Archiv für den Tag 26. Mai 2012
Clinton emphasizes “differences” with Iran
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says “significant differences” with Iran still remain after two days of negotiations in Baghdad.
The G5+1 met with Iran on May 23 for two days of intense negotiations that ended yesterday, with plans to meet again next month in Moscow.
Both sides reportedly presented their proposals to resolve the nuclear disputes. The West suspects Iran of trying to build nuclear weapons, but Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful.
The world powers called on Iran to stop enriching uranium to the 20-percent level and to shut down its underground nuclear plant at Fordo. They also called for unrestricted access to Iran’s nuclear sites for inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Clinton said Iran also put forth its own ideas, and “significant differences” still remain.
Some Western diplomats in Baghdad had said that some of Iran’s points of concern are unrelated to nuclear issues.
Saeed Jalili, Iran’s top nuclear negotiator, confirmed that one of Iran’s points deals with Bahrain and the state of its democracy.
In the past year, Bahrain has faced widespread popular protests that threaten the legitimacy of its ruling monarchy, and Saudi Arabian and UAE troops have entered the Gulf Island country to put down the protests.
Iran has been strongly critical of what it has called foreign intervention in Bahrain.
The Mehr News Agency reports that Iran has also called for cooperation in the fight against piracy and drug trafficking.
In terms of nuclear issues, Iran reportedly insists on its right to uranium enrichment under NPT provisions. However, Jalili has announced that uranium enrichment at the 20 percent level is open to negotiation.
The world powers are set to meet again with the Iranian delegation in Moscow on June 18 and 19.
Clinton has said: “”As we lay the groundwork for these talks, we will keep up the pressure as part of our dual-track approach. All of our sanctions will remain in place and will continue to move forward during this period.”
Source: Radio Zamaneh
Oil Minister warns West against sanctions
Iran’s Minister of Oil warned today that sanctions on Iranian oil will lead to a leap in the price of oil on the global market and he called on the West to move wisely in this regard.
Rostam Ghassemi spoke at the opening of Tehran’s Friday Mass Prayers, saying that EU sanctions on Iranian oil have already driven up oil prices.
U.S. sanctions against Iran will take effect on June 28, and the EU oil embargo begins on July 1.
Iranian officials insist they are in no way concerned about the sanctions or the market for their petroleum exports.
Ghassemi, who was head of the Khatam-ol-Anbia financial group linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps, says Iran “with the support of the Supreme Leader will triumph in the economic war waged against it by the West.”
The United States has managed to make a significant dent in Iran’s oil market, convincing many countries to completely boycott Iranian oil and others to sharply reduce their imports.
Ghassemi added that Iran’s enemies have long been intent on stopping Iran’s oil and gas developments and now they are also trying to restrict its oil market.
Ghassemi said the vacuum created by Shell and Total’s withdrawal from contracts to develop Southern Pars has been filled by domestic contractors, and Iran’s oil industry will soon become self sufficient.
The IRGC-based company Khatam-ol-Anbia has taken over many oil-sector contracts in recent years.
While the Iranian economy is heavily dependent on its oil exports, recent sanctions have caused a sharp rise in the price of oil, which has created an unprecedented rise in Iran’s oil revenues, according to reports from the Central Bank of Iran.
Despite a fall in Iran’s oil production, its oil revenues are reportedly on a sharp rise.
Source: Radio Zamaneh
Ashton, Jalili Describe ‘Intense’ Talks; Next Round: Moscow in June
by MUHAMMAD SAHIMI
Press Roundup provides a selected summary of news from the Farsi and Arabic press and excerpts where the source is in English. Tehran Bureau has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. Any views expressed are the authors’ own.
3 a.m. IRDT, 5 Khordad/May 25 After the conclusion of two days of talks between Iran and the P5+1 group (the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany) concerning the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program, the chief negotiators for each side — European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and Saeed Jalili, secretary-general of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council — spoke to a group of reporters in Baghdad. Ashton addressed the journalists first, then Jalili. Lies den Rest dieses Artikels
Iran Standard Time | ‘Hitting the Turn’
by CORRESPONDENT
Welcome to dore zadan (hitting the turn), the way many young Iranians find a date. Though its utility has diminished over the last decade with the loosening enforcement of Iran’s morality laws that officially bar unrelated people of the opposite sex from holding hands in public, and everyone from playing Western pop music at parties, wearing clothes that are too tight, and so forth, the dore zadanis a mainstay of modern life for many young Tehranis. Predominantly practiced in the capital by the middle classes, it is an antidote to another boring weekend. Lies den Rest dieses Artikels
IAEA Finds Evidence of Higher Enriched Uranium; Fiat Out of Iran
Press Roundup provides a selected summary of news from the Farsi and Arabic press and excerpts where the source is in English. Tehran Bureau has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. Any views expressed are the authors’ own.
