Executive instructions adopted to promote the security of foreign tourists

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December 17, 2014

On December 16, Javan, a daily, carried a report on executive instructions approved by the Supreme National Security Council to provide foreign tourists with a more secure environment. The following is the translation of the report:

Amid a considerable growth in the number of foreign tourists visiting Iran, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council has voted for executive instructions aimed at beefing up security for foreign tourists.

It came after a set of instructions to promote security for foreign tourists was pieced together at the suggestion of Masoud Soltanifar, a vice-president and head of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handcrafts and Tourism Organization.

The instructions, which deal with the importance of boosting tourism and its impact on national security, focus on a wide range of subjects, including the security of tourists and tourist attractions, major threats to tourists, current challenges tourism is grappling with and upstream tourism strategies.

The passage of the executive instructions is of great importance, because over the past few years, absence of adequate security for foreign tourists in some tourist destinations has delivered heavy blows to the industry and has seen the number of tourists slump drastically.

One of the countries worst affected is Thailand, a nation whose tourism industry is still reeling from a deadly incident in which two British tourists were murdered [David Miller and Hannah Witheridge, whose bodies were found near a beachside bungalow on Koh Tai on September 15, 2014]. The absence of CCTV cameras and enough security forces at the place where the crime was committed were partly to blame for the bloody incident. Not only did the tragic double murder push Thailand out of the list of Asia’s most popular tourist destinations, but it saw a book entitled ‘Thailand: Deadly Destination’ hit bookstore shelves.

Thai officials are struggling to restore the country’s tourism image. With a decline in the number of foreign tourists travelling to Thailand and a subsequent drop in tourism revenues, the country is still paying a price for the traumatic incident.

A few months ago, reports emerged in Iranian media that a few foreign tourists had been taken advantage of. Officials at Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handcrafts and Tourism Organization are to implement instructions aimed at maintaining the present inflow of foreign tourists and preventing any damage to this positive and forward-moving trend.

In compliance with the instructions approved by the Supreme National Security Council, a Central Commission for Tourism Security Supervision has been set up to work under the secretariat of the Cultural Heritage, Handcrafts and Tourism Organization. Members of the commission come from the Interior Ministry, Foreign Ministry, Roads and Urban Development Ministry, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (state broadcaster), Intelligence Ministry, Cultural Heritage, Handcrafts and Tourism Organization and police.

Members of the commission are to work together to ensure tourist security and make tourist attractions more secure, minimize threats and risks and shore up tourism and develop services affiliated with it.

The commission is to have offices in the provinces to work under the Provincial Security Council to ensure that foreign tourists are all safe.

The obligations and commitments of all state and military bodies have been specified in the instructions.

Autumn in Iran’s North Khorasan Province in photos

By

Emad Askarieh

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December 17, 2014

Autumn is indeed the crowning glory of the year. It comes to tell the world that hot days of summer are gone and cold days of the winter are in the making. Whether in a garden or in nature, it creates unrivaled scenes of natural beauty.

The following are the photos Tasnim News Agency posted on its website on December 14 of autumn in Iran’s North Khorasan Province. Take a look:

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Gross reproduction rate has seen a fall in Iran

By

Emad Askarieh

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December 17, 2014

Haft-e Sobh, a daily, on December 16, published an analytical report on Iran’s declining gross reproduction rate. The following is a partial translation of the report:

“The yearly gross reproduction rate (GPR) – the average number of daughters that would be born to a woman (or a group of women) if she survived at least to the age of 45 and conformed to the age-specific fertility rate of a given year – has declined from 3 percent to 0.78 percent,” the secretariat of the Supreme Cultural Revolution Council reported.

Apart from a drop in the total fertility rate (TFR), the decline in GPR has opened up discussions in society.

“Presently, the rate of population growth is low and the total fertility rate and gross reproduction rate have both declined. Such a drop is regarded as a grave demographic challenge. Although a majority of countries across the world face a reduction in the total fertility rate, the pace of the fall in Iran has been so rapid that between 2005 and 2011 Iran was second only after Albania on the list of Islamic nations with the lowest TFR,” said Mohammad Eshaghi, who is in charge of the Planning and Coordination Department at the secretariat of the council.

“Based on UN 2012 Revision of World Population Prospects, which is a revision to the United Nations demographic estimates in 2010, in case of low fertility rate Iran will have a population of 55 million in 2100, and if the rate is high, it will have a population of 150 million,” he added.

Iran’s Judiciary Chief Slams US Human Rights Record

By

Emad Askarieh

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December 17, 2014

Iran’s Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadegh Amoli Larijani strongly criticized human rights conditions in the United States and condemned the recent killings of African-Americans by the US police.

Amoli Larijani pointed to the reports that (at least) one African-American is killed every day in the US, and lashed out at the American legal system for exonerating the police officers who kill unarmed citizens.

