MIDDLE EAST DAILY BULLETIN / GÜNLÜK ORTADOĞU BÜLTENİ 06 APRIL 2010 / 06 NİSAN 2010 TABLE OF CONTENTS / İÇİNDEKİLER

Transkript

1 MIDDLE EAST DAILY BULLETIN / GÜNLÜK ORTADOĞU BÜLTENİ 06 APRIL 2010 / 06 NİSAN 2010 TABLE OF CONTENTS / İÇİNDEKİLER 1. IRAQ / IRAK 2. IRAN / İRAN 3. ISRAEL PALESTINE / İSRAİL - FİLİSTİN 4. LEBANON / LÜBNAN 5. EGYPT / MISIR 6. SYRIA / SURİYE

2 1. IRAQ / IRAK Russia condemned on Monday the terrorist bombings that took place in the Iraqi capital yesterday. Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement there was no justification for crimes committed against civilians and foreign diplomats. The statement expressed Russia's condolences to the victims of such terrorist bombings while expressing sympathy to the injured. The terrorist attacks came at a sensitive time coinciding with efforts aimed at forming a new government following the parliamentary elections that took place March 7, it added. It pointed to Russia's firm support of efforts exerted by the Iraqi leadership to uproot terrorism. Furthermore, Turkey has strongly condemned the bombings in the Iraqi capital that left scores killed and wounded. A Foreign Ministry statement said that Turkey pins a great importance in the efforts exerted to achieve peace and stability in Iraq. (KUNA) Now that the period of expectations has ended with the announcement of the official results of the elections a few days ago, the Iraqi political stage is the scene of large moves by the forces that won the elections. Their aim is to set up future alliances in order to be able to form the next Iraqi government. Since none of the political blocs and entities secured a majority that would qualify it to form a government, the large blocs are in a pressing need to win over the parties that secured varying number of parliamentary seats in order to form the next government. The opposition Change Bloc in Kurdistan, which ran in the elections for the Iraqi House of Representatives for the first time, has now become a number in the Iraqi political equation, and it might influence the political balance in the Iraqi scene. To define this role, Al-Sharq al-awsat interviewed Leader of the Change Bloc Nushirwan Mustafa and asked him in the beginning about the bloc's stand and conditions to establish political alliances in the future. He replied: "We have no prior stand toward any party that participated in the political process and won in the general elections, regardless of the number of seats that it secured in the House of Representatives, many or few." He added: "With regard to conditions, we also have no preconditions for dialogue and for joint action with any party inside the parliament, except the condition that

3 the higher national interest of the Iraqi people must be given preference over the interests of any faction, sect, or political party and that the multiparty democratic federal parliamentary regime must be preserved." Asked on the forces, which his movement considers closer to it in terms of their political views and stands, the forces on which his movement can depend and with which it can establish an alliance, Nushirwan Mustafa said: "We do not form our stands on the basis of the political programs and slogans that were promoted during election campaigns. Rather, we will base our stands on the key points, which the next coalition government will adopt in its ministerial program and on the extent to which this program will serve the interest of the Iraqi people." In light of the Kurdistan Alliance's concerns that some Iraqi political forces might try to weaken the Kurds' role in Baghdad and the alliance leaders' assertion of the national constants, Al-Sharq al-awsat asked Nushirwan Mustafa whether they will cooperate with the Kurdistan Alliance on future issues and on their conditions for cooperation with that alliance. He replied: "There are outstanding problems between the Kurdistan Region Government and the central government. We inherited some of these problems from previous governments. These problems date back to the time before the downfall of the former regime, and some of them developed after the downfall of the regime." He noted: "These problems need to be resolved in order to allow the central government to devote its attention to more important issues related to the building of the institutions of the new Iraqi state, so that Iraq may be powerful both at home and in the region." He added: "As for our vision of a resolution to these problems, it differs in some ways from that of the Kurdistan Alliance. That is why we ran in the elections on an independent list." Nushirwan Mustafa said: "There is another point regarding this issue. The Kurdistan Alliance is in charge of authority in the Kurdistan Region. During the last two elections, the elections for the Kurdistan parliament in July last year and the March elections for the Iraqi Parliament, this authority harmed the people who voted for the Change List. It sacked hundreds of employees of the interior ministry, the Peshmerga, and the border forces, while the education ministry transferred hundreds of teachers for political reasons." He added: "We openly informed them that we cannot cooperate with them in Baghdad at a time when they fight our supporters in Kurdistan. With regard to the

4 raised concerns, I believe that there is no split in the Kurdish rank. Rather, there is a difference in the political vision of problems and solutions." He continued: "The Kurds in Iraq do not derive their strength from the number of their seats in the Iraqi Parliament, but rather from the fact that they are a key component of the Iraqi state." He noted: "There is a national role and elections. Elections might contribute to lessening or sidelining the Kurds' role in securing ministerial posts. However, the elections will not affect their national role in the process of building the Iraqi state and its institutions." In reply to a question on the Change Bloc's readiness to participate in the next government and its conditions in this respect, the leader of the Change Bloc said: "If the next government's ministerial program is close to our political program, we will participate in it. We consider our participation and the Kurds' participation in the next government important for both us and the Iraqi Government. Our condition is that the next government's program must be in line with our political program as the Change Bloc." Concluding his interview, Nushirwan Mustafa said: "The latest elections were an important step toward consolidating the democratic process in Iraq. We believe that holding elections, even if they are married by forgery, is better than not holding them." (Al-Sharq al-awsat) The head of the Supreme Iraqi Islamic Council, Ammar al-hakim, discussed on Monday with a delegation from al-iraqiya List the latest political developments, according to an official statement. "Al-Hakim and the delegation, led by Salam al-zawbaie, also discussed the ongoing talks among political blocs to reach to a joint vision regarding the coming stage," said the statement received by Aswat al-iraq news agency. "These talks will help forming a real partnership government represents the Iraqi people will," the statement added. (Aswat al-iraq) Iraqi Vice President Tareq al-hashemis visit to Qatar comes within efforts made to boost mutual cooperation, the spokesman for al-hashemi said on Monday. "The visit comes within al-iraqiya Lists activities to communicate with regional and friendly countries," Abelelah Kadhem told Aswat al-iraq news agency.