2:30 a.m. IRDT, 6 Khordad/May 26 Analysis by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of environmental samples taken by agency inspectors at Iran’s Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant on February 15 revealed particles with enrichment levels of up to 27 percent. That is higher than the 20 percent enrichment level that Iran officially informed the IAEA was the maximum for which the Fordow facility was designed; 20 percent is also the highest level of enrichment that Iran has publicly acknowledged conducting. In reply to the agency’s request for an explanation of the presence of the 27 percent-enriched particles, Iran stated, according to an IAEA report issued Friday, “that the production of such particles ‘above the target value’ may happen for technical reasons beyond the operator’s control.” Lies den Rest dieses Artikels
Loyalty to Khamenei: Haddad Adel Promises to Turn Iranian Parliament into the Supreme Leader’s Will
With the ninth Majlis now in place, semi-state Fars news agency published an interview with the parliament’s former Speaker Haddad Adel that throws light on the news agency’s preference to return him to the leadership of the assembly. This interview took place just a day after the son of the famed ayatollah Motahari, who is a conservative, outspoken and influential Majlis member, openly spoke of a role that Revolutionary Guards played in installing some individuals in the ninth Majlis. Adel won votes to become a Majlis representative from Tehran but some reports in the conservative media point the finger of Motahari’s claims on him.
Gholam Ali Haddad Adel
Adel is the father of Khamenei’s son’s wife and last week, Fars published one of its longest interviews with him. This interview is revealing as it comes at a time when the heat in the battle for the leadership of the ninth Majlis has been picking up.
In the interview, the Fars reporter, a news organization that is closely linked to the Revolutionary Guards, calls the seventh Majlis – which was led by Adel – “one of the best” and relays the praise that the supreme leader of the country, ayatollah Khamenei had for that assembly. When asked to share a story from those days, Adel said that perhaps that was the only time when there were no fist fights in the assembly, adding “of which I am proud.” Lies den Rest dieses Artikels
Revisiting the 1953 Iranian Coup with Christopher de Bellaigue
by Nadia Rasul
Tuesday night at Asia Society New York, author and journalist Christopher de Bellaigue spoke with Asia Society Vice President of Global Policy Programs Suzanne DiMaggio about his latest book, Patriot of Persia: Muhammad Mossadegh and a Tragic Anglo-American Coup, in which he revisits the 1953 American-led, British-backed coup that deposed Iran’s democratically elected Prime MinisterMohammed Mossadegh.
In the following highlights from the event, Bellaigue explains how the coup not only impacted the Iranian political scene but also changed the Western balance of power in the region. As British power and influence were already waning by 1953, they needed American help to overthrow PresidentMossadegh. But contrary to British expectations, the United States emerged as the more dominant power in the Middle East following this event.
Drawing on parallels between Mossadegh and present-day President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, Bellaigue notes that the Islamic Republic continues to appeal to Iranian nationalist sentiment by drawing on the idea of something’s being “non-negotiable” — such as the country’s perceived right to nuclear power — because it represents honor or dignity.
Another interesting point Bellaigue makes is that the only way American officials can ever hope to understand what Iranians mean by respect is by “spending time with the Iranians, is by having a relationship, is by having a kabob with them and chilling out and actually working out what makes these people think.” His recommendation seems especially important in light of the upcoming P5+1 nuclear talks with Iran.
In Annual Rights Report, U.S. Warns Of ‘Instability’ Following Arab Spring
Source: RFE/RL
In a new report, the U.S. State Department calls last year’s uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa “inspirational.”
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The “Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2011” says citizens in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Bahrain, Yemen, and Syria stood up and demanded their universal rights, greater economic opportunity, and participation in their countries’ political future.
Speaking at the release of the report in Washington on May 24, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said 2011 was “an especially tumultuous and momentous year for everyone involved in the cause of human rights.”
“Many of the events that have dominated recent headlines, from the revolutions in the Middles East to reforms in Burma (Myanmar), began with human rights, with the clear call of men and women demanding their universal rights,” Clinton said. Lies den Rest dieses Artikels
Azerbaijan Demands Apology From Iran Over Eurovision
Source: VOA
Azerbaijan has demanded a formal apology from Iran for its recent statements in connection with Baku’s hosting of the Eurovision song contest.
