Iran Early Bird

April 7, 2009
Political and Diplomatic Affairs

1. Rowhani: Iran suspended enrichment in fear of US attack - Dr Hasan Rowhani, head of the Strategic Research Centre of the Expediency Council and former secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and chief nuclear negotiator “The suspension period as agreed upon at the Paris Agreement was no more than seven months… One must answer this question by taking a look at the conditions of that time… U.S. presence in our borders, U.S. invasion of Iraq with the excuse of presence of nuclear arms in that country, which also meant potential threat of U.S. attacks against Iran … Suspension was also a way countering global consensus against Iran… Iran's active presence in the global arena neutralized the threat… We suspended [enrichment in] Natanz, but continued our work at [the uranium conversion facility in] Isfahan, since in Isfahan we had not yet reached any result and we were installing the equipment… We did not accept suspension in the construction of centrifuges and continued the effort. We did so because we had few centrifuges and we needed a greater number. At the same time, the Europeans promised us that they would resist the Americans and would not - under any circumstance - allow Iran's case to be aired at the UN Security Council… Suspension back then was the result of consultation within the regime. Such decisions are never decisions of individuals, but always the decisions of the elites of the regime.”
(For full version, please contact Terrogence)

2. Despite the sanctions – Iranian websites are quoting a report in the La Figaro daily that claims that due to the economic crisis in the West, car manufacturers such as Peugeot are disregarding the sanctions on Iran as well as the French government’s demand for a downsizing in capital investments and business ties with the Islamic Republic.

3. Despite the sanctions II – Trade between Iran and the 27 EU member states in 2008 grew 8 percent in relation to the previous year, totaling 25.6 billion euros. Crude oil was Iran’s major export to Europe.

4. Iran urges Russia to complete Bushehr nuclear power plant – According to Iran’s ambassador in Moscow, Seyed Reza Sajjadi, "The important Bushehr nuclear power plant project is seen by the Iranian government and people as a symbol of the two countries' cooperation and one of the most important issues in [the two countries'] mutual cooperation… In this regard, it is necessary that all measures and actions are taken in a bid to accelerate the small remaining issues and accomplish this project on time … Ongoing consultations between the two countries' officials promises a bright future for bilateral relations."



5. FM spokesman denies links between Iranian and North Korean missile programs – Speaking at his weekly press conference, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hassan Qashqavi denied any ties between the Iranian and North Korean missile programs, and also commented on what he defined as “the Zionist regime’s latest threats” against Iran and its nuclear program. “These threats existed in the past too, and Iran is fully prepared to defend itself against any aggression,” he said. The spokesman also rejected all talk of a meeting between former Iranian president Khatami and U.S. President Barack Obama in Turkey.



6. Ahmadinejad keen to see common regional currency – Speaking during his visit to Kazakhstan, Iran President Ahmadinejad said Tehran was interested in a comprehensive upgrade in ties with Kazakhstan in fields such as energy, joint capital investments and trade, as well as a common regional currency for trade deals among countries in the area. The Iranian president stressed the need to put an end to using the dollar in trade deals, commenting that Iran had long since ceased trading in dollars.



7. Israel

a. Israel is looking for handouts in the security field: An editorial in the Conservative-affiliated Keyhan daily comments on the new Israeli government and statements made by Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman. “Israel is now trying to prove its ability to stir up crises and thus draw attention to itself and boost the spirits of its occupying and despairing residents. Netanyahu’s government, which was formed after some delay, is trying to make up for its coalition and parliamentary weakness by making sensationalist statements. In a nutshell, Israel is very affected by its heavy failures in Lebanon and Gaza, and is in the throes of a security crisis. The most important goal of the new government is to ease the security crisis, and therefore the new Israeli environment minister has stressed that the most important thing now is to defend security.”

b. Israeli Farsi-language channels – Iran claims that “the Zionist regime” has launched seven new television channels, with subtitles in Farsi, ahead of the upcoming Iranian presidential election. According to the claims, the channels are being broadcast via the Syrus satellite and will be on the air for eight hours a day. Two of the channels carry political content, while the other five broadcast “immoral” material, the Iranians charge.



8. Click here to see Iran TV’s summary English-language news broadcast from April 6.







Domestic Affairs



9. Upcoming elections:

10. Presidential candidate Mirhoseyn Musavi at his first news conference:

a. On Khatami in his cabinet: "I am proud to have advisors such as Hashemi Rafsanjani and Khatami. And whoever becomes the president and asks for my opinion, I will be more than happy to help him… I do not dare ask Mr. Khatami to join my cabinet but will of course use his advice and expect him to help me as much as he can before the elections.

b. On the nuclear issue and his support for maintaining nuclear technology: "Our officials have repeatedly said that Iran does not intend to deviate toward a military program or threaten world peace. In the future, the issue of progressing in this technology will be important and this should be differentiated from deviating toward a military program. In general, I am in favor of maintaining nuclear technology with a peaceful nature."

c. On his foreign policy agenda: "Certain extremism and certain adventurism have harmed our foreign policy and we should put an end to those kinds of extremism... I will follow a policy of détente and will try to gain trust… We intend to avoid any thoughtless action. We should improve our diplomacy machine, emerge out of our defensive position and make our diplomacy stronger. We can revive Iran's image in the world and put an end to these problems."

d. On economic policies: "We should adopt a new approach toward the budget of the country and make a number of changes in this respect. The next step is to improve production and give hope to people, the private sector and the workforce. We should also adopt a policy that will not endanger the value of national currency and increase our control over liquidity in society. The main problems the next government will face are going to be inflation and unemployment and in order to address those problems a new approach towards the private sector should be adopted."