5 "The delegation includes a number of advisors," he added, noting that the two-day visit is the first of the tour that will take him to a number of Arab countries. (Aswat al-iraq) The Special Representative of the United Nations-Secretary General for Iraq (SRSG) Ad Melkert strongly condemned the series of bombings that struck Baghdad yesterday killing dozens of innocent civilians and injuring many more, according to an official statement. "Melkert described the bombings as, 'a senseless crime that targeted civilians and diplomats in Baghdad." Amongst those killed was an Iraqi United Nations staff member, working for the World Health Organization along with her 20 year old son. The SRSG urges all communities to work towards further strengthening national reconciliation as the best approach to serve the interests of the overwhelming majority of Iraqis that are committed to peace, fundamental rights, and strive for democracy. Melkert expressed the United Nations sorrow and sincere condolences to the bereaved families and its wishes for full and speedy recovery for the wounded. (Aswat al-iraq) Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah sent a letter of condolences to Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zerbari in regards to the victims of the recent bombings against diplomatic missions in Baghdad. In the letter, Sheikh Mohammad expressed his sorrow over the loss of lives during the bombings of diplomatic missions in the Iraqi capital, affirming that Kuwait would be supporting and standing with the Iraqi people. He said that the attacks were aimed at unsettling the democratic and security achievements in Iraq, stressing that Kuwait would not accept such attempts to demolish what was achieved in neighboring Iraq. (KUNA) Ambassador Christopher Hill tells journalists in a video conference that he expects an alliance to form the government to be finalized by late April. Regarding JAC decisions to disqualify six newly elected MPs, Ambassador Hill referred to statements by the UN noting that such issues can be settled through the country s legal system. The Ambassador described Iraqi elections as historic, adding that he shares the Iraqi

6 people s hopes in seeing the next government achieve progress in the economy and invest in the country s natural resources, and expressed his personal hope for Iraq s developing relations with neighboring countries. (Al-Mada) Sotaliraq reported that the monthly salary of Prime Minister Maliki was $2 million dollars, noting that the salary of the U.S. President Barak Obama is $48,000 dollars according to the French L Express report. (Sotaliraq) Head of Al-Iraqiya List Iyad Allawi said that recent Iraqi elections were a success compared to previous elections, noting that Iraq's stability will be achieved by removing occupational forces, the readiness of Iraq s forces and genuine national reconciliation. (Iraq News Agency) Leading figures in the State of Law Coalition, led by Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al- Maliki, deny the existence of splits that might cause the coalition to disintegrate. However, informed private sources told Al-Sharq al-awsat that more than two important figures in the State of Law Coalition have harbored intentions to withdraw from the coalition because they became sure that they will not get any posts in the next government because the coalition will not be the main player in the formation of the next government. The sources affirmed to Al-Sharq al-awsat that the Iraqi List [also known as Al- Iraqiyah], led by former Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, succeeded to a great extent in negotiating with other blocs, including the Kurdish groups. The sources added that Rafi al-issawi, chief negotiator in the Allawi list, played a large role in making these negotiations successful. The sources noted that the negotiations are currently taking place in favor of the Iraqi List. The same sources said that the insistence by outgoing Al-Maliki on serving a second term as prime minister has greatly weakened his position in the ongoing negotiations with other blocs. The sources that asked not to be named said: "The figures who will announce their withdrawal from the State of Law Coalition will either join other groups or stand as independent in the hope of securing posts as independent MPs." The Al-Iraqiyah List, led by Allawi, won in the legislative elections that were held on the 7th of the past month. It secured 91 seats in the parliament while the State of Law Coalition, led by Al-Maliki, won 89 seats. The two groups are competing to establish alliances to form a majority in the parliament and, in turn, form the next government.

7 For his part, Khalid al-asadi, a leading figure in the State of Law Coalition, denied that splits happened because some political parties insist on including the Allawi list in the next government. He told Al-Sharq al-awsat: "A great deal of discussions takes place within the State of Law Coalition on the ongoing political moves to form a government. But this does not necessarily mean that such discussions will lead to splits within the coalition." He added: "We said earlier that we have no problem with all the political parties. We are keen to include them in the process. We will work to include all parties in the next government." It is recalled that the call by Ammar al-hakim, leader of the Iraqi Islamic Supreme Council, to include the Iraqi List in the next government drew varying reactions from the parties that have reservations about the inclusion of Allawi and his list. After his meeting with Al-Maliki on Wednesday evening, Al-Hakim said: "We will not join a future government that will not include the Iraqi List." He added: "Exclusion of the Iraqi List will mean exclusion of an important section of the Iraqi people." He was referring to the Sunni Arabs. Asked whether the State of Law Coalition will deal with the Al-Iraqiyah, based on the latest situation, Al-Asadi said: "Our dealing with the Al-Iraqiyah is different because there is a plan adopted by some regional states, which seek to impose their agendas on the political process in Iraq. We reject this plan and will not deal with it." However, he added: "The Sunnis, whether those who are members of the Iraqi List or members of other lists, will participate in the next government." He continued: "Talks were held with some figures in the Al-Iraqiyah. At the same time, however, we rule out the possibility of an alliance with the Al-Iraqiyah List as a whole." In reply to a question as to whether Allawi set up an alliance through which he can form the next government, Al-Asadi said: "The next government cannot be formed without the two coalitions (the Iraqi National Alliance and the State of Law Coalition). This is a settled issue for the two groups." He added: "The question at present is whether the Al-Iraqiyah will participate in the government or not. We have informed the National Alliance that we will include the Sunnis in the political process on the grounds that they are indispensable."