“The police even do not let the man on the ground be transferred to the hospital for a while,” the Iranian judiciary official added.

Grand jury decisions not to prosecute the white officers responsible for 18-year-old Michael Brown’s death and a fatal chokehold on New York father of six Eric Garner in July, have triggered weeks of protests across the US.

Thousands of American protestors have since taken to the streets to express their outrage over police brutality against people of color, demanding justice for black men killed by white police.

Earlier, Iran’s Foreign Ministry deplored racial discrimination against minorities, black people in particular, saying that the protests in the US unveiled realities about human rights condition in the country.

Iran builds resistant nano-composite for railroads

By

Emad Askarieh

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December 17, 2014

Iranian researchers have designed a nano-composite with desirable mechanical and resistance properties which can be used for different purposes, including construction of insulated parts in railroads.

Mostafa Isaei, a Sharif Poly Technique University graduate and one of the authors of the study, said, “The project investigated phenolic nanocomposites and fiberglass properties to be used for construction of insulated rail joints. It has also examined presence of clay nanoparticles in the two modified and non-modified forms.”

He added the study aims to replace common samples used in the existing railroad parts. The parts usually expose to different air conditions and should be highly resistant.

The researcher went on to say that the product can be used as an insulated composite in railroad and also in missiles and spacecraft which need high resistance in harsh weather conditions. Phenolic resin can highly resist pressure and temperature.

The results of the study have been published in Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing.

Iran Strongly Condemns Peshawar Terrorist Attack

By

Emad Askarieh

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December 17, 2014

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman on Tuesday condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack on a school in the Pakistani city of Peshawar.

“This is a totally un-Islamic and inhumane action,” Marziyeh Afkham said, adding that terrorism, extremism and putting innocent people’s lives at risk in any form and with any purpose are reprehensible.

She also expressed sympathy with the government and nation of Pakistan, especially the bereaved families of victims.

Afkham further said cooperation among the regional countries and the world community is necessary in order to fight terrorism and extremism.

At least 130 people, most of them students as young as 12, were killed and at least 122 others injured on Tuesday in a Taliban seizure of a military-run school in Peshawar.

The numbers of dead and injured may still rise as the casualties of the assault are counted.

Some 500 students and teachers were in the Army Public School on Warsak Road at the time of the attack. Pakistan’s military said most of the civilians escaped, but some had been taken hostage by the assailants.

Several militants dressed in Pakistani military uniforms entered the school compound on Tuesday at around noon. They torched a car at the site and proceeded with a raid on the facility.

The Pakistani Army responded to the emergency, dispatching security forces to cordon off the area and sending military helicopters for surveillance. A commando force arrived at the site.

In the ensuing battle with Pakistani security forces, all six militants were killed, according to the military. One of them is said to have detonated a suicide vest he was wearing, according tolocal media.

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Dec. 17

By

Emad Askarieh

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December 17, 2014

The massacre of schoolchildren at the hands of the Pakistani Taliban was the dominant front-page story in Iranian newspapers on Wednesday. “A bloody day in Peshawar,” one headline read. “Ruthless massacre of children,” said another. Also on the front pages of the dailies were the comments of the commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps on relations between the corps and the government of President Rouhani. Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari was quoted as saying that the president was not alluding to his men when he told an anti-corruption conference in Tehran last week if what they have at their disposal is given to anyone, they would become corrupt. Dailies also ran front-page reports on the Iranian-born Haron Monis who took hostages at a café in Sydney, Australia and was killed in a shootout with police after a 16-hour-long drama.

Abrar: “We are still away from reaching a settlement [in nuclear talks],” said Iranian negotiator Seyyed Abbas Araghchi.

Abrar: The chairman of the Expediency Council has said that if religious extremism is not harnessed, another IS will be created.

Afarinesh: “The government cannot report to the public the depth of the problems it has inherited [from its predecessor],” said Chairman of the Expediency Council Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.

Afarinesh: “Ties between the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) and the president are based on mutual respect,” said IRGC Commander Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari.

Afkar: The Stock Exchange has finally landed in positive territory.

Arman-e Emrooz: Massive changes in the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) following Mohammad Sarafraz’s takeover of the national broadcaster.

Asr-e Rasaneh: A ship full of foreign tourists is on its way to Iran.

Asrar: “We can run the country even without oil [revenues],” said Government Spokesman Mohammad Baqer Nobakht.

Ebtekar: Up to 130 people were killed in a Taliban attack on a school in Peshawar, Pakistan.

Etemad: First Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri has slammed the release by the media of the confidential [government] decisions.

Ettela’at: Iran’s top researchers and technologists have been rewarded in a ceremony [in Tehran].

Ettela’at: The European Union has said that it will cooperate with Iran and Russia to defuse the Syrian crisis.

