One of Iraq’s three Vice Presidents, Osama al-Nujaifi, who has recently met in Sulaymaniyah with Masoud Barzani, said the seccessiont referendum in the Kurdistan region was a wrong decision taken unilaterally.
“Al Arabiya website quoted al-Nujaifi as saying that Barzani has voiced his readiness to suspend the referendum in return for the lifting of sanctions against the Kurdistan region and the start of negotiations,” wrote Entekhab news website in a Farsi report.
This comes as Erbil and Baghdad are still at odds amid consequences of the referendum in Kurdistan region.
Recently, Iraqi Vice Presidents Ayad Allawi and Osama al-Nujaifi met with Barzani in Sulaymaniyah and reached a four-point agreement on initiating talks and lifting sanctions on the Kurdistan region. However, Baghdad considered the agreement non-binding stressing that it would never recognize the referendum.
Under such circumstances, al-Nujaifi says that Barzani is ready to ignore the separation referendum results if the talks open, and the sanctions are removed.
Meanwhile, Hayman Hurami, the political adviser at the office of the Kurdish Region’s President, has referred to the meeting of the speaker of the Iraqi parliament with the president of the Kurdistan region and wrote on his Twitter page that Barzani has informed al-Jabouri he is ready for talks with Baghdad and the central government without any preconditions.
However, the spokesman for the Iraqi government Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf has called for guarantees from the Kurdish region government to adhere to maintaining unity in the country.
The Shiite coalition in Iraq, in turn, has criticized the visit of the country’s parliament speaker to Erbil and his meeting with Barzani, describing it as disappointing.
Another Iraqi Vice President, Nouri al-Maliki, has strongly rejected any dialogue and reconciliation between Baghdad and Erbil before cancelling the results of the plebiscite.
Is Barzani Ready for Conditional Suspension of Kurdish Referendum?
‘Iran-France Business Ties Promoted after Nuclear Deal’
“Relations between Iran and France have expanded in various fields including auto industry, aviation industry, part-making, environment, sewerage, agriculture and so on,” said Mohammad Reza Najafi-Manesh, a board member of Iran-France Chamber of Commerce.
According to a Farsi report by Tasnim, he said Iran and France have long-time relations and added given the promising opportunities created in the post-JCPOA era, the two sides hope they can take more advantages of the current economic and political capacities to expand bilateral ties in all fields.
Najafi-Manesh said France has already made huge investments in research on agriculture and animal husbandry in Iran.
He also said at present Iran is seeking to take advantage of France’s latest scientific findings in agriculture and animal husbandry.
The Iranian official noted that exchanging the latest scientific findings with other countries in the mentioned fields will lead to further productivity and income.
Iran’s West Azarbaijan Province Exports 20 Tonnes of Grapes
“This year, 20 tonnes of grapes harvested in West Azarbaijan, worth $15 million, have been exported to Russia, Azerbaijan Republic, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Ukraine and Iraq,” head of the Agriculture Organization of the province, Esmaeil Karimzadeh, said on Monday.
According to a Farsi report by the Mehr News Agency, he said West Azarbaijan is the fifth largest producer of grapes across Iran, adding the province is ranked first in terms of the quality of its grape.
“Grape is the second major fruit of the province involving 30,000 workers directly and 30,000 other indirectly in harvesting and packaging.”
He went on saying this year 176,265 tonnes of grapes have been harvested in the province. “Out of the harvested grapes, over 20,000 tonnes are stored but the rest are sent to the domestic and foreign markets.”
38% Decrease in Grape Harvest in West Azarbaijan
Karimzadeh said about 30,000 tonnes of the harvested grapes in the province are exported to foreign markets and the rest, about 60,000 tonnes, are used in supplementary industries.
“Meanwhile, about 40,000 tonnes of grapes are turned into raisins and the rest are allocated for household consumption,” he said.
Karimzadeh referred to a 38-percent decrease in this year’s grapes harvest because of icy weather and added, “There are over 52 types of grapes in the province but the main grapes are seedless white and seedless red grapes harvested in Sardasht region.”
He called on the government to support the grape harvesters in the province and added marketing still remains one of the main challenges for the grape harvesters.