8 Meanwhile, the vice president of the republic who is a leading member of the Iraqi List reiterated that, under the constitution, the Al-Iraqiyah is authorized to form a government because it secured the largest number of seats in the elections that were held on the 7th of the past month. Al-Hashemi said in press statements: "The Iraqi List is open to all parties. It is the Iraqi List that will lead the task of forming the next government. This is an undisputed outcome of the elections." Al-Hashemi described as "useful" the referendum, which the Al-Sadr Trend is holding on the candidate to head the government. However, he said that it is not binding on any party. Al-Hashemi asked why the candidates who are mentioned in the referendum belong to one particular sect. On a separate issue, Al-Hashemi reiterated his stand on the federal court. He said it is not legally authorized to decide on constitutional disagreements. (Al-Sharq al-awsat) Iraq is like a man targeted by many forces which have agreed to kidnap and torture him by using all forms of violence, considering the enmity between Iran, America and al-qaeda members outside the country. Over the last seven years, it seems these forces have been conniving to kill the Iraqis and seize their wealth. Sadly some Iraqis have been helping these forces to realize their objectives, not to mention the destructive groups that wreaked havoc in the country, which suffered tremendously under the worst dictator in the world. Considering these circumstances, the recently -- concluded election in Iraq was a defining moment for the Iraqis. The Arab, regional and international communities must comprehend this historic success to recognize the directions of not only Iraq, but Arabs in general. For the last seven years, we have realized the gravity of the situation in Iraq, including the geographical and sectarian issues in the region. These issues are like ticking bombs that can blow up the Middle East and lead to a chain of violent incidents. The recent victory of the 'Iraqi List', which won the highest parliamentary seats, implies that the Iraqis chose stability over violence. This election defines the future of Iraq. Many Iraqis have been dreaming of participating in the democratic practice in the interest of their country. This came at a time when indications of a regional war

9 emerged due to the stubbornness of Iran, which seems keen on pressing ahead with its nuclear plans despite the outright rejection of the international community. Several countries in the region have expressed concern over the persistence of Iran to implement its nuclear program, while Iraq is waiting for the departure of the US forces and grappling with its economic problems. It is now time for Iraq to take a break from the dictatorship and security issues, such as sectarian violence and formation of a modern government. The country needs to be free from the claws of a remote-controlled regional power. This is what the Iraqi voters expressed to end the violence that paralyzed the country and killed many innocent people. Iyad Allawi should meet the expectations of his compatriots. He has rejected sectarian differences, as well as attempts of Iran to control the future of his country. He has established good relations in the Arab world as part of his commitment for Iraq to regain its identity. The recent Iraqi election is different from those held in the Arab world over the last decades. Through this election, the Iraqis took a decisive step after suffering from different forms of torture and terrorist acts like killing sprees and ethnic cleansing for several decades. Iraqis have paid a high price for the bloody fighting, which has been negatively affecting the country until now. This war led the country into a circle of political powers and sectarian violence until it became the biggest loser in the world. Ordinary Iraqi citizens have chosen the Iraqi List as they believe in its ability to find appropriate solutions to their problems, regain their identity and put national interest above everything. Iraqis might face difficulties due to the persistence of Iran to remain in control of the country through the assistance of its local cohorts, which have threatened to carry out violent acts unless their demand to hold another election is met. This only proves the presence of destructive groups that do not want Iraqis to live in peace. Iraqis have been trying to get out of the 'circles' drawn by the Iranian intelligence in Tehran for Iraq. The Iranian intelligence planted bombs during the Iraqi election. However after the announcement of the victory of the Iraqi List, the Iranian intelligence realized its operations in Iraq are about to end. Iraqis voted for the candidate who, they believe, will lead the country towards a brighter future, build a modern government away from sectarianism, reject Iranian plans, and regain the Arab identity of Iraq. (Arab Times)

10 Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-maliki, the commander-in-chief of the Iraqi armed forces, on Sunday presided over a meeting of the national Security Council to discuss developments in Iraq, namely the blasts that ripped through Baghdad today. A series of bombing attacks targeted diplomatic missions in Iraq including the German embassy and the Egyptian consulate in al-mansour neighborhood and the Iranian embassy in al-salihiyah. Security sources said that 30 were killed and 168 others wounded in a recent count of casualties. Earlier, a release by the Iraqi foreign ministry said that several policemen guarding these buildings were killed or wounded but none of diplomats were harmed save slight injuries of three members of the Egyptian mission. The Egyptian mission had re-started its work in November 2009 under Ambassador Kamal Shaheen, who had been appointed by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to Iraq four years after charge D Affaires Ahab al-sheriff was kidnapped and killed in Baghdad in A statement issued after Maliki s meeting said that the prime minister also discuss a terrorist assault on the city of Hor Rajab, south of Baghdad, which left a number of Sahwa (awakening) tribal fighters killed, as well as the escape of a number of terrorists from al-ghizlani jail in Mosul city. Maj. General Qassim Atta, the official spokesman for the Baghdad Operations Command (BOC), had said on Saturday that the Hor Rajab attack left 24 civilians killed. (Aswat al-iraq) A spokesperson for the outgoing Iraqi government said that the cabinet had approved a draft law on Iraq's succession to the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism. "The approval is in agreement with the government's approach to contain possible damage resulting from nuclear terrorism and its consequences," Ali al-dabbagh said in a statement received by Aswat al-iraq news agency. Dabbagh added that such conventions would help ensure the safety of society. (Aswat al-iraq)

11 2. IRAN / İRAN Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told French newspaper Le Figaro in an interview published on Tuesday that the crisis over Iran's nuclear program should be settled through diplomacy. Several countries have been speaking in terms of sanctions, Erdogan said, adding that he did not think this was the way to get results. Sanctions have already been voted through twice before, but those who decided to apply them also been the first to violate them, he said, in reference to France, Germany, Britain, US and China. However, he did not elaborate further. Iranian Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani has replied to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad s letter about the revision of the subsidy reform plan, which was passed by the parliament just before the Iranian New Year (started March 21). Although the Majlis believes that the approved plan will minimize inflationary effects, it is ready to reconsider the expert views of the administration s officials, Larijani wrote in the letter. But to clarify the issue, the administration should first announce its forecasts for the inflation rate, economic growth, and the price of fuels if the administration s proposed plan is completely approved, he added. The Majlis is opposed to a plan that will cause a jump in prices and will put people under pressure, he said, adding that the abrupt elimination of subsidies will also increase worries about inflation, which in turn will intensify the inflation rate, which is a fact that the administration has overlooked. The implementation of the subsidy reform plan is a sensitive issue and if it is carried out carelessly and hastily, it will only add to the problems the people are facing and lead to rampant inflation and uncontrolled importation, he stated. That is why the Majlis has decided that the plan should be implemented over a longer period of time and in five stages, he explained. The Majlis has made the utmost efforts to cooperate with the administration and has given the administration a freer hand than what is normal to decide how to spend the savings from the elimination of subsidies, the parliament speaker opined. Elsewhere in the letter, Larijani criticized Ahmadinejad s proposal to hold a referendum to determine the people s opinion on the issue. It is not becoming