Hemayat: “Reports on tortures in America are a reflection of the breakdown in morality,” said Judiciary Chief Sadegh Amoli Larijani

Hemayat: “The Sydney hostage taker was wanted by Iranian authorities for fraud,” said Police Chief Esmail Ahmadi Moghaddam.

Javan: “Three economists in parliament have warned President Rouhani that the fluctuations of foreign currency and gold markets as well as a volatile stock exchange could retrigger recession and inflation.”

Jomhouri Islami: “The Iranian government and nation stand by their rightful demands with tenacity,” said Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Jomhouri Islami:“The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) is not involved in trade, exports and imports,” said IRGC Commander Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari.

Kaenat: Iranians paid their final respects to veteran actor Anushirvan Arjmand on a rainy day.

Kayhan: “Some are trying to weaken Iranian opposition to the United States,” said the commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps.

Mardomsalari: “The law on free access to information could be revolutionizing,” said Deputy Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Hossein Entezami.

Mardomsalari: “The agency that makes decisions on the house arrest [of those who disputed the results of the 2009 presidential elections and thus caused chaos] is the Supreme National Security Council,” said Justice Minister Mostafa Pourmohammadi.

Qods: Parliament has taken the first step toward turning up the heat on corruption. It has drafted a bill that would oversee the creation of an organization to lead the fight against corruption. The organization will answer to the Supreme Leader.

Shahrvand: “Managers who were successful in the radio and TV organization have made a comeback to the national broadcaster.”

Sharq: “A reformist-majority parliament won’t be a terrifying project,” said Ali Motahari, a Tehran MP.

Sharq: “It is impossible to streamline the housing sector over a short period of time,” said the minister of roads and urban development.

SMT: Exports of Iran’s hand-woven carpets have registered a 25 percent hike.

President Rouhani: World has realized Syria fighting terrorism

By

Emad Askarieh

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December 17, 2014

President Hassan Rouhani says that the world has now realized the fact that Syria is involved in a battle against terrorism.

“Today, the world’s public opinion has realized the fact that the Syrian army and people are fighting against terrorist groups and foreign conspiracies,” Rouhani said during a meeting with Syrian Prime Minister Wael Nader al-Halqi in Tehran on Tuesday.

The crimes committed by terrorist groups in Iraq have exposed the true nature of terrorists and the conspiracy devised by enemies against the region and Islam, he added.

Rouhani stressed that the Syrian conflict can only be resolved through “domestic political negotiations.”

The Syrian premier thanked Iran for its support for the Arab country, saying Damascus is ready to consider any appropriate initiative to resolve the country’s crisis.

“The Syrian government and people appreciate the Iranian government and people for their support during the four-year cruel war against Syria,” Halqi said

The Syrian government will consider any initiative that does not infringe upon Syria’s national sovereignty and contributes to the country’s unity, he added.

Syria has been grappling with a deadly conflict since March 2011. The Western powers and their regional allies – especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey – are the main supporters of the militants operating inside Syria.

Over the past months, Syrian soldiers have made numerous gains in the battle against the foreign-sponsored militants, inflicting heavy losses on them in several areas.

More than 200,000 people have so far died in the conflict.

Iran FM blasts ME countries on falling oil prices

By

Emad Askarieh

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December 17, 2014

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has criticized the oil-producing countries of the Middle East for failing to control plummeting crude prices.

“It is regrettable that regional [oil-producing] countries are not cooperating on the falling oil prices and its negative implications,” Zarif said in a meeting with Iraqi Parliament Speaker Salim al-Jabouri in Tehran on Tuesday.

Oil prices have been falling throughout 2014, getting nearly halved since June as a result of declining demand and increased supplies.

On Tuesday, the price of Brent crude oil tumbled below USD 59 a barrel for the first time since May 2009.

The five-year low was exacerbated following a refusal by some major oil producers, including Saudi Arabia, to cut their crude output.

Zarif also expressed Tehran’s readiness to promote all-out ties with its western neighbor, especially in political, economic and parliamentary fields, saying Iraq’s progress and security is intertwined with that of Iran.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready, like before, to cooperate and consult with all regional countries on Iraq, and Iran is prepared to take effective measures in that regard,” Zarif added.

Jabouri, for his part, said that all Iraqi ethnic and religious groups were united in the fight against terrorist groups, including ISIL.

He also underlined the need for unity and solidarity among regional countries to contribute to stability and security, saying all regional nations, including Iran and Iraq, benefited from security in the Middle East.

Iraqi army soldiers, backed by volunteer forces, have been fighting ISIL for several months now.

The ISIL militants, who have seized swathes of land in Iraq and neighboring Syria, have been carrying out horrific acts of violence against all communities such as Shiites, Sunnis, Kurds and Christians, in both Arab states.