Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega gestures during his speech in Tehran University, June 10. (Fars Photo)

TEHRAN, June 10--Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega said on Sunday Iran and Nicaragua have common aspirations.
Speaking in Tehran University on solidarity between Iranian and Nicaraguan nations, Ortega noted that the revolutions of Iran and Nicaragua took place in 1979 and both pursued justice, freedom, sovereignty and the drive against imperialism, ISNA reported.
He greeted Iranian youngsters in the Persian language which was followed by the gathering’s cheering.
“With the passage of time, the world appears smaller and humans have come to believe that God created the earth for their wellbeing. It is not strange to see the combatants of Latin America like Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez come to a university and address the younger generation,“ he said.
Ortega pointed out that the struggles of the Nicaraguan and other Latin American nations are the same as those currently continuing in the Middle East.
“We have begun a struggle for our independence and this is exactly what the Iranians, Palestinians and African nations are doing,“ he said.
He stressed that a new era of struggle has begun and the people are vigilant.
“Nations are aware that imperialism is trying to marginalize them. They also know that imperialism wants to oppress the world’s nations,“ he said.
The Nicaraguan president noted that after the collapse of the former Soviet Union, it was the motto of Sandinistas that they will never surrender and actually did not surrender. This was followed by the university students’ applause.
“The struggles of Iranian nation have always been influenced by the spiritual and political leadership of the late Imam Khomeini,“ he said.
Also on Sunday, the Nicaraguan President met with the Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, following talks with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
The details of Ortega’s meeting with the leader were not available at the time of going to print.
The two presidents, however, underlined the extensive commonalities between the two friendly nations and expressed their willingness to expand Tehran-Managua cooperation in various fields.
Emphasizing the need for maintaining the revolutionary spirit and the use of natural resources in rebuilding their respective countries, Ahmadinejad and Ortega stressed on joint investments and cooperation in the fields of energy, agriculture, livestock breeding, fishery and construction of ports and power plants.
Ortega arrived in Tehran on Sunday for a two-day visit to Iran at the head of a delegation.

Seyyed Morteza Nematzadeh

June 5 to 12 remind Muslims of the occupation of Al-Aqsa Mosque, one of the holiest Muslim sites, by the Israeli forces in 1967.
After the six-day Israeli-Arab war, the occupation forces confiscated the keys of the western doors of Bab Al-Maghreb and took control when the Jordanians fled the city.
In 2000, Ariel Sharon, the then Israeli premier, visited the mosque and instigated large-scale demonstrations. This marks the start of the second Intifada (uprising).
Seyyed Morteza Nematzadeh, the Society for Defending the Palestinian Nation’s deputy for international affairs, elaborated on different aspects of the Intifada and the defense of Palestinians on the anniversary of the Al-Aqsa Mosque’s occupation in an interview with Iran Daily’s Amir Tajik.
Nematzadeh, a political prisoner before the victory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, is a senior analyst on Middle East issues. He was Iran’s cultural attachŽ to Syria and headed the IRIB bureau in Lebanon. Excerpts:

AMIR TAJIK: How relevant is Imam Khomeini’s famous words that Israel should disappear from the face of the world?
SEYYED MORTEZA NEMATZADEH: Imam Khomeini’s words regarding Israel motivated the Palestinian resistance while the world powers were securing Israel’s legitimacy. It gave a new turn to the peace process. Israel’s allies wanted peace talks on the line of Camp David which would assuage the anger of Muslim nations. However, Imam Khomeini discussed a new strategy that influenced the Islamic resistance in Lebanon and Palestine. Even the Muslim world was inspired by his words.
At present, it is possible to implement this strategy because the disappearance of Israeli regime is not a far-reaching idea. This does not mean that Israel can disappear in one day, in one month or in a year. If Muslims continue their efforts and if the Islamic movements in Lebanon and Palestine pursue their prudent resistance against Israeli conspiracies, we can hope to see Israel disappear from the world’s map.
Israel is facing new crises in its occupied territories, but its security crisis has no precedent. Israelis are suffering from an identity crisis.
Its nation-building strategy of bringing homeless Jews from all over the world to the occupied Palestinian territories in order to form a Jewish nation has failed. Israel’s army, which emerged as an undefeatable army, has now become a failed army. So there are many reasons to believe that Israel can disappear. Since the present political atmosphere does not approve of this attitude, Iran should support resistance movements in order to confront the Zionist regime and America’s hegemony. We should look forward to implement Imam’s decree on the basis of the current world situation.

Do you think Iranian officials today care as much about Palestine as Imam Khomeini?
The Iranian officials are following the Imam’s strategies on Palestine seriously and strongly. We need some other factors as well. We are obliged to promote people’s awareness about Palestine and Imam’s views. It is very important to win their support. The more we study Iran’s dispute with Islam’s enemies, the more we’ll realize that Palestine is the root cause of this conflict. That’s why the hegemonic media wish to prevent the Iranian nation from supporting Palestinians. They want to create a wedge between the people and the government, and we should follow the issue of Palestine prudently in the regional and international arena.
We should motivate the people to support Palestinians seriously. Our media should follow new policies and respond to ambiguities over Iran’s aid to the Palestinians. We should let the people decide by relying on their knowledge about Palestine and resistance movements.
If the media were to reconsider their policies, people will definitely select the Imam’s path. Iran’s media reports on Palestine are quantitatively sufficient but not qualitatively. That’s why we could not fully attract people’s support in this regard.