12 behavior in the Islamic system for the executive branch of the government to say it will not implement the law after it has been ratified by the parliament, he added. In a letter to Larijani earlier this week, Ahmadinejad said that the administration is determined to implement the plan and has accepted this heavy responsibility, but the plan ratified by the Majlis has fundamental problems, making it difficult to implement. The administration says it will not be able to compensate low-income families for the inflationary effects of the implementation of the plan unless the parliament doubles the administration s revenues from the subsidy elimination savings from $20 billion to $40 billion. (TehranTimes) Lawmakers sitting on the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee will soon inspect the Bushehr nuclear power plant to get first hand information about the process of work in the plant, committee chairman Alaeddin Boroujerdi said on Monday. We as members of the national security committee visit the Bushehr nuclear plant to get precise information about the process of the work, Boroujerdi said. After several delays, Russia announced last year that the plant will be launched in the spring of the current year. However, the Russian side has again revised the date, announcing it will go on stream by the end of summer. Reports are contradictory, Boroujerdi told the Mehr News Agency. On attempts by the U.S. to approve another sanctions resolution against Iran at the Security Council, the senior lawmaker said he doubted the U.S. would succeed to win a consensus on Iran. He said Iran has come under an unjust pressure in contravention to international law. However, he said, Iran will continue its commitment to the agency (IAEA) regulations as a permanent policy. On Sunday, Boroujerdi said Iran is not worried about the possibility of a new resolution against the country. If a new resolution is adopted against Iran, it will only add to the number of resolutions already adopted and nothing significant will happen, Boroujerdi noted.

13 He stated that Iran is not prepared to forfeit its rights, which are based on international law. (TehranTimes) Russia still hopes for a diplomatic solution to the standoff over Iran's nuclear program, a deputy foreign minister said Monday, as the West steps up pressure for new sanctions against Tehran. "We still have not lost hope for a solution to the Iranian nuclear problem through dialogue with Iran,"" Sergei Ryabkov, Russia's point man on Iran nuclear talks, told the Interfax news agency. ""Nothing is happening today which would give grounds to talk of a 'new page' or a 'new chapter'. Normal discussions are going on, as they have always been and will be,"" he was quoted as saying. The five permanent UN Security Council members -- Russia, Britain, China, France and the United States -- plus Germany have been involved in talks with Iran for months to try to end the nuclear standoff. Moscow, which has close diplomatic and trade relations with Tehran, has been reluctant to agree to new sanctions but has taken a harder line on Iran in recent weeks. Russia has also said it will go ahead with the launch of Tehran's first nuclear power station, which it has helped build in the southern city of Bushehr since the mid- 1990s. Tehran says its nuclear drive is purely for civilian energy purposes, and that it has the right to nuclear technology. (TehranTimes) Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has called on the loyalists of the Islamic Republic to close their hearts. I am worried about the distance of the hearts of the loyalists of the system, Rafsanjani said in a meeting on Monday with some current and former MPs, former governors and ministry officials. He said Iran can be the center of stability in the region if we get united with each other. Rafsanjani, who heads both the Expediency Council and the Assembly of Experts, said healing the rifts, which surfaced after the June presidential election, is his main recommendation to political activists.

14 In regard to local and foreign situations the protection of the system of the Islamic Republic is highly important. And in the new year we need to build confidence in the country s political environment. He also referred to the subsidy reform plan, saying reforming subsidy system is in the interest of the country but it should be implemented with full care. A surgery of subsidies is essential but it should be implemented in a way not to cause dissatisfaction among people. In this meeting a number of persons including former energy minister Habibollah Bitaraf, former MP Majid Ansari, city councilor Mohammad Ali Najafi, MPs Mohammd Reza Tabesh and Mostafa Kavakebian presented their views about the country s political, economic, and cultural issues, the process of work in the Majlis as well as the subsidy reform plan. In a similar meeting on Sunday a number of Expediency Council officials including the council s secretary Mohsen Rezai and chairmen of the council s commissions held a meeting with Rafsanjani. Last week some Friday prayer leaders and Assembly of Experts and Expediency Council also held a meeting with Rafsanjani. (TehranTimes) Iranian Oil Minister Masoud Mirkazemi stated all phases of the South Pars gas field will come on stream by According to Iran's fifth five-year socio-economic development plan ( ), annually $25 billion should be invested in the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry, the Mehr News Agency quoted Mirkazemi as saying on Monday. Development of oil and gas fields which are associated with the Persian Gulf states, Iraq, and Turkmenistan is a priority of the ministry, he added. He went on to note that Iran s oil and gas production capacity are to reach over 5 million barrels and 900 million cubic meters per day, respectively. South Pars field is a gas condensate field located in the Persian Gulf. It is the world s largest gas field, shared between Iran and Qatar. Iran, having the world s second largest gas reserves and third largest oil reserves, is trying to play a more active role in oil and petrochemical transactions in international markets. (TehranTimes)

15 A Pakistani lawmaker on Monday blamed terrorist attacks in his country on Islamabad's compliance with the United States' wrong policies, and asked Pakistani officials to distance themselves from Washington. "The government of Pakistan should distance itself from the US policies if it is after economic and cultural advancement, otherwise we will witness more problems for Pakistan in a not far future," member of Pakistan's National Assembly Ahsan Iqbal said in an interview with FNA. "Our economy and culture will not progress while the government supports the United States' policies in the region," Iqbal, who is also the Chief Spokesman of Pakistan Muslim League-N, added. Iqbal further pointed to the US conditions in the region, and said, "Hatred for the US is on a daily increase all across the world, particularly in Pakistan." The comments by the Pakistani lawmaker came as militants attacked a US consulate in northwest Pakistan with car bombs and grenades on Monday, killing three people. The assaults illustrated the resilience of militants in the country despite intense army operations and US missile strikes in their northwestern havens near Afghanistan. (FarsNewsAgency) Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei on Monday urged Iran's three branches of power to maintain unity and solidarity, specially when adopting great and sensitive decisions. Addressing a meeting with a large number of Islamic Republic officials from the legislative, executive and judiciary powers here in Tehran at midday, the Supreme Leader reiterated the importance of unity in decision-making and action. "The three branches of power should be watchful to maintain unity in adopting great decisions," he said. Elsewhere, the Leader noted the country's several-staged 20-year envision plan, and said the country can attain the goals envisioned in the plan in light of doubled work and endeavor. "We can attain the goals of the envision plan and even move beyond them if only we double our endeavor," he said at the meeting attended by the first deputy heads of the three branches of power, secretary of the Expediency Council (EC), Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), secretary of the Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution, secretary and members of the Guardians Council (GC), members of the Judiciary Council (JC), cabinet members and a number of the parliament