“Absence of a government representative for setting the price as well as the presence of dealers in exporting markets are the main problems in the grapes markets,” he added.
Iranian MPs Outraged by Italian Embassy’s “Impudence”
Iranian lawmaker Abolfazl Hassan Beigi says the Italian embassy’s fingerprint request is an insult to the Islamic Republic of Iran and the status of parliament membership, adding the parliament will not allow the embassy to go ahead with its insult.
“According to a plan by the Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission to help Foreign Ministry via inspecting Iranian embassies abroad, I, along with another MP, Mohammad Javad Jamali, are expected to visit Italy. To make the arrangements, the Italian embassy in Tehran has announced that we need to be fingerprinted before the visit.”
“We consider the decision a blatant insult to the Islamic Republic of Iran and the status of Parliament membership and will not allow the embassy to insult us,” he was quoted as saying by the Khabar Online news agency.
The representative of Damghan also said the lawmakers have political passport and “this means that there is no need to fingerprinting because we have political immunity. So, the embassy’s decision amounts to an insult to us.”
The Iranian lawmaker said the chairman of the Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, Alaeddin Broujerdi “even suggested that the embassy fingerprints us in the parliament but they rejected the suggestion under various pretexts.”
He stressed that the Italian embassy’s decision is not “acceptable” under any condition and added “our visit to Italy has been delayed for over a month due to this issue but I would not go to Italy if they insist on their decision.”
German Ambassador to Tehran Poses with “Yes to JCPOA” Poster
After posing with a “Yes to JCPOA” poster hung on the wall of the German embassy in Tehran, Ambassador Michael Klor-Berchtold wrote on Twitter:
“With these posters, we want to tell to the Iranian public how much Germany is trying to maintain and implement the nuclear deal.”
According to a Farsi report by Tabnak, the German diplomat emphasized in a message that Germany is one of the six countries that succeeded in ending the disputes over Iran’s nuclear program in 2015, after years of diplomatic efforts.
“This agreement is a clear example of how the complicated international issues could be resolved through negotiations peacefully. Together with France, Britain, the United States, China and Russia, we proved that diplomacy and dialogue are stronger than conflict. Despite the opposition voices heard, Germany still insists on sticking to the deal and implementing it,” said the German ambassador.
He also added that German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel has always emphasized this and reiterated it at the United Nations General Assembly in New York as well.
“Germany’s ambassador to the United States, Peter Wittig, is also taking every opportunity in Washington to outline our positions, and tries to win the favour of others. That’s exactly what I’m doing in Tehran. Our posters confirm our stance and our diplomatic efforts, especially in the last few months and weeks.”
“I believe that more than ever, we need to emphasize dialogue and diplomacy. All the parties to the nuclear deal are responsible for its success and must look at it as a clear example of a peaceful settlement of conflict through dialogue,” noted Klor-Berchtold.
Based on the report, the German embassy in Tehran has produced a series of posters bearing the slogan “Yes to JCPOA”, which is the stance taken by German Foreign Minister Gabriel, ambassador Klor-Berchtold, and German ambassador to the United States Wittig.
The posters are hung on the walls of German embassy in Tehran in the heart of Iranian capital, along with pictures of Germany’s spectacular sceneries.
All the posters bear the following title: “For maintaining and implementation of the deal between Iran, the United States, China, France, Germany, Russia, the UK, and the European Union which is endorsed by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015)”. It also includes the following:
German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel, after the meeting of the P5+1 group of countries with Iran on September 21 said in New York: “We strongly oppose ending the nuclear deal with Iran, and of course we do not want to cancel it, either today or tomorrow.”
Germany’s ambassador to Tehran, Michael Klor-Berchtold, said in Tehran on October 5, 2017: “The JCPOA is a great achievement, and Germany is committed to it. We will do anything we can, to maintain this achievement. We will continue our efforts so that the people of Iran and their families enjoy all the potentials of the deal in their everyday life.”
German Ambassador to the United States, Wittig, stated at the Atlantic Council press conference on ‘Europe and the Nuclear Accord with Iran’ on September 25, 2017 in Washington that: “We are interested and this is in fact our top priority, to see the nuclear pact with Iran is maintained…We believe there are no practical peaceful alternatives to this treaty.”
