Posted on 02/14/2011 1:31:52 AM PST by AdmSmith
http://www.france24.com/en/20110214-iran-turkey-determined-strengthen-ties
Iran and Turkey determined to strengthen ties
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (left) waves as he welcomes Turkish President Abdullah Gul in Tehran at the start of his official four-day visit, accompanied by a large delegation of ministers and businessmen. Tehran and Ankara are determined to boost their political and economic ties, Ahmadinejad said. AFP - Iran and Turkey are determined to boost their political and economic ties, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told a joint press conference Monday with his visiting Turkish counterpart, Abdullah Gul.
“This cooperation (...) will rapidly bring our region to the political, cultural and economic fore,” which is “in the interest of peace and stability” in the region, Ahmadinejad said.
President Gul said there were “no obstacles to the development of cooperation between the two countries.”
“We had detailed discussions on key issues of mutual interest and important decisions have been taken,” Gul said.
“We have decided to give orders to our respective parties to remove all obstacles” identified in the talks as hindering cooperation between the two countries, he said without elaborating.
Gul arrived in Tehran on Sunday evening for a four-day official visit, heading a delegation of business leaders and ministers including Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.
Ahmadinejad took the public opportunity to thank “the Turkish president for his country’s position concerning Iran’s nuclear rights.”
Ankara has come to the defence of Iran while mediating difficult negotiations with major powers about the Islamic republic’s controversial nuclear programme.
Turkey recently said it would not apply US economic sanctions against Tehran, saying it would only respect measures passed by the United Nations Security Council.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (left) waves as he welcomes Turkish President Abdullah Gul in Tehran at the start of his official four-day visit, accompanied by a large delegation of ministers and businessmen. Tehran and Ankara are determined to boost their political and economic ties, Ahmadinejad said.
http://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/World+News/Middle+East/Iran ... May this news link help keep All close to current.
5:05 p.m. More reports coming in of Isfahan protests, and now confirmation of protests in Kermanshah, as well. Estimates in those two cities and Shiraz are of thousands of participants.
And we’ve confirmed from multiple sources that tear gas was indeed used in Tehran’s Valiasr Square to disperse protesters. Additional clashes are being reported there.
Hafte Tir Square has also been taken over by security forces like Azadi Square and protesters are finding it difficult to navigate through.
Thousands are silently marching on Enghelab Avenue toward Azadi Square. Clashes are breaking out along the route, with protesters being beaten by security forces, but the silent march continues.
Thanks for ping and tweet updates.
There’s no tv coverage here. Coverage of the Grammys, Fashion week and Valentine’s Day are much more important.
If there was no coverage of the demonstrations in Egypt, Mubarak would be running things as usual this morning.
Prayers and best wishes to the people of Iran for their freedom. Down with the dictator!
All Saints of Persia, pray for your people! Most Holy Theotokos, pray for Iran!!!!
Iran Standard Time (IRST), GMT+3:30
5:25 p.m. Iranian journalist and blogger Reza Valizadeh, now based in Paris, reports, “Gatherings of protesters in Revolution Sq; 7th Tir Sq; Ferdousi Sq; Sadeghieh Sq. and Vali Asr crosspoint and attack by special forces has been confirmed.” There are also reports of clashes at Sharif Industrial University and of the arrest of several students there.
Kaleme and Saham News — the websites, respectively, of Mousavi and Karroubi’s National Trust Party — are both down.
Rahe Sabz is reporting that riot police are mostly being used to control the protests. Not equipped with firearms, they are using their batons and shields to corner and disperse demonstrators.
The largest gatherings of protesters are near College Square, Valiasr Square, and around Azadi and Enghelab Squares. There are also reports of more protesters moving from College Bridge toward Enghelab Square. Security forces are present in most other parts of central Tehran and are trying to stop protesters from gathering there. Though Azadi Square, the intended endpoint of the march, is filled with security forces, many protesters have made it there and are waiting for others who are still on Enghelab Avenue and trying to reach the square.
Reports of many military helicopters flying over Tehran now. According to our sources, protesters are chanting very loudly around Enghelab Square. Sounds of “Allah-o akbar!” and “Ya Hossein! Mir