What is the difference between Iran’s support for Palestinians and that of Arab countries? For instance, Saddam’s regime always called itself a true supporter of Sunni Palestinians.
The difference between faithful support and unfaithful support for the Palestinian people is small. The Arab regimes’ support for Palestinians is due to pressures from their nations and public opinion. We all know they have clandestine ties with Israel and do not wish to challenge the Zionist regime. Their dependence on America does not allow them take any step against Israel’s interests.
Saddam wanted to attract the attention of Arab countries by supporting the Palestinian nation and withstanding American pressures. The truth is that Saddam did not support Palestinians faithfully. He only fired some missiles toward Israel when attacked by America during the Persian Gulf War in 1991.Those missiles did not help Palestinians. On the contrary, Israel was presented as an oppressed regime and took many advantages from Arab and western countries, including the Madrid Conference and the Oslo Accord.
The true and faithful support is that of Lebanon’s Hezbollah. It defeated the so-called invincible army of Israel and openly supported Palestinians. Hezbollah shattered Israel’s image in the region and among its Arab and western allies.
The support of Iran is different from that of Arab countries. It is based on attracting public opinion.

What do you think was Intifada’s root cause?
Imam Khomeini’s views, which were transmitted from Lebanon to Palestine, led to the Intifada. Iran supports all Palestinian groups that enjoy the support of Palestinian nation and not groups fighting for their own interests without any public support.
The support for Muslim nations is reiterated in Iran’s Constitution. Its parliament has also ratified a law to support Palestine. Iran’s leader has also said Palestine tops the international issues of the Muslim world.

Why is this not fully appreciated?
I believe Iran values the issue of Palestine in the national arena while it still needs more dynamism. Our policy should be based on clear and transparent strategies with a long-term perspective. An independent decision-making center is necessary.
Iran supports the Palestinian resistance but still needs more media attention to foil the plots of enemies and respond to their allegations. I think religious sources like theological schools and religious authorities should play a more prominent role. Friday prayer leaders should also play their role in safeguarding Imam Khomeini’s heritage of supporting Palestinians.

TEHRAN, June 10--A senior official said on Sunday Americans have besieged Russia between the forces of North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the North Pole’s icebergs.
Addressing a seminar attended by officials of the Islamic Revolution’s Guards Corps (IRGC) in the holy city of Mashhad (Khorasan Razavi province), Ali Akbar Velayati, the leader’s advisor for international affairs, noted that Americans have besieged Russia as a result of NATO’s expansion up to the Chinese borders, Fars News Agency reported.
Velayati, who is also a former foreign minister, stressed that the issue of establishing ties with the US has always had its opponents and proponents since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
“The late Imam Khomeini and Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei have followed up this issue with special sensitivity and whenever they witnessed any deviation they directed the people to the right path,“ he said.
Commenting on the reason for not establishing diplomatic ties with the US and noting that the US was the last country that dominated Iran, the official noted that after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, obstacles hindering Iran’s independence had to be removed.
“One obstacle was the monarchic regime of former Pahlavi king, Mohammad Reza Shah, and other obstacles were two superpowers, the US and the former Soviet Union,“ he said.
Velayati pointed out that the most serious challenge faced by Islamic Republic of Iran after the collapse of the former Soviet Union is US voracity.
“Only na•ve people believe that if Iran negotiates with the US all problems will be resolved,“ he said.

TEHRAN, June 10--Foreign Ministry Spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini said on Sunday Turkmen President Gurbanguli Berdymukhamedov will visit Iran on June 15.
Speaking in his weekly press conference, Hosseini noted that Berdymukhamedov during a two-day visit to Tehran will discuss projects ranging from road construction and utilities such as water and electricity.
Hosseini also said that deputy secretary of Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), Javad Vaeedi, will meet the European Union Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana on Monday. However, he did not mention the meeting’s venue.
Reiterating the fact that Iran’s stance on suspension of uranium enrichment has not changed, Hosseini pointed out that suspension of uranium enrichment as a precondition for talks with EU is not acceptable.
Commenting on Solana’s recent statements about Iran’s nuclear case, he said Solana reiterated that the UNSC should not pursue a radical approach vis-ˆ-vis Iran’s case because he believes such a radical stance will negatively influence the course of negotiations.
“What Solana said is quite rational and he has a positive stance toward Iran,“ he said.
Asked about remarks by former US secretary of defense, William Perry, who accused Al-Qaeda of involvement in suicide bombings of a US military base in Khobar Towers of Saudi Arabia, the spokesman confirmed that Perry has identified the main suspect as Al-Qaeda and not Iran.
“This is while Iran was formerly accused of involvement in the Khobar bombings,“ he said.
Asked about the effectiveness of talks between Larijani and Solana, the official opined that the results of the first round of talks between Tehran and Washington should be analyzed and then Iran will be ready for continuing the dialogue. Expressing regret over the statement by the Group of 8 industrial states, he said this statement has no legal validity.
“The G8 statement insists on suspension of Iran’s uranium enrichment activities and imposition of more sanctions on Iran without paying attention to reports by the International Atomic Energy Agency on Iran and Iran’s international commitments,“ he said.
Commenting on Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega’s visit on Sunday to Tehran, Hosseini noted that Ortega will confer with Iran’s top officials and sign memoranda of understanding in the fields of energy, agriculture and techno-engineering services.

