Iran, Azerbaijan back up firmer ties

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (R) and Azeri Deputy Prime Minister Elchin Efendiyev meet in Tehran on March 28, 2011.

IRAN, March 29, 2011 (KATAKAMI/COM) — Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says Tehran and Baku enjoy amicable relations and the two neighbors’ intertwined security and development call for further cooperation, Press TV Channel reported.

“Iran regards the development and progress of Azerbaijan as its own and is ready to promote bilateral cooperation in line with the two countries’ national interests,” said President Ahmadinejad in a Monday meeting with Azeri Deputy Prime Minister Elchin Efendiyev, who was in the Iranian capital, Tehran, to attend the second Nowruz International Celebrations.

He added that the Iranian and Azeri people have always supported each other and pointed out that no obstacle can prevent the expansion of cordial ties between the two countries.

The Azeri official, for his part, praised Iran’s efforts to hold the celebrations on the occasion of Nowruz and the beginning of spring and said Nowruz is the feast of security and solidarity and strengthens bonds between nations.

Efendiyev expressed his country’s willingness to bolster “peaceful and stable” ties with the Islamic Republic in all spheres.

The second International Nowruz Celebrations wrapped up in Tehran on Monday after participants issued a Nowruz declaration calling on regional people to commemorate the ancient tradition of celebrating the Persian New Year and concentrate their efforts in promoting Nowruz traditions through cultural, artistic, scientific and educational programs.

Nowruz, which coincides with the first day of spring on the solar calendar, is mostly celebrated in Iran, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Turkey and Uzbekistan.

The International Day of Nowruz was registered on the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on February 23, 2010.  (*)

 

Iranian leader warns against Western military intervention in Libya

File pic : Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

IRAN, March 15, 2011 (KATAKAMI.COM ) — Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned against Western military intervention in Libya in an interview with the Spanish TVE1 channel on Tuesday.

“Iraq and Afghanistan are real examples of the results of Western military intervention: thousands of civilians were killed,” Ahmadinejad said. “We can use other mechanisms to control the situation in Libya.”

As reported by RIA Novosti on Tuesday, fierce clashes between Libyan rebels and forces loyal to leader Muammar Gaddafi have been raging in Libya since mid-February, claiming thousands of lives. The G8 foreign ministers discussed implementing a no-fly zone over the north-African country on Monday and Tuesday in Paris, but were unable to reach an agreement.

The Iranian president accused Western powers of causing the Libyan unrest.

“Tell me, who has been supporting dictatorial regimes for the past 50 years?” Ahmadinejad asked. “Who sold the weapons to Libya that Gaddafi is now using to bomb his own people?”

Pro-Gaddafi forces attacked the rebel-held town of Zuwarah in northwestern Libya on Monday, forcing out rebel forces. They have also launched air strikes on the Libyan towns of Ajdabiya and Brega.

Nothing can justify Gaddafi’s harsh military response to his adversaries, Ahmadinejad said.

“The one who bombs his own people should be condemned and receive a fair punishment,” he said, adding “it is necessary to find dialogue with the people.”

In an interview with the Italian newspaper Il Giornale, published on Tuesday, Gaddafi said the Libyan rebels were terrorists backed by Al Qaeda.

When asked by a journalist if he was ready to begin dialogue with rebels, Gaddafi answered: “Dialogue with whom? The people are on my side.”  (*)

 

Iranian President Ahmadinejad slams world warmongers

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

March 12, 2011 (KATAKAMI.COM) — Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has spoken strongly against the warmongering nations of the world, calling them devoid of care for humanity, as reported by Iranian Television PRESS TV on Saturday.

“Rulers, who have launched the wars, their hearts are devoid of affection for mankind,” President Ahmadinejad said on Saturday, IRIB reported.

“The emptier their hearts are of affection, the more [there are] crime and war,” the Iranian chief executive said.

