- the media that they use unconventional future? What is protestors’ strategies tion of identity of country as well as its weapon against people. to confront the regime? historic values and religion| Dossier Page 68 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

Interview by: Mohammad Mazhari

Irish human rights activist and CEO US, UK, Saudi Arabia behind of Human Rights Sentinel believes green lights from the United States and Britain has encouraged Bahraini Bahrain brutality regime’s oppressive measures.

It has been more than 7 months now that Al Khalifa regime in Bahrain has imposed a siege on Diraz village where top religious figure Sheikh Isa Qassim is residing; moreover, a recent execution of three young Bahrainis drew much criticisms toward the tough response the country has had through 6 years of peaceful protests. As the intense situation and oppres- sive measures of the regime in Bahrain isincreasing in recent days, we have talked to the Irish human rights activist and CEO of Human Rights Sentinel Tara three young political activists? And molish their holy places, to arrest clerics Reynor O’Grady to shed more light on why Bahraini authorities postponed and to kill people while they are congre- the issue. Here is out conversation: the trial? gating. Sheikh Issa Qassim is the most sen- Why western states always ignore uHow do you see protest movement ior and most highly respected holy man some Arab regimes crimes and continue in Bahrain against Al Khalifah regime? in the country, this means that the Shia arming these totalitarian governments? Do you suppose it a violent movement community are his flock and that in ac- Follow the money, the weapons and or it seeks its goals peacefully? tuality he has more ‘power’ over them the power. The war machine must be fed. The people know that the regime than the Al Khalifas ever possibly could. wants to incite violence so that they can They fear his voice and want to silence uWhy don’t we consider a strong be justified in cracking down on them. him, similar to the authorities in Eastern reaction from international society It is against their ethos and their best Qattif who wanted to remove Sheikh to crimes of Bahrain government, in interest to rise in that manner. This is Nimr Al-Nimr (God rest his soul). comparison with their propaganda why the opposition have been exhaust- One would hope that the postpone- against Syrian state? While we see ing every effort to engage through us- ment of the trial is due to some rational Syrian rebels are armed but Bahraini ing internationally accepted methods thinking on the part of someone in the protestors are unarmed? of diplomacy. However, there is no will authorities or a small group of voices We actually DO see a strong reaction from the regime to commit to meaning- with common sense. However, the re- from international society. Everyone ful dialogue. gime does not care about their interna- knows what’s happening in Bahrain. It The youth are understandably frus- tional reputation because they have not is a high agenda topic in Brussels at EU trated and have no way to express them- listened to the many loud calls for hu- Parliament and Geneva at the UN, for selves in order to be heard, this is one of man rights to be observed by NGOs, the many concerned NGOs, for the Trade the reasons for burning tyres. The forces UN and many governments who have Unions and others. But because the patrol the villages with malevolence and expressed profound concern over the USA, KSA and UK have such powerful seek opportunities for reprisals against crisis. The recent executions reflect how influence on the island and are already protestors. Protecting the villages from they have been emboldened to by their very comfortably in bed with the au- these raids coupled with an element of strange military and economic relation- thorities there is little fear of a mass spill enraged retaliation affords the opportu- ships with America and the UK and the over to negatively impact profitability. A nity for skirmishes to break out. But the familial support they enjoy from Saudi. ‘stronger’ reaction would be economic weapons are one sided. Considering the sanctions, removing privileges from the absolute enormity of the protests it is uWhat’s your comment –as a human elite who try to whitewash their activ- clear that if the people were indeed giv- right defender- on preventing people ities by hosting science fairs or racing en to rebellion... there would be a blood from practicing their religious rituals? horses and cars, and preventing their bath. Is that illegal accord to UN charter? children from attending private schools I believe in plurality and fostering and colleges in countries that are willing uWhat is Bahraini regime’s goal from respect for one another’s faith. It is a to do more than just lend oral solidarity trial of Bahrain’s senior Shia Cleric heinous thing to prevent someone from to those suffering under this tyrannical Sheikh Isa Qassim after execution of practicing their method of prayer, to de- regime| Page 69 |No. 8| March 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY News in Vision Asghar Farhadi’s ‘The Salesman’ wins Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif held separate talks with Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Yuri Fedotov and Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution on Feb. 27. Iran-Azerbaijan business forum was held in Urmia, West Azerbaijan province, in the presence of Iran’s ICT Minister Mahmoud Vaezi on Feb. 24.

The Pakistani Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Advisor Sartaj Aziz met with Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehghan at the Headquarter of Iran’s Defense Ministry in Tehran on Feb. 21.

The 6th International Conference in Support of the Palestinian Intifada opened in Tehran on Feb. 21. Chairman of Supreme People’s Assembly of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Choe Thae-bok met with Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani in Tehran on Feb. 20.

FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Kish Island 3-Star 2017 wrapped up on Kish Island Feb. 19, with Russia 1, Poland and Russia 2 standing at first, second and third places, espectively.r Tehran’s designated Aftab City Fair Ground hosted Tehran Auto Fair February 14-18 where domestic and foreign automakers participated.

Tous Gasoline-burning Marine Outboard Engine, a propulsion system for boats, was unveiled as a part of 1st Marine Propulsion Conference, on Feb. 14 in Tehran’s Olympic Hotel. Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani met with Moldovan counterpart Igor Dodon on Feb. 12.

Leader of the Islamic Revoluton Seyyed Ali Khamenei received Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven in Tehran on Feb. 11. People of Tehran, from all walks of life, came to streets on Feb. 10 to commemorate the 38th anniversary of Islamic Revolution.

Tehran hosted the 35th Fajr Film Festival on 31 January – 10 February, 2017. President Rouhani met with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez and Oil Minister Nelson Martinez and on Feb. 18.

President Hassan Rouhani met with the Chairman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus Mikhail Myasnikovich in Tehran on Feb. 7. Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met with UN Secretary- General Special Representative for Iraq Ján Kubiš in Tehran on Feb. 6.

Head of Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani met with President Putin’s special envoy on Syria Alexander Lavrentiev in Tehran on Feb. 6. Defense Industries Organization (DIO), of the Ministry of Defense has inaugurated country’s first ever oceanographic ship dubbed aptly Persian Gulf Explorer, in Bandar Abbas on Feb. 4.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani met with French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault in Tehran on Jan. 31. Plasco, an old commercial building in central Tehran, collapsed after burning for about four hours despite the efforts of firefighters to quench the fire on Jan. 19. More than 20 firefighters were killed in the collapse.

President Hassan Rouhani and Albania’s Foreign Minister Ditmir Bushati met in Tehran on Jan. 15. The first purchased Airbus A321 after the implementation of Iran’s nuclear deal landed in Mehrabad International Airport on Jan. 12.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei led the ritual ‘prayer for the deceased’ in the funeral of former Iranian president and chairman of the Expediency Council Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani at Tehran University on Jan. 10.

New Year celebration was held on Jan. 1 in Saint Sarkis Cathedral in Tehran.