Turkish ministry confirms Iran's plans to resume talks with West

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

November 07, 2010 (KATAKAMI / RIA NOVOSTI) --- Turkish Foreign Ministry confirmed Teheran's plans to resume talks with the group of six international mediators over its controversial nuclear program on the territory of Turkey.

The talks are expected to be held in Istanbul on November 10 or 15, Turkish Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said.

"In the last two or three days, we informed our Turkish friends that we agree to hold negotiations in Turkey," Mottaki said.

"I hope we will reach an agreement soon over the date and the contents," he said. "We are very optimistic the discussions will start as soon as possible, as the overall approach of Iran is positive and constructive."
The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Catherine Ashton, said in October that Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, had agreed to resume the talks "in a place and on a date convenient to both sides." She added that the talks would take place after November 10.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in October Tehran was ready for a new round of talks but only on a number of conditions, including a comment by the Iran Six (the United States, Britain, China, France, Russia and Germany) on Israel's nuclear capability.

Talks between Tehran and the Iran Six came to a halt in 2009, after an IAEA resolution condemned the Islamic Republic over the construction of a second uranium enrichment facility.

The United Nations Security Council imposed a fourth set of sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program in June.


ANKARA, November 7 (RIA Novosti)

President Ahmadinejad meets Sudanese Presidential Advisor : The claimants of human rights, freedom and democracy as the former colonizers

President Ahmadinejad in a meeting with Sudanese Presidential Advisor: The claimants of human rights, freedom and democracy as the former colonizers (Sunday, November 07, 2010)

November 07, 2010 (KATAKAMI / PRESIDEN.IR) --- President Ahmadinejad said: Iran and Sudan relations are brotherly and Iran with religious look will stand beside Sudan and an independent nations.

Dr.Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in a meeting with Sudanese presidential advisor stating that The enemies are worried and displeased with the advancement of the independent nations and do their best to halt their progress, arguing, “The hegemonic system resorting to various methods tries to block the path for the rising might and blossoming advancement of the Islamic countries.”

President pointing to the enemies plots to create division and discord between independent countries, made the remarks: “The hegemonic system while do not allow Palestine even in their countries form referendum, encourage this issue in the independent countries such as Sudan, and even design plots for that which should tactfully stand against it.

President said: “The claimants of human rights, freedom and democracy are as the former colonizers and slave owners which after defeat against nations struggle have struck the false mask of supporting the rights of nations.

The Sudanese official praised Iran's wise diplomacy on international issues and said all plots against the Islamic Republic have failed.

He expressed hope the Islamic Republic and Sudan would take steps towards promoting political, economic and cultural cooperation. (*)

Ahmadinejad congratulates Brazil's new president Dilma Rousseff

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

November 01, 2010 (KATAKAMI / YNET) --- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad congratulated Dilma Rousseff on her election as Brazil's new president.

In a missive he sent to Rousseff, Ahmadinejad wrote that the last few years have seen major progress in relations between Tehran and Brasilia, and that he hopes that the cooperation between the two countries would continue throughout her term as president.

(MS)

Iranian intelligence chief meets Khaled Mashaal in Damascus

Khaled Mashaal

October 31, 2010 (KATAKAMI / YNET) --- Iranian Intelligence Minister Haidar Moslehi met in Damascus with Hamas Politburo Chief Khaled Mashaal, who at the end of their meeting said they discussed the conflict with Israel.

The Iranian IRNA news agency reported that Moslehi, who is on a 3-day visit to Syria, also met with Islamic Jihad Chief Ramadan Shalah.

(MS)

EU: Iran Ready to Resume Nuclear Talks

EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton (file photo)

October 29, 2010 (KATAKAMI / VOA) --- The European Union's foreign policy chief says Iran is ready to resume talks about its nuclear program.

Catherine Ashton told reporters in Brussels Friday that she received a letter from Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, saying he is prepared to restart talks after November 10.

Ashton called the offer an "important development."

The EU foreign policy chief had proposed meeting with Jalili in mid-November on behalf of the P5 + 1, which includes Germany and the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council.

The Security Council has imposed four sets of sanctions on Iran for its refusal to stop enriching uranium, which can be used to develop nuclear weapons.

Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful.

(MS)

Russia to Refund Iran for Canceled Missile Deal

Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias (R) welcomes Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev during their meeting in Presidential palace in divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, on 07 Oct 2010

October 08, 2010 (KATAKAMI) - Russian officials say the country plans to reimburse Iran, after Moscow canceled the sale of an air defense missile system to Tehran. The announcement comes as the Russian president is on a one-day state visit to Cyprus.

In the scope of a $800 million contract brokered in 2005, Russia was obliged to send Iran at least five S-300 missile systems.

But last month, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev banned the sale of the missile systems following United Nations sanctions against such arms sales.

The U.N. imposed the sanctions in June for Iran's refusal to stop enriching uranium.

Mr. Medvedev also outlawed the sale of tanks, aircraft and sea vessels to Iran.

The proposed deal caused alarm in the United States and Israel as the S-300 can track 100 targets at once and fire on aircraft up to 75 miles away.

Possession of S-300 systems would have also boosted Iran's defense of its nuclear facilities against attack from the air.

The news comes on the heels of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's first ever state visit by a Russian leader to the Republic of Cyprus.

Security was high in the capital, as the Cypriot government views this visit of crucial importance and a chance to display their strong ties with a superpower.

Government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou told VOA News that Russia and Cyprus will sign fifteen agreements during the visit ranging from a tax treaty to healthcare and tourism deals.

"It is very significant; I would say its very historic official visit. Russia is a very significant country in the world; it's a permanent member of the Security Council and very important country for Cyprus regarding the political and economic aspect of our relations," he said.

Ties between the two countries are strong with more than 10,000 people of Russian origin living and working in Cyprus. The island is one of the largest foreign investors in the Russian economy.

"The Soviet Union at that time was one of the first countries that recognized the Cyprus republic, and since then the bilateral relations between the two countries are at a very good level," said Stefanou.

Thousands of offshore companies registered on the island are Russian, which re-invest profits, taxed at a lower rate in Cyprus, back into Russia.

Cyprus is also a big foreign destination for Russian money, receiving $16.6 billion since 1991.

"The investments of Russians in our country are very high, so the financial aspect of the visit is very significant as well. So, and politically and financially the official visit of Mr Medvedev is very important for our country," Stefanou added.

The Russian president, who is accompanied by a multi-party delegation, leaves the island Thursday night.



VOICE OF AMERICA (VOA)