“Warfare in Iraq and Afghanistan is an example, which has affected the economy and security of the whole world and everyone has suffered damage from it,” the president said, referring to the United States-led offensives on the violence-scarred countries.

Violence resulting from the military presence has killed over one million Iraqis ever since the Washington-led invasion of the country in 2003, says the California-based investigative organization Project Censored.

The 2001-present armed interference in Afghanistan has also claimed the lives of thousands of Afghan civilians. (*)

 

Photostream : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad meets Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Naji Otri

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (C) attends a meeting with Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Naji Otri (front-L) in Tehran on March 10, 2011 during the latter's official visit to Iran. AFP PHOTO/BEHROUZ MEHRI

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (L) shakes hands with Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Naji Otri upon his arrival for a meeting in Tehran on March 10, 2011. AFP PHOTO/BEHROUZ MEHRI

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (L) greets Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Naji Otri upon his arrival for a meeting in Tehran on March 10, 2011. AFP PHOTO/BEHROUZ MEHRI

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (R) meets with Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Naji Otri (L) in Tehran on March 10, 2011 during the latter's official visit to Iran. AFP PHOTO/BEHROUZ MEHRI

 

Ahmadinejad : Hegemonies crumbling

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

 

 

IRAN, March 10, 2011 (KATAKAMI.COM) — Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says hegemonic powers are already collapsing, reiterating that an Islamic awakening is spreading across the world, Iranian Television PRESS TV reported on Thursday.

“The human society is moving rapidly forward and today’s hegemonic powers, which are unrivaled in corruption, pillage, massacre and crimes, are already collapsing,” President Ahmadinejad said during a visit to the central Iranian city of Qom on Thursday.

“An Islamic awakening is taking place in the world. A major movement is underway and we can see its signs in every corner of the globe,” he went on to say.

The Iranian chief executive praised the role of clerics in inviting societies to salvation and prosperity and said that on account of clerics’ efforts and sacrifices, a global movement based on divine values is spreading all across the world.

President Ahmadinejad added that the Islamic Republic of Iran had two major global missions; specifically, setting an example for the world and disseminating divine ideas as widely as possible.  (*)

 

Photostream : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad meets Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (C) talks with Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga prior to a meeting in Tehran on March 6, 2011. (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images)

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (L) hugs Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga as they attend an official meeting in Tehran March 6, 2011. REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (C) hugs with Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga (R) as Iran's first vice-president Mohammad Reza Rahimi (L) looks on prior to a meetings in Tehran on March 6, 2011. AFP PHOTO/ATTA KENARE

 

Iran, Kenya has broad areas for cooperation

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad meets Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Tehran March 6, 2011. (Photo : Official Web Site Of Iran's President )

March 7, 2011 (KATAKAMI.COM) — Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Sunday (6/3/2011) that Iran and Kenya have broad areas for cooperation.

President Ahmadinejad made the remarks in a meeting with Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Tehran.

He said that both Iran and Kenya are eager to further enhance their cooperation particularly in view of the ongoing international developments.

‘Iran and Kenya are in the same front. The common culture and viewpoints of both countries have made them get closer to each other,’ President Ahmadinejad added.

Referring to great potentials for increasing the level of cooperation between Iran and Kenya, he noted that Iran and Kenya can take effective steps in consolidating their bilateral ties through further cooperation in economic, political and cultural areas.

President Ahmadinejad emphasized the importance of paying heed to banking and customs infrastructure of both countries in order to enhance bilateral industrial and commercial cooperation.

“Kenya is one of the main centers for independence-seeking movements in Africa. Hence, it enjoys a special status in thought and culture of the Iranian nation,” he added.

Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga for his part said that Kenya as a trading center in east Africa pays heed to broaden ties in all arenas.