16 representatives. Earlier, Ayatollah Khamenei, in a message released on the occasion of the Iranian new year, called on the Iranian people to double their efforts to accelerate the country's progress. In a nationwide address on the state-run TV, the Supreme Leader said, "I designate the new year as the year of 'Double Endeavor and Double Work' in the hope that the dear and great Iranian nation and officials in different sectors will, in the year 1389 (March 21, 2010-March 20, 2011), take more giant strides and make more efforts and endeavors to get closer to their big goals." (FarsNewsAgency) Iranian Oil Minister Seyed Masoud Mir-Kazzemi is slated to take part in the upcoming meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum in Algeria later this month, a senior Iranian oil official announced on Monday. "Concurrent with the meeting of the ministers of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) in Oran, Algeria, in which Seyed Masoud Mir-Kazzemi will take part, the largest conference and exhibition of LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) will be held on the sidelines of the mentioned forum," Iran's Governor at the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Mohammad Ali Khatibi added in an interview with FNA. He added that the forum in the Western Algerian city of Oran on April 19 is aimed at reviewing the issues discussed by the executive committee as well as the latest developments in the gas market. The Iranian official further said that participation of over 3,000 experts in the LNG conference could be deemed as an emphasis on the value of the gas industry. Noting debates and discussions over a proper gas-pricing formula, Khatibi reminded that at present the price of gas is calculated on the basis of oil price, and said many experts believe that the present formula should be abandoned and the link between gas and oil prices should be cut. Iran, Algeria, Bolivia, Brunei, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Qatar, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago, the UAE and Venezuela are members of the organization. The gas cartel is still officially known as the Gas Forum, but major exporters Iran and

17 Russia last year started a move to change the body into an OPEC like organization called the Organization of Gas Exporting Countries (OGEC). Iran, Russia, Qatar, Venezuela and Algeria are among the GECF's member states which possess 42% of the world's gas reserves. (FarsNewsAgency) İran Ulusal Nükleer Teknoloji Günü şenliğinin önümüzdeki 09 Nisan Cuma günü düzenleneceği bildirildi. Mehr haber ajansının bildirdiğine göre, İran Atom Enerjisi Kurumu Ali Ekber Salihi, 09 Nisan Cuma gününde düzenlenecek kutlamalarda İran İslam Cumhuriyeti Cumhurbaşkanı Dr. Ahmedinejad ın İran milletine iyi haberler vereceğini açıkladı. Cumhurbaşkanı Ahmedinejad ve Atom Enerji Teşkilatı Başkanı Ali Ekber Salihi nin düzenlenecek kutlama merasiminde birer konuşma yapmaları bekleniyor. Bu merasimde devlet yetkilileri, Anayasayı Koruma Konseyi üyeleri, hükümet yetkilileri, İslami Şura Meclisi Temsilcileri, nükleer enerji alanı bilim adamları ve Yabancı ülke Temsilcileri de bulunacaklar. (MehrNews) İran İslam Cumhuriyeti Emniyeti Uyuşturucuyla Mücadele (NACA) güçleri Başkanı Hamid Rıza Hüseyinabadi, İran ve Türkiye nin güvenlik güçlerinin işbirliğiyle beş büyük uyuşturucu çetesi çökertildiğinin haberini verdi. Mehr haber ajansının bildirdiğine göre, dün Pazartesi düzenlenen 3.İran-Türkiye Uyuşturucuyla Mücadele oturumunda konuşma yapan Hamid Rıza Hüseyinabadi, iki ülke arasında yapılan en son oturumlarda uyuşturucuyla mücadele konusunda çok iyi anlaşmalara imza atıldığını, bu bağlamda ise uyuşturucu kaçakçılık şebekeleriyle mücadelede önemli adımlar atıldığını söyledi. İran İslam Cumhuriyeti Emniyeti Uyuşturucuyla Mücadele (NACA) güçleri Başkanı, dünyanın en büyük uyuşturucu üreticisi olan Afganistan a komşu olan İran ve Türkiye nin bu konudan en çok zarar gören ülkeler olduklarına dikkat çekti. Hamid Rıza Hüseyinabadi, İran ve Türkiye üzerinden yapılan uyuşturucu madde transiti çok önemli bir konu olduğunu belirterek, uluslararası kaçakçılık şebekeleriyle mücadeledeki iki ülkenin amaçları ortak olduğunun altını çizdi. Hüseynabadi ayrıca, yapılan 3. Oturumda PKK, PJAK ve organize suçlarla mücadele gibi konular üzerinde de görüş birliğine varıldığını konuşmasına ekledi.