Eurovision Song Contest Baku 2012
A spokesman for Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday called the statements “insulting” and said the government expects an apology from Tehran as soon as possible. Lies den Rest dieses Artikels
Mount Pardis, the nearest place to the sun
By Afshin Majlesi, Tehran Times
More or less everyone has heard about the Seven Wonders of the World. Very few know the eighth one since it is not inscribed on any record or history books! This 8th non man-made wonder in the writer’s opinion is located in the town of Jam, Asaluyeh, Bushehr Province, just above the Persian Gulf.
Mount Pardis
It is the highest area adjacent to the equator so the closest place on earth to sun. You might be in awe about it, but this is what scientists and geologists have already approved.
In this town, located between Bandar-e Kangan and Firuzabad, there is a special mountain, called Kuh-e Pardis (Pardis Mountain), which is highly respected by local dwellers.
The herbs growing there is said to have various medical benefits. In addition, there grow exceptional dates used for making diabetes pills and sugars. Lies den Rest dieses Artikels
Israeli Military Leaders Speak Out Against Iran Strike
Retired and outgoing officers express lack of confidence in Natanyau and his push to attack Iran
Precis
The rift in Israel between the political leadership’s push for an attack on Iran, and the security establishment’s opposition widened in recent weeks. Three new voices spoke out on the question of Iran in the Israeli press, throwing doubt into the motivation of those who push for an attack, namely Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netnayahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak. The list includes Israeli Army Chief of Staff, Benny Gantz, as well as his predecessor, Amnon Lipkin-Shahak, Former head of the Mossad, Meir Dagan, and others. At the end of April, Yuval Diskin, former head of the Israeli internal intelligence agency, the SHABAK, spoke out against the attack as well. The Real News’ Lia Tarachansky spoke to renown Ha’aretz journalist Gideon Levy, and Major General Shlomo Gazit, the former head of Army intelligence, and the first head of the Israeli agency in charge of the occupied Palestinian territories.
Bio
Gideon Levy is a prominent Israeli journalist and author of the weekly column Twilight Zone in the Israeli paper Ha’aretz. He is also an editorial board member of Ha’aretz. Between 1978 and 1982 Levy served in the Shimon Peres office when Peres was the leader of the Labor Party.
Related Story: Israel Divided Over Plan to Attack Iran
Watch full multipart The Real News in the Middle East
Strawberry Festival in Soumahe Sara
A Strawberry Festival was held in the village of Soufiandeh near town of Soumahe Sara in Iran’sGilan Province last Thursday. The festive program included baking strawberry jam, making and displaying handicrafts and performances by local musicians. Also, the participants enjoyed watching a recreation of the region’s traditional wedding ceremony.
Iran Special: Statement By EU’s Catherine Ashton After E3+3 Talks
The E3+3 (sometimes known as the 5+1 Powers) talks with Iran about its nuclear program have ended in Baghdad. The parties haveagreed to meet in Moscow on 18-19 June to continue the discussions.
STATEMENT BY CATHERINE ASHTON, HIGH REPRESENTATIVE
FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND SECURITY POLICY AND VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE COMMISSION IN BAGHDAD ON 25th MAY 2012
First of all, I would like to thank the Iraqi government, and in
particular Foreign Minister Zebari, for the excellent hospitality and
organisation of these talks.
The E3+3 remain firm, clear and united in seeking a swift diplomatic
resolution of the international community’s concerns on the exclusively
peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme, based on the NPT, and the
full implementation of UN Security Council and IAEA Board of Governors
Resolutions. We expect Iran to take concrete and practical steps to
urgently meet the concerns of the international community, to build
confidence and to meet its international obligations. Lies den Rest dieses Artikels
Iran Analysis: 4 Lessons of The Baghdad Nuclear Talks…And What’s Next
Iran Delegation at Baghdad Talks1. THE UNBRIDGEABLE GAP
“Significant differences remain.”
With those three words, Catherine Ashton, the lead negotiator for the 5+1 Powers (US, Britain, France, Germany, China, and Russia), summarised the near-failure of the two-day nuclear talks with Iran in Baghdad.
For all the chatter about behind-the-scenes preparatory talks between the two sides, the 5+1 — led by the US and its European allies — put down an opening proposal which was never going to get a welcome from the Iranian delegation, even as a starting point. The demands remained, notably Iran’s commitment to give up enrichment of uranium to 20% and the closure of the Fordoo enrichment facility. The incentives were limited — Iran might be able to enrich to 3.5%, with supplies of 20% uranium from outside countries — and even insulting: the reference to the key issue of sanctions was “We could give you some spare parts for your civilian aircraft, having withheld these for years.” Lies den Rest dieses Artikels
Iran Snap Analysis: Propaganda, Negotiations, and the Economic Ties That Bind
The second round of talks between Iran and the 5+1 Powers (US, UK, France, Germany, China, Russia) on the nuclear programme are now receding. The third, to be held in Moscow, are more than three weeks away.