Tehran Police Forces to Use Bicycle for Daily Missions
Speaking to reporters on Monday, General Rahimi said that “a license must be obtained so as to use motorcycles and bicycles for police forces in Tehran.”
He also noted that Tehran police forces are pioneering in this regard, according to a Farsi report by IRNA.
“Of course, government organizations should also be pioneering in it. By the way, the cyclist police would be initially run in Tehran. In the meantime, we are planning to use hybrid cars at Tehran’s police stations.” added Rahimi.
Rahimi stated that more than 35,000 calls are received at the 110 Emergency Centre on a daily basis and the police take care of the issues in seven to eight minutes, but sometimes it takes about 20 minutes, and we are trying to shorten this time.
“The highest priority of the police is to fight against smuggling of goods and foreign currency, and our discovery rate has increased by more than 50 percent over the past six months.”
Rahimi stressed that police are present at official hubs, including customs, as well as at the places where the smugglers are covertly activating, but it is necessary that the other organizations help us in this regard.
Meanwhile, according to news agencies on Monday, police officers in the capital Tehran were also provided with new uniforms equipped with cameras.
These cameras that are installed on police uniforms are capable of capturing images during missions.
Fars News Agency has quoted a top police commander General Mohammad Sharafi as saying that the footage recorded by these cameras can be monitored online.
UK Firm Makes $115m Investment in Waste Recycling in Iran
Zanjan Governor, Asadollah Darvish Amiri, said the investment by the UK’s Global Green Company is made in line with raising public awareness about garbage recycling across the world. “The decision is quite praiseworthy.”
He went on saying with the investment made by the Global Green in Zanjan province, the problem of waste recycling will be resolved. “The company will also take a long step in protecting the environment of the province against the garbage,” he added.
Darvish Amiri also said the province’s officials will do their best to provide the foreign company with the required facilities.
“We hope the firm would begin its operation soon,” he said on Sunday in an address to foreign investors in the province, according to a Farsi report by IRNA.
“The Build–operate–transfer (BOT) contract signed between Zanjan governor and Green Global paves the way for attracting domestic investments in the province,” he noted.
Darvish Amiri also called on the new members of the Municipality Council of the province to make the arrangements for the immediate operation of the company.
Javad Rahmati, another Iranian official, said the management of garbage in the province dates back to 30 years ago. “But today, we are going to launch a new and different project in this field.”
According to Rahmani, various projects have been offered to the province’s officials for recycling of garbage but “Global Green was the only company which offered a new project for waste cycling.”
“The company also has the capacity to recycle the garbage produced in the neighbouring cities,” he said.
Producing Electricity from Garbage
The CEO of Global Green then took the podium and said the company has always been seeking new ways to recycle garbage using the latest technologies.
He said the company has managed to adopt the latest technologies to turn the garbage into fuel and then electricity.
He went on to say that investing in Zanjan province is cost-effective for his company and added through the investment, Global Green will recruit local workers and protect the Iranian environment.
The company is set to become operational in a vast land by the next three months.
Zanjan province produces over 300 tons of garbage on a daily basis.
Pirate Attack on Iranian Cargo Ship Foiled by Naval Forces
The pirates, sailing seven boats equipped with light and semi-heavy assault weapons, launched an attack on the Iranian trade vessel near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on Monday morning.
The Iranian Navy’s Alvand destroyer received a distress signal from the trade vessel, loaded with a cargo worth millions of dollars, and rushed to the scene, forcing the pirates to flee.
Alvand destroyer is sailing the international waters as part of the 48th flotilla of Iran’s Navy, which began an overseas mission last month.
In recent years, Iran’s naval forces have increased their presence in the international waters to protect naval routes and provide security for merchant vessels and oil tankers.
In line with international efforts to combat piracy, the Iranian Navy has also been conducting anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden since November 2008 to safeguard the vessels involved in maritime trade, especially the ships and oil tankers owned or leased by Iran.
Iran to Present Its Latest Apps at GITEX 2017
The company’s CEO, Mr Sattari, has explained about the activities of Hamravesh saying that the company is a knowledge-based one launched in 2016. It provides software services in order to produce useful applications to meet the needs of different organizations.