18 İran İslam Cumhuriyeti Emniyeti Uyuşturucuyla Mücadele (NACA) güçleri Başkanı Hamid Rıza Hüseyinabadi, İranve Türkiye nin güvenlik güçlerinin işbirliğiyle beş büyük uyuşturucu çetesi çökertildiğinin haberini verdi. (MehrNews) İslam İnkılabı Rehberi dün öğleden sonra bakanlar kurulu, meclis başkanlık heyeti, meclis komisyonları başkanları, yüksek yargı yetkilileri, anayasayı koruma ve kollama konseyi sekreteri ve konseyin yargı üyelerini kabul etti. İslam İnkılabı Rehberi Ayetullah Seyyid Ali Hamanei dün öğleden sonra bakanlar kurulu, meclis başkanlık heyeti, meclis komisyonları başkanları, yüksek yargı yetkilileri, anayasayı koruma ve kollama konseyi sekreteri ve konseyin yargı üyelerini kabulünde ülkenin ileriye dönük hareketinde yetkililerin birlik ve bütünlüğünün korunması zaruretini vurgulayarak, "yetkililer, muhtelif birimlerde ülkenin eşsiz ve çok büyük maddi ve manevi kapasitesini tanıyarak sahih bir şekilde kullanmakla, daha fazla çaba ve çalışmayla ülkenin 20 yıllık kalkınma planındaki hedefleri ve hatta daha ötesini gerçekleştirmek için kendi tüm imkanlarını kullanmalıdırlar" dedi. Hicri-i Şemsi yeni yılı ve Nevruz'u tekrar tebrikte bulunan ve daha mutlu bir yıl temenni eden İslam İnkılâbı Rehberi şöyle dedi: "Yeni yılın mübarek olması şuna bağlıdır ki yetkililer amaçlı ve gayeli çabalarıyla, çaba ve çalışmanın hiçbir ölçüsüyle yetinmeyerek güzel ve mümin İran halkına ilahi bereketlerin daha fazla nazil olması için çalışmalıdırlar." Ayetullah Hamanei konuşmasının bir başka bölümünde ise ülkenin mevcut kapasite ve yeteneklerinin, keşfedilmemiş veya yarı istihraç edilmiş madenlere benzediğini hatırlatarak, özellikle ekonomi alanında ülkenin kapasitesinin çok yüksek olduğunu, bilimsel alanlarda da kapasitelerin hayretlere vesile olduğunu söyledi. İslam İnkılâbı Rehberi konuşmasının devamında kültürel alanlardaki üstün potansiyele temasla başka alanlarda da büyük potansiyellerin bulunduğuna dikkat çekerek teknoloji alanlarında ülkenin tasavvur olunamayacak boyutlarda çok büyük olduğunu ve büyük işlere gerekli ortam hazırladığını hatırlattı. Kapasitelerin tanımı ve kullanımı konusunda zirveye doğru hareket olunması ve vasat bir ölçüyle yetinilmemesi gerektiğini belirten Ayetullah Hamanei, "mevcut potansiyellerin kullanılması için kendi tüm çabamızı kullanmayacak olursak kendi görevimizi yerine getirmemiş oluruz ve bu ise her kes hakkında bir zulümdür" dedi. İslam İnkılâbı rehberi konuşmasının bir başka bölümünde ise halka hizmet ve sahnede hazır olunması gerektiği dönemlerde hazır olmanın ilahi işler olduğunu belirterek şöyle dedi: "Asrı Saadet döneminde Hz. Resulullah (sav)in sahabesinden bazılarının

19 büyük övgüler kazanmasının tek sebebi daha fazla namaz, dua ve ibadet değildi. Bilakis sahih siyasi tavırları, çaba ve cihadlarıydı. Yine Asrı Saadet döneminde sahabelerden bazılarının eleştirilmesi de günah işledikleri veya muharrematı (haram kılınanları) yerine getirdikleri için değildi, bilakis huzurlarına gerek duyulduğu anlar hazır olmamalarından dolayıydı." Ayetullah Hamanei konuşmasına devamla ülkenin ileriye dönük hareketinde yetkililerin bütünlük ve birlikteliğinin korunmasının çok önemli olduğunu belirterek, "yetkililerin birlikteliğinden gaye görüş ve zevk farklılıklarının göz ardı edilmesi değil, zira zevk farklılıkları, bilimsel ve uzmansal mevzuat işlerde ilerlemeye sebep olmaktadır, ancak bu görüş farklılıkları, ülke hareketinin durmasına veya fertlerin hareketinde ayrılığa sebep olmaması gerekir" dedi. Tüm yetkililer özellikle yargı, yasama ve yürütme gücü yetkililerinin büyük kararlar alımında dayanışma ve birlik içinde olmaları zaruretini hatırlatan İslam İnkılabı Rehberi, "mevcut şartlarda ülke, beşinci kalkınma planı ile yüzyüzedir ve bu plan yetkililerin omzuna büyük sorumluluklar yüklemiştir. Bu planların hayata geçirilmesi dayanışma ve birlikteliği gerektirir" dedi. Ayetullah Hamanei ülkenin 20 yıllık kalkınma stratejisi hedeflerinin tahakkukunu, yargı, yasama ve yürütme organlarının en kritik ortak vazifesi olarak hatırlatarak, "şu anda planın bazı bölümlerinde belirlenen zaman diliminden öndeyiz, bazı bölümlerinde ise gerekli hareket ve atılım mevcut değil. Bunun için daha fazla bir çaba gösterilmeli ki kalkınma planı hedeflerinden ileride hareket edebilelim" dedi. Toplumda çalışma ve çaba kültürünün yaygınlaştırılması zaruretini vurgulayan İslam İnkılabı Rehberi Ayetullah Hamanei şöyle dedi: "Temennim odur ki hükümetle meclis arasında istenilen tevafuk sağlanmış olur ve sübvansiyonların hedeflendirilmesi kanununun uygulanmasıyla halk, sorumluların tedbir ve çabalarının tadını alırlar." Kültürel meselelerin de özel önem taşıdığını hatırlatan İslam İnkılâbı rehberi halkın hayatında genel kültür ve dini görünümün tahakkukunun büyük önem taşıdığını ve ona gereken ilginin gösterilmesinin şart olduğunu belirtti. Ayetullah Hamanei İslam nizamında sorumluluğun kritik ve ağır olduğunu belirterek, "yetkililer şunu bilmeliler ki görev başında oldukları her lahzadan öteki dünyada sorulacak. Bu bakımdan Allah indinde gerekli cevabı verecek şekilde amelde bulunmalıyız" dedi. Ayetullah Hamanei, dünya hayatından, dünyadaki çaba ve çalışmadan asıl amacın ölüm sonrası beşerin gerçek saadet ve kurtuluşu olduğunu belirterek, sorumluları

20 Allah Taala ile irtibat ve menus olma ve Kur'anı Kerim üzerinde daha fazla tefekkür etme hususunda daha fazla çaba göstermeye tavsiye etti. İslam İnkılâbı Rehberi konuşmasının bir diğer bölümünde ise bayram günleri ve Nevruz seyahatleri esnasında halkın refah, mutluluk ve güven içinde olduklarına dikkat çekerek ilgili tüm yetkililer ve organların gösterdikleri çaba ve hizmetlerden dolayı teşekkürlerini bildirdi. (MehrNews) İslam İnkılabı Rehberi Ayetullah Seyyid Ali Hamanei, farklılıkların ilerlemeye katkıda bulunabileceğini söyledi.ayetullah Seyyid Ali Hamanei bakanlar kurulu, meclis başkanlık heyeti, meclis komisyonları başkanları, yüksek yargı yetkilileri, anayasayı koruyucular konseyi Genel Sekreteri ve konseyin üyelerini kabulünde ülkenin ileriye dönük hareketinde yetkililerin birlik ve bütünlüğünün korunması zaruretini vurgulayarak, "yetkililer, muhtelif birimlerde ülkenin eşsiz ve çok büyük maddi ve manevi kapasitesini tanıyarak sahih bir şekilde kullanmakla, daha fazla çaba ve çalışmayla ülkenin 20 yıllık kalkınma planındaki hedefleri ve hatta daha ötesini gerçekleştirmek için kendi tüm imkanlarını kullanmalıdırlar" dedi Hicri-i Şemsi yeni yılı ve Nevruz'u tekrar tebrikte bulunan ve daha mutlu bir yıl temenni eden İslam İnkılâbı Rehberi şöyle dedi: "Yeni yılın mübarek olması şuna bağlıdır ki yetkililer amaçlı ve gayeli çabalarıyla, çaba ve çalışmanın hiçbir ölçüsüyle yetinmeyerek güzel ve mümin İran halkına ilahi bereketlerin daha fazla nazil olması için çalışmalıdırlar." Ayetullah Hamanei konuşmasının bir başka bölümünde ise ülkenin mevcut kapasite ve yeteneklerinin, keşfedilmemiş veya yarı istihraç edilmiş madenlere benzediğini hatırlatarak, özellikle ekonomi alanında ülkenin kapasitesinin çok yüksek olduğunu, bilimsel alanlarda da kapasitelerin hayretlere vesile olduğunu söyledi. İslam İnkılâbı Rehberi konuşmasının devamında kültürel alanlardaki üstün potansiyele temasla başka alanlarda da büyük potansiyellerin bulunduğuna dikkat çekerek teknoloji alanlarında ülkenin tasavvur olunamayacak boyutlarda çok büyük olduğunu ve büyük işlere gerekli ortam hazırladığını hatırlattı. Kapasitelerin tanımı ve kullanımı konusunda zirveye doğru hareket olunması ve vasat bir ölçüyle yetinilmemesi gerektiğini belirten Ayetullah Hamanei, "mevcut potansiyellerin kullanılması için kendi tüm çabamızı kullanmayacak olursak kendi görevimizi yerine getirmemiş oluruz ve bu ise her kes hakkında bir zulümdür" dedi. İslam İnkılâbı rehberi konuşmasının bir başka bölümünde ise halka hizmet ve sahnede hazır olunması gerektiği dönemlerde hazır olmanın ilahi işler olduğunu belirterek şöyle dedi: "Asrı Saadet döneminde Hz. Resulullah (sav)in sahabesinden bazılarının

21 büyük övgüler kazanmasının tek sebebi daha fazla namaz, dua ve ibadet değildi. Bilakis sahih siyasi tavırları, çaba ve cihadlarıydı. Yine Asrı Saadet döneminde sahabelerden bazılarının eleştirilmesi de günah işledikleri veya muharrematı (haram kılınanları) yerine getirdikleri için değildi, bilakis huzurlarına gerek duyulduğu anlar hazır olmamalarından dolayıydı." Ayetullah Hamanei konuşmasına devamla ülkenin ileriye dönük hareketinde yetkililerin bütünlük ve birlikteliğinin korunmasının çok önemli olduğunu belirterek, "yetkililerin birlikteliğinden gaye görüş ve zevk farklılıklarının göz ardı edilmesi değil, zira zevk farklılıkları, bilimsel ve uzmansal mevzuat işlerde ilerlemeye sebep olmaktadır, ancak bu görüş farklılıkları, ülke hareketinin durmasına veya fertlerin hareketinde ayrılığa sebep olmaması gerekir" dedi. Tüm yetkililer özellikle yargı, yasama ve yürütme gücü yetkililerinin büyük kararlar alımında dayanışma ve birlik içinde olmaları zaruretini hatırlatan İslam İnkılabı Rehberi, "mevcut şartlarda ülke, beşinci kalkınma planı ile yüzyüzedir ve bu plan yetkililerin omzuna büyük sorumluluklar yüklemiştir. Bu planların hayata geçirilmesi dayanışma ve birlikteliği gerektirir" dedi. Ayetullah Hamanei ülkenin 20 yıllık kalkınma stratejisi hedeflerinin tahakkukunu, yargı, yasama ve yürütme organlarının en kritik ortak vazifesi olarak hatırlatarak, "şu anda planın bazı bölümlerinde belirlenen zaman diliminden öndeyiz, bazı bölümlerinde ise gerekli hareket ve atılım mevcut değil. Bunun için daha fazla bir çaba gösterilmeli ki kalkınma planı hedeflerinden ileride hareket edebilelim" dedi. Toplumda çalışma ve çaba kültürünün yaygınlaştırılması zaruretini vurgulayan İslam İnkılabı Rehberi Ayetullah Hamanei şöyle dedi: "Temennim odur ki hükümetle meclis arasında istenilen tevafuk sağlanmış olur ve sübvansiyonların hedeflendirilmesi kanununun uygulanmasıyla halk, sorumluların tedbir ve çabalarının tadını alırlar." Kültürel meselelerin de özel önem taşıdığını hatırlatan İslam İnkılâbı rehberi halkın hayatında genel kültür ve dini görünümün tahakkukunun büyük önem taşıdığını ve ona gereken ilginin gösterilmesinin şart olduğunu belirtti. Ayetullah Hamanei İslam nizamında sorumluluğun kritik ve ağır olduğunu belirterek, "yetkililer şunu bilmeliler ki görev başında oldukları her lahzadan öteki dünyada sorulacak. Bu bakımdan Allah indinde gerekli cevabı verecek şekilde amelde bulunmalıyız" dedi. Ayetullah Hamanei, dünya hayatından, dünyadaki çaba ve çalışmadan asıl amacın ölüm sonrası beşerin gerçek saadet ve kurtuluşu olduğunu belirterek, sorumluları Allah Taala ile irtibat ve menus olma ve Kur'anı Kerim üzerinde daha fazla tefekkür etme hususunda daha fazla çaba göstermeye tavsiye etti.