So it is now time for the Islamic Republic to put out stories about its economic achievements and success in repelling the aggressive sanctions of the “West”. Press TV offers an example:
Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yukio Edano says Tokyo is considering “realistic” options to ensure the country’s imports of Iranian crude are not disrupted.
“We are responding to this [Iran] issue through working with other ministries as a whole,” Edano told reporters at a press conference in Tokyo on Friday. He added, “By analyzing various risk factors and overall issues, we would like to ensure crude supplies [from Iran] will not be disrupted in a realistic manner.”
Here is what Press TV leaves out — the already-significant impact of the sanctions on Japanese purchases of Tehran’s oil, with the possiblity of more constriction — from the original report by Platts News Service: Lies den Rest dieses Artikels
The Latest from Iran (26 May): Propaganda Watch
0650 GMT: Nuclear Spin Watch. Journalist Barbara Slavin cuts through the propaganda (see 0610 GMT) to get to the essence of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s report: “Nuclear Monitors in Iran Detect ‘Unalarming’ Enrichment“.
0610 GMT: We open this morning with an analysis linking the nuclear discussions with economic issues, “Propaganda, Negotiations, and the Economic Ties That Bind“.
And this is not the only case of reality and rhetoric this morning. On Friday, the latest International Atomic Energy report on Iran’s nuclear programme was posted. The conclusion is a brief re-statement of the IAEA’s position in recent years — while there is no evidence of Tehran’s diversion of uranium to a militarised effort, the Agency would like wider access to Iranian facilities, confirmed by the Islamic Republic’s accession to the Additional Protocol of the Safeguards Agreement regulating inspections:
Reuters: Iran, big powers agree to hold more nuclear talks in June
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iran and world powers agreed to meet again next month to try to ease the long standoff over its nuclear work despite achieving scant progress at talks in Baghdad towards resolving the main sticking points of their dispute.
At its heart is Iran’s insistence on right to enrich uranium and that economic sanctions should be lifted before it shelves activities that could lead to its achieving the capability to develop nuclear weapons.
Western powers insist Tehran must first shut down higher-grade enrichment before sanctions could be eased.
But both sides have powerful reasons not to abandon diplomacy. The powers want to avert the danger of a new Middle East war raised by Israeli threats to bomb Iran, while Tehran also wants to avoid a looming Western ban on its oil exports.
After discussions in Baghdad extended late into an unscheduled second day on Thursday between envoys from Iran and the six powers, European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said it was clear both sides wanted progress and had some common ground, but significant differences remained. Lies den Rest dieses Artikels
Deprivation of Medical Care Jeopardizes Political Prisoner’s Life
Hossein Ronaghi Maleki in Dire Condition Serving 15-Year Prison Term
Father Says Months-long Torture Caused Kidney Failure
(25 May 2012) The Iranian Judiciary should immediately provide medical care for political prisoner Hossein Ronaghi Maleki and avoid another human tragedy, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran said today. It should also end its systematic policy of denying medical care to prisoners of conscience, thereby causing them permanent physical harm and disability, the Campaign added.
On 19 May 2012, Ronaghi began a hunger strike to protest the denial of his medical furlough. Ronaghi suffers from kidney failure and has been routinely denied medical furlough since his incarceration.
“This is the fifth time he is undergoing surgery and all physicians, including the Medical Examiner, have ordered special medical care for him post-operation,” Ronaghi’s father, Ahmad Ronaghi Maleki, told the Campaign. “But they want Hossein to return to prison after his surgery, a prison that has no medical facilities, suitable nutrition, nor kidney specialists.” Lies den Rest dieses Artikels
Iran News Round Up (May 25)
|
Why I am not Muslim anymore and escaped from Iran!
Being a woman is considered a big crime in Iran. What is the reason? The reason is because of the anti-women propaganda carried out by the Iranian regime’s religious figures and increasing pressure, oppression and discrimination against women.
Mohabat News – As a Muslim woman in Iran, I was given the least human rights in comparison to what men had. Women’s rights, according to the Islamic Republic’s laws, are measured by their gender and not by universal equal human standards and rights.
In Iran which is ruled by religious experts and Islamic clerics, the position of women’s rights is so unfortunate that women have become second-class citizens under the anti-women patriarchal laws. They have been pushed to the margins of society and do not enjoy the same and equal human rights that men have in society. Lies den Rest dieses Artikels
