Posted on 06/23/2006 12:51:27 AM PDT by familyop
Edited on 06/23/2006 2:55:31 AM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
Tehran, 21 June (AKI) - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has called for closer relations with Italy, Iranian state news agency IRNA reported on Wednesday just hours ahead of a meeting between the two countries' foreign ministers in Rome. In a message to the newly elected Italian president Giorgio Napolitano, Ahmadinejad cited "deep-rooted and old ties between Tehran and Rome" and said they should lead to greater cooperation.
Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Excerpt. Read more at ADNKI
The Iranian import partners are:
Germany 12.8%, France 8.3%, Italy 7.7%, China 7.2%, UAE 7.2%, South Korea 6.1%, Russia 5.4% (2004)
The Iranian export partners (petroleum 80%, chemical and petrochemical products, fruits and nuts, carpets) are:
Japan 18.4%, China 9.7%, Italy 6%, South Africa 5.8%, South Korea 5.4%, Taiwan 4.6%, Turkey 4.4%, Netherlands 4.1% (2004)
However it is false that Iran is one of Italy's main export markets. This market is too small for the quite powerful Italian economy that it would be irreplaceable. Same thing with Germany and France. The main problem I see are the Japanese who buy a big portion of their oil from Iran. If those countries (Japan, Germany, France, Italy) would join into a complete embargo (no buy - no sell), Ahmadinejad would be in really bad trouble.
I doubt that it will happen, since the economical price to do so is really high. Anyway it would be better than any war. The question is, how valueable Israel will be to those 4 nations.
Since it is nearly impossible to attack the US directly with WMDs they could use terror groups that infiltrate big cities in the States. Same thing with Israel that has a quite effective rocket-defense (Arrow-system).
BTW - Germany did more for Israel than anybody else recently since we gave them the second-strike-abillity:
The former German chancellor Helmut Kohl decided to equip Israel with 2 new Dolphin Class submarines for free after realizing the eminent threat through Iraqi chemical weapons in the early 90ties. In 1995, Germany and Israel finalised an agreement for a third submarine, that was paid by half through Germany.
In the fall of 2005, Israel and Germany reached an agreement for the purchase of two additional submarines from Germany. One third of the 1 billion euro cost will be donated by Germany while the rest will be paid for by Israel. These boats are exptected to be similar to the advanced Type 214 or Type 212A submarines, modified to about 2,000 ton displacement and propelled by AIP systems. Press reports have also indicated that Israel is interested in outfitting its existing Dolphin fleet with AIP systems and other upgrades.
The Dolphin class is a non-nuclear type of submarine developed and constructed by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft AG (HDW) for the Israeli Navy. It is the predecessor to and similar in design to the German Type 212 submarine. The Dolphin boats are considered to be some of the most sophisticated and capable conventional submarines in the world. Since the US have no modern conventional submarines in their production Israel is reliant on European deliveries, since they lack the technology and abilities to build such advanced equipment on their own.
The Dolphins are equipped with the nuclear armed Popeye Turbo cruise missle system. This gives Israel a nuclear second strike abillity against agressive countries like Pakistan, Iran or Syria and is a fundamental part of the security of Israel. It is the sure one way ticket to hell for all Mullahs who think that they could wipe out jews and judaism on this planet. More helpful than all unrealistic dreams about "beheading-strikes" with inapplicable Israeli planes in Iran or elsewhere.
The ships were by large parts a gift of Germany. Maybe we Europeans are not consent with every American or Israeli operation, but we try to be helpful.
Guess he is taking aim at wiping out the Vatican if he can't get Israel anytime soon.
I'm sorry about not being more specific the first time. Nearly half of the French are anti-Israel. Most of the Japanese don't care one way or another about Israel. Most Italians and Britons who have opinions on the matter are anti-Israel.
AKI has to be excerpted?
The Italians can be a funny bunch, but I would be surprised if they truly want to align themselves too closely with this nutjob.
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