22 İslam İnkılâbı Rehberi konuşmasının bir diğer bölümünde ise bayram günleri ve Nevruz seyahatleri esnasında halkın refah, mutluluk ve güven içinde olduklarına dikkat çekerek ilgili tüm yetkililer ve organların gösterdikleri çaba ve hizmetlerden dolayı teşekkürlerini bildirdi. (IRNA) İran İslam Cumhuriyeti Dışişleri Bakanı Menuçehr Mutteki, Haşmetullah Attarzade nin serbest kalmasını ve Abdülmelik Rigi nin tutuklanmasının istihbarat teşkilatının başarısı olduğunu vurgulayarak, istihbarat bakanlığı çalışanlarının çabalarını takdirle karşıladı. Pakistan da kaçırılan İranlı diplomatlarının serbest kalması için düzenlenen ve Dışişleri Bakanlığı çalışanları ile ailelerinin katılımıyla gerçekleşen törende konuşan Mutteki dışişleri bakanlığının çeşitli ilgili birimleri de en üst düzeyde sürekli ve devamlı Attarzade nin konusunu takip ettiler dedi. Mutteki, Attarzade nin direnişini kutlarken ailesinin esareti boyunca gösterdiği sabır ve sağduyusunu da övdü ve yurt dışındaki diplomatik faaliyetler kendine has zorlukları var ve bazen de yurt dışındaki İran İslam Cumhuriyeti diplomatları için sorunlar oluşturmaktadır diye de ekledi. İslami devrim zaferinden sonra İran diplomatları ve çalışanlarının başına gelen bazı olaylara işaret eden Mutteki bu sürede bazı diplomatların şehit edilmesi, esir alınması ve yaralanmasına şahit olduklarını belirtti. (IRNA) İran İslam Cumhuriyetinin Kâbil Büyükelçiliği, ABD Genelkurmay Başkanı Michael Mullen in, Kandahar da Taliban örgütüne silah gönderdiği yönündeki iddiasını şiddetle yalanlayarak bu tür iddiaların asılsız olduğunu açıkladı. İran Büyükelçiliğinden yapılan açıklamada, bu tür suçlamaların yeni olmadığı ve bazı ülkelerin yenilgilerine bahane bulmak ve kamuoyunun dikkatini dağıtmak için başvurduğu bir yöntem olduğu belirtildi. Açıklamada İran ın Kâbil Büyükelçiliği, aşırı örgütlerle her türlü bağlantıyı yalanlarken bir kez daha Amerikalıların başkalarını suçlamak yerine terörle mücadele yolunda doğru ve mantıklı çözümler çabasında olmasında yarar olduğunu açıkladı. Mullen geçen hafta Kâbil de Amerikan güçlerinin Kandahar kentine yönelik operasyonu arifesinde yaptığı açıklamada İran ın Taliban örgütüne silah gönderdiğine dair bilgi edindiğini iddia etmişti. (IRNA)

23 Tahran da nükleer silahsızlanma toplantısının yapılması, ABD Dışişleri Bakanlığı Sözcüsünün mantıksız tepkisine yol açtı. Basın mensuplarına konuşan Philip Crowley eğer İran nükleer silahsızlanma rejimini güçlendirmeye kararlıysa işi önce kendisinden başlamalı dedi. İran İslam Cumhuriyeti nükleer silaha sahip olmadığı gibi defalarca şu anki barışçıl nükleer programının asla nükleer silah yapımına sapmayacağını açıkladığı halde bu mantıksız açıklama geldi. Dünyada en büyük nükleer silahlara sahip ülke olan ABD bu silahları Japonya da sivillere yönelik iki kez kullandı. Washington şimdi de ölümcül yeni nesil silahların yapımı çabasındadır ve nükleer silahlardan arınmış bir dünya için yapılan her türlü hareket ABD nin öfkesine tol açıyor. Tahran toplantısına gösterilen bu tepki, Washington un nükleer silahlardan arınmış bir dünyaya karşı çıktığının açık göstergesidir. Tahran toplantısı Nisan tarihinde yapılacak. (IRNA) İran İslam Cumhuriyeti Emniyeti Uyuşturucuyla Mücadele (NACA) güçleri Başkanı Hamid Rıza Hüseyinabadi, İran ve Türkiye nin güvenlik güçlerinin işbirliğiyle beş büyük uyuşturucu şebekesinin çökertildiğini bildirdi. Pazartesi düzenlenen 3.İran-Türkiye Uyuşturucuyla Mücadele oturumunda konuşma yapan Hamid Rıza Hüseyinabadi, iki ülke arasında yapılan en son oturumlarda uyuşturucuyla mücadele konusunda çok iyi anlaşmalara imza atıldığını, bu bağlamda ise uyuşturucu kaçakçılık şebekeleriyle mücadelede önemli adımlar atıldığını söyledi. İran İslam Cumhuriyeti Emniyeti Uyuşturucuyla Mücadele (NACA) güçleri Başkanı, dünyanın en büyük uyuşturucu üreticisi olan Afganistan a komşu olan İran ve Türkiye nin bu konudan en çok zarar gören ülkeler olduklarına dikkat çekti. Hamid Rıza Hüseyinabadi, İran ve Türkiye üzerinden yapılan uyuşturucu madde transiti çok önemli bir konu olduğunu belirterek, uluslararası kaçakçılık şebekeleriyle mücadeledeki iki ülkenin amaçları ortak olduğunun altını çizdi. Hüseynabadi ayrıca, yapılan 3. Oturumda PKK, PJAK ve organize suçlarla mücadele gibi konular üzerinde de görüş birliğine varıldığını konuşmasına ekledi. İran İslam Cumhuriyeti Emniyeti Uyuşturucuyla Mücadele (NACA) güçleri Başkanı Hamid Rıza Hüseyinabadi, İranve Türkiye nin güvenlik güçlerinin işbirliğiyle beş büyük uyuşturucu çetesi çökertildiğinin haberini verdi. (IRNA)