Azerbaijan, Baku, Feb. 4 / corr Trend T.Jafarov /
Trend Persian Desk interview with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for work with Iranians residing abroad and consular issues Hasan Gashgavi, who was visiting Baku
Q: What meeting did you hold during your visit to Azerbaijan and which issues were under the discussion?
A: My visit to Azerbaijan had four goals. The most important was the one-sided cancellation of visa program with Azerbaijan beginning from Feb. 1 in connection with celebrations of the 31st anniversary of the Iranian Islamic Revolution. I would like to be with the Azerbaijani people on that day.
The second and the third goals of the visit are related to the participation in the opening of the second building of the embassy and the foundation laying of a many-storey building to be constructed through financing of the Iranian bank Saderat.
I had bilateral meetings with Azerbaijani officials. I met with my counterpart Azerbaijani deputy Foreign Minister Vagif Sadykhov. During the meeting we agreed upon resuming our consultations upon consular issues, which the two countries held last in 2005. It is planned to mull consular issues, exchange of prisoners, and problem of students. With this regard Mr. Sadykhov is scheduled to pay a visit to Iran to coordinate the format and place of discussions.
At the same time, I met with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and Parliamentary Speaker Oktay Asadov. Mr. Asadov is scheduled to pay a visit to Iran in the nearest month upon invitation of his Iranian counterpart Ali Larijani. During the meeting we discussed the development of bilateral relations.
Q: Over the past few years, assets of some Iranian companies, banks and individuals abroad have been suspended. What actions did Iran take to solve the problem? Were there any appeals to international organizations in this respect?
A: In accordance with requirements of the international laws and conventions on consular issues, two agencies at the Iranian Foreign Ministry protect Iranians' rights. We ought to defend our citizens' rights. One of them is the Agency for work with Iranians, which functions directly under my supervision and control. The other is the Agency for legal issues of the ministry. These two agencies, interacting with each other, hold consultations with local and foreign law-defenders.We work to prevent illegal suspension of assets and to tackle this problem. Assets were suspended beyond the legal procedures with regard to strengthen political pressures on the private sector in Iran in an illegal way. Work on each issue is held separately. Our embassies in foreign countries where the assets have been suspended carry out work to solve the problem.
Q: Ten Iranians are kept in custody in the U.S. What actions does Iran take to achieve their liberation?
A: All arrested are innocent. It will take much time to cite their names and the reasons for their arrest. For instance, Iranian trader Ardabili, who was detained in Georgia, was engaged exclusively in trading activities. Ardabili was engaged in trading within the framework of international law and laws of this country. Unfortunately, the Georgian government extradited Mr. Ardabili to the U.S. under the pretext of existence of an agreement on extradition of prisoners between the U.S. and Georgia.
Ardabili's family is very much concerned on his fate. They could not find any other evidence showing he was involved in other activities rater trading. The issue is on focus of the Iranian parliament. Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchohr Mottaki was called to the parliament to provide a report in this respect. This is our duty to put the protection of Iranian citizens' rights as a priority of our diplomacy. We are decisive in protecting rights and dignity of Iranians in any corner of the world.
Q: What program on assistance to Afghanistan does Iran possess and what are the obstacles in large-scale cooperation with regard to solve this problem?
A: Obviously, we, as a neighboring country, want peace and stability to reign in Afghanistan and we want the country to develop. It is clear the developments ongoing in the Afghanistan cannot pass by us. Unfortunately, according to statistic data, within five years of occupation of Afghanistan by the West, there was not held any action to develop the country and to reduce the drugs plantings. Perhaps, the sown areas and drugs plantings increased by several times. Facts of violation of the stability have increased and unfortunately, actions in rebuilding the infrastructure are also slow. Real situation in Afghanistan indicates that problem of this country cannot be solved in an armed way. If it was possible through bringing troops, then there would be a positive result.
The second question concerning the Afghanistan problem is that some powerful countries pursue their own interests under the veil of fighting against extremities. Unfortunately, the statistics we have says namely for that reason the drugs production has increased and instability reigns in Afghanistan. We think resolution of problems emerging in every country and every region can be achieved through cooperation of the countries in the region. Trilateral talks were organized with the participation of foreign ministers of Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Several months ago Tehran hosted a meeting of presidents of the three countries. Last year foreign ministers of three countries met in Islamabad. We think the countries in the region are much more concerned on the resolution of problems as compared to other countries. Therefore, we hope there will be achieved a result on the resolution of Afghanistan problem by the help of mechanism on participation of countries in the region and of course other countries. Japan can be viewed as an example. Japan wanted to join the trilateral discussions with participation of Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. We hailed it and they also joined the discussions.
We are interested in joining of other countries to the trilateral discussions. I mean the countries which have relations to the region. It can be a very good experience on the resolution of problems in Afghanistan.
Q: The U.S. State Department stated on the necessity of pressuring on China to impose new sanctions against Iran. What is your position in this respect?
A: The Iranian Foreign Minister has replied to Mrs. Clinton's statement. The truth is that to achieve successes in future it is necessary to cast a glance at the past. A sword of sanction is covered by rust and has not impacted in any way on the Iranian officials' will.
The sanctions have continued for almost 30 years. Since the first day of the victory of the Iranian Islamic Revolution we have lived in an atmosphere of sanctions under different pretexts and reasons.
We should view whether the sanctions had any impact on Iran? The reason is that Iran is a large country. Iran covers many of its needs at the expense of domestic opportunities. Namely due to these sanctions we have learned to demonstrate such endurance. Sanctions play a role of vaccine for us. Vaccine is a small microbe, which gradually strengthens body. So, the sanctions did not have any impact, but in the contrary contributed to our strengthening. We think our policy is clear and grounded. There is no necessity in imposing sanctions against Iran under the international law. Problems can be solved through discussions.
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