It has produced several apps in the domain of sales services, product delivery, storage services, and health sector.
In the exportation sector, Hamravesh designed an app on load-carrying systems (on-demand freight) for a Dubai-based company both on Android and IOS platforms. In this system, each customer who wants to send a package can communicate with the driver.
GITEX is the most important regional technology show in which many large and small companies are taking part. It is a good chance for us and other Iranian companies to introduce our potentialities at this event.
This is the first time Hamravesh is taking part at GITEX. Since we have already worked at the international level, we are going to participate in this exhibition to introduce our capabilities to the international market and work with other companies. On the other hand, getting familiar with the technology of the contemporary world, and the achievements and trends in the world of technology can help in improving various aspects of Iran’s activities and position in this area.
Hamravesh has always tried to be a trusted partner for the companies which are not working on software systems, but need software. To reach this, we did our best to meet the needs of these companies with the help of elites and experts.
Regarding the prospects of technology, it is noteworthy to say that to achieve success in the modern world it is necessary to have professional human resources.
What is important today for the new wave of Iranian knowledge-based companies is to have a staff who help in production of globally-standard products and Hamravesh tries to step in this direction.
A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on October 9
The top story in all newspapers today was the remarks made by the Chief-Commander of Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari against the possible designation of IRGC as a terrorist organization. The IRGC Commander warned the US against such move, and said if blacklisted, the IRGC forces will view the US troopers anywhere in the world like ISIS terrorists.
Newspapers also covered the comments made by Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary-General of the Lebanese Resistance Movement Hezbollah, about a Saudi-American plot against Iran.
Also a top story today was a ceremony held in commemoration of Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, the late former president of Iran, which was attended by senior politicians and diplomats including Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.
The above issues, as well as many more, are highlighted in the following headlines and top stories:
Abrar:
1- IRGC: US Implementation of CAATSA Means Its Unilateral Withdrawal from JCPOA
2- Zarif: Iran to Give Appropriate Response to Trump
Aftab-e Yazd:
1- Iranian Politicians Praise Efforts of Late Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani
- Zarif: I Learned from Hashemi that Courage Doesn’t Mean Radicalism
- Nateq Noori: Whatever Steel, Cement, Petchem Plants We Have Built in Hashemi’s Time
2- Prosecutor-General: We’ll Soon Make Decision about Telegram Messaging App
Ebtekar:
1- IRGC Chief-Commander: We’ll Resolve Regional Issues in a Place Other than Negotiating Table
2- Judiciary Spokesman Denies New Restrictions for Former President Khatami
Etemad:
1- IRGC Chief-Commander’s Remarks Widely Covered in Domestic, Foreign Media
- Iran to View US Army like ISIS If IRGC Blacklisted
2- Official: 800 Elites Repatriated to Iran
Ettela’at:
1- Ayatollah Rafsanjani Helped IRGC, Army Reach Unity
2- Rouhani’s Economic VP: Trump Wants to Damage Stability of Iran’s Economy
3- Iran Thwarts Saudi-American Plot in Region: Hezbollah Chief
Iran:
1- 1,431 Unfinished Construction Projects Handed over to Private Sector
2- Labour Minister: Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy Will Become Free
Javan:
1- Prosecutor Hits Back at First VP’s Reaction to His Brother’s Arrest
2- Nasrallah: New US-Saudi Plot against Iran Started
Jomhouri Eslami:
1- Health Minister: Universities Not Feeling Well
2- Nasrallah: US Strongly Trying to Protect ISIS
3- Ayatollah Sistani Praises Talabani’s Role in Iraq’s Unity
Kayhan:
1- Judiciary: Ex-Member of Iran Nuclear Negotiating Team Had Links with 2 Foreign Spy Agencies
2- IRR 68,000 Billion Spent in Six Months on Fuel Imports: Statistics
Resalat:
1- IRGC Urges US to Move Its Bases to Somewhere Outside Striking Range of Iran Missiles
Rooyesh-e Mellat:
1- Nasrallah: War to Go on until Eradication of ISIS
2- Iran Exporting 90% of Its Crude Oil from Kharg Island