11. Hasan Rowhani for president? - Ali Asgari, advisor to the head of the Strategic Research Center of the Expediency Council stated in an interview with the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA): "A large number of prominent political figures have invited Dr Hasan Rowhani, head of the Strategic Research Centre of the Expediency Council and former secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, to run for president.” He added that "figures such as Dr Ali Akbar Velayati, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Mohsen Reza'i and particularly Dr Hasan Rowhani are the choices of the main supporters of Hashemi-Rafsanjani for candidacy in the presidential elections. Mr. Qalibaf has officially announced that he will not run in the election, therefore one of the remaining three will be selected… We believe that there are many people who may not vote for any of the existing candidates and the presence of one of these gentlemen will fill this gap.”



Security Affairs



12. Attitude towards U.S. – Commenting on the current U.S. situation, the commander of Iran’s Basij resistance forces, Hosseyn Taeb, said: “If the Iranian people maintain their firm stance in the face of the U.S. threats, the U.S. leaders will undoubtedly have to give in and make real and significant changes with respect to their approach to Iran. If the United States does not implement true change in its domestic and foreign policies, the rapid developments that are taking place there will bring about its downfall in the near future.”



Economic Affairs



13. Fuel imports – The CEO of the National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company has commented on plans to import 25 million liters of fuel a day during the first quarter of the year, despite a government decision to refrain from allocating subsidies for fuel importation. The CEO said a certain sum had been set aside for the purpose of purchasing fuel, adding that the budget would be financed by the sale of imported fuel at 400 toman a liter. Locally produced fuel sells at 100 toman a liter.



14. Withdrawal from Oil Stabilization Fund – During the first three quarters of the past Persian year, the Iranian government withdrew some $15.8 billion from the Oil Stabilization Fund. Around $11 billion went towards development.



15. Oil-products storage capacity – Iran has upped its oil-products storage capacity from 8.5 billion to 12 billion liters. The oil products are stored at the facilities of the National Oil Refining and Distribution Company, which is expected to further increase its storage capacity to 15.5 billion liters by the end of the year.

16. Iran's 2008 petrochemical exports exceed $7 billion: According to a report released by the National Petrochemical Company (NPC), Iran exported $7.196 billion worth of petrochemical products in the past Iranian calendar year(ended March 20). Methanol (10.945 million tons), polyethylene, liquefied natural gas and ethylene were respectively the main export-bound petrochemical products. Some 21 percent of the exports included propane and butane, 19 percent were methanol and 14 percent heavy naphtha.

17. Iran’s foreign debt – According to an announcement from the Central Bank, Iran’s foreign debt in March 2008 totaled $28.647 billion; within in nine months, however, the government managed to reduce the debt by $6 billion. Currently, Iran’s foreign debt totals $6.639 billion (short term) and $16.098 billion (medium and long term).

18. Privatization – The Petro-Iran oil company will be privatized by the end of the month, in keeping with an approval by the Privatization Organization. The chairman of the organization, Zangane, said that the move had also been sanctioned by the state accountant general and that the potential buyer had already deposited the necessary money. Petro-Iran is a main subsidiary of the National Iranian Oil Company; it was almost sold a short while ago for a sum of $110 million, but the deal was called off due to objections from the oil minister and president.

19. Banking cooperation with Brazil – Iran and Brazil have signed a cooperation agreement on the development of financial and banking ties. The signing took place during the Iran-Brazil banking and financial conference in Brasilia that was attended by high-ranking officials from both countries and Iranian Foreign Minister Manoucher Motaki.

Human Rights, Religion and Social Affairs

20. Spreading of Shia beliefs in Greece – Iran’s cultural advisor in Athens has announced an increase in Shia believers and ties to Shia beliefs in Greece. According to the advisor, some 10 percent of the Muslims in Greece are Shia, and the number is on the rise. He added that his office was making extensive efforts to promote Islamic and Shia philosophy in the country by holding seminars and religious ceremonies.

21. Doctors’ sentences upheld – The Appeals Court has approved the sentenced handed down against Iranian brothers and doctors Kamyar Alaei and Arash Alaei. The two were arrested some nine months ago in the framework of the so-called “Quiet Revolt” case and were sentenced to 6 and 3 years in jail respectively.

22. Kurdish minority – Human rights activists in the Iranian Kurdistan province have announced that the Supreme Court has retracted the death sentence handed down against Kurdish-minority human rights activist Hiva Boutimar. Official notification of the retraction has yet to be passed on to Boutimar’s lawyer and family. Boutimar was informed of the decision by prison authorities.

23. Censorship – The Alef website has criticized the censorship of the animated film Ratatouille, charging that the manner in which scenes (such as the drinking of alcohol) from the film were cut was an affront to the intelligence of the viewers. Readers of the site also slammed the censorship of “Slum Dog Millionaire,” with one writing: “Censorship of Slum Dog Millionaire was so bad that we bought the DVD in the black market in order to understand what the movie was about!"

Upcoming events:

24. Iran to host Radio Festival, May 18-19 – Around 40 countries have voiced willingness to participate in the 10th International Radio Festival and the second World Voice Conference in Tehran. Pakistan, Tajikistan, Mongolia, Syria, Iraq, India, Afghanistan, Armenia, the UK, Germany, Spain, France, the USA, The Netherlands, Austria, Sweden, China, The Philippines, Brazil, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Egypt, Mozambique, Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico will participate in the event.