He also said that his country is willing to further consolidate its political and international cooperation with Iran.   (*)

Source : The Islamic Republic of Iran’s Presidency website

 

Iran to US: Stop military interference

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

March 2, 2011 (KATAKAMI.COM / PRESS TV.IR/ IRNA ) —- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has warned the United States and its allies against their “military” interference in North Africa and the Middle East, urging them to stop their moves, Press TV reported on Wednesday.

“If you have military interference in North Africa and the Middle East once again, regional nations will stand up and dig graves for your soldiers,” IRNA quoted President Ahmadinejad as speaking in Iran’s western province of Lorestan on Wednesday.

The Iranian chief executive added that the present time differs from 10 years ago and the time of former US President George W. Bush “that you attacked Iraq and Afghanistan under the pretext of September 11.”

He said the US and its “plundering allies” are the “most hated governments among nations” and emphasized that they are hatching plots to prepare ground for their military intervention in certain countries.

President Ahmadinejad warned certain powers, who falsely claim to defend human rights, against their deceitful plots, saying, “No one accepts your claims about supporting nations because you are the main culprits behind the ongoing crimes in the world.”

He pointed out that the US leaders currently claim to defend rights of nations and confront dictators, stressing, “All people across the world should know that the dictatorship is supported by the US government.”

President Ahmadinejad said new plots by the United States and its allies are aimed at overcoming oil and gas resources in North Africa and certain countries in the Middle East.  (*)

 

Ahmadinejad's car sells for $2.5mn

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's Peugeot 504

March 2, 2011 (KATAKAMI.COM / PRESS TV.IR ) —- A 1977 Peugeot 504 that had been owned by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been sold for $2.5 million in a charity auction organized to raise money for a housing project for low-income families.

The 34-year-old Peugeot sedan was sold on Tuesday in an exhibition of classic cars in the Arvand Free Trade Zone in the southwestern province of Khuzestan, the Fars news agency reported.

In November 2010, Minister of Welfare and Social Security Sadeq Mahsouli said the funds obtained from auctioning off President Ahmadinejad’s car would be used to support the Mehr Housing Plan, which will provide affordable housing for low-income households.

Bidders from eight countries had named their price for the car. It was previously announced that the white sedan had received a $1 million bid from an Arab country only a day after the car went under the hammer.

President Ahmadinejad arranged the auction as part of the efforts to raise funds to build 60,000 housing units for physically challenged and low-income women who are heads of households.

The Iranian president used to drive the white Peugeot 504 when he served as the mayor of Tehran before becoming president in 2005. The vehicle would be worth around $2,000 on the local market.   (*)

 

Iranian President Ahmadinejad's 34-year-old Peugeot sold for $1m

Old: The 34-year-old car is wanted by a number of foreign suitors, according to an Iranian newspaper

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(KATAKAMI / DAILY MAIL.CO.UK) — President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has received a $1million bid for his 34-year-old car, only a day after it was put up for sale.

The Iranian president, who is auctioning his 1977 white Peugeot sedan to raise money for a low-income housing project, has been made the offer by a foreign source.

The project is aimed at disabled and young people in a move by the 54-year-old, who took charge of Iran in 2005, to appeal to fulfill a campaign promise to put a roof over the head of every poor Iranian.

An Iranian Sunday newspaper said various bids from abroad have been received by the multilingual website set up yesterday for the auction, including $1 million, but it did not elaborate on the identity of the bidders.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

The top bidders will be invited to the auction, which will be held in mid-February in the south-western city of Abadan.

And online offers can be made until the end of January.

Foreign bidders paid £43 to register, while locals pay around £30.

The president had made a point of being seen in the humble white Peugeot 504 sedan when he was Tehran mayor before becoming president in 2005.

The car would probably be worth around $2,000 on the local market.

Lack of housing has always been a major concern in Iran, where a quarter of the 75-million population live in rented apartments and nearly a third of a family’s income goes to pay the rent.

Official statistics say the government has built more than 140,000 housing units in the first half of 201l. It has promised to build nearly 1 million units by March 2011. (*)