TEHRAN, June 10--Former Iranian Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani said the enemies are aware of Iran’s military capabilities.
Speaking in an interview with the weekly “Defense News“, Shamkhani added that those who beat the drums of war know that Iran can confront any US attacks, Fars News Agency reported.
“The US military action may threaten Iran, but most of those who speak about the war option are aware that Iran has the capability to face this threat,“ he said.
He noted that the American and Israeli allegations against Iran’s involvement in sectarian differences between the Iraqi Shiites and Sunnis are baseless.
“This is an American and Israeli lie aimed at covering their failures in Iraq,“ he said.
Shamkhani said if Americans were to make a mistake and attack Iran, Tehran will target special areas in the region, including some Arab countries that help the US justify its possible aggression.
“Allegations by some Arab Persian Gulf states that the Iranian nuclear program poses an environmental threat to the region and that it would spark a nuclear arms race are aimed at helping the US legitimize its anticipated aggression against Iran,“ he said.

TEHRAN, June 10--A senior lawmaker said on Sunday gasoline consumption has increased by 10 percent at the start of the Iranian month Khordad (May 22).
Seyyed Emad Hosseini, rapporteur of Majlis Energy Commission, also added that according to an approved law, the government should start gasoline rationing, ISNA reported.
“Although some analyses indicated that gasoline consumption would decline with the use of smart gasoline cards, it has increased by 10 percent since the start of this month,“ he said.
Hosseini made the comment after a meeting between Nematzadeh, managing director of National Oil Refining and Distribution Company, and the commission members.
He noted that members of Majlis Energy Commission have asked the government to announce the date for initiating gasoline rationing.
“We have advised 5 to 6 gallons per day for each fuel card and the government has proposed a rate for offering the free market fuel,“ he said.

TEHRAN, June 10--Iran’s permanent representative to the United Nations on Saturday lodged a protest at the United Nations against the US for conducting sabotage and spying activities in Iran.
The protest focused on the US move to set up Jundollah’s terrorist networks along with spy networks for conducting sabotage operations in Iran.
In the letters, which have been registered and released as documents at the UN General Assembly and Security Council, the representative office noted that such hostile acts by the US indicate its interference in the internal affairs of Iran, which contradict the principles and regulations of international conventions and the Algiers Accord between the two countries.
The US media have recently revealed that the US administration is supporting the terrorist group Jundollah as well as arming drug traffickers in southeastern Iran.
The US administration has also established spy networks and dispatched agents to Iran for carrying out terrorist and sabotage acts against Iranian institutes and establishments.

KABUL, Afghanistan, June 10--Taliban guerrillas made a failed attempt to kill Afghan President Hamid Karzai with a rocket attack on Sunday, narrowly missing a building where he was giving a speech, Taliban and the government said.
Rockets fell several hundred meters from the government building southwest of Kabul and some of the audience began to flee, but Karzai urged them to stay and finished his speech, a government official and a witness told Reuters.
“Terrorists and enemies of Afghanistan fired three rockets towards the speech venue of Hamid Karzai and the firing of the rockets did not cause any interruption in the program of the president,“ the palace said in a statement after Karzai concluded his trip.
No one was hurt and Karzai, who has already survived two assassination attempts in recent years, was whisked away after his speech under heavy security, a witness said.
Several helicopters operated by Western forces, part of Karzai’s security arrangement, were hovering above the site of the meeting at the time of the strike, he added.
A Taliban spokesman, Qari Mohammad Yousuf, said the Taliban knew that Karzai would be attending the meeting in Andar district of Ghazni province and they fired 12 rockets.
Karzai has been leading Afghanistan since the Taliban’s removal from power by US-led forces in 2001, but his critics call him “mayor of Kabul“ because they feel his power does not extend beyond the capital, which is fortified by foreign troops.
The government official said the president’s visit to Ghazni was a routine provincial trip, though the area has seen repeated recent clashes between Taliban and Western and Afghan troops.
Karzai usually travels under tight security by his US-trained Afghan bodyguards and foreign forces.
Conflict has been worsening in Afghanistan, with more than 5,000 people killed in the past 17 months, the bloodiest violence since the Taliban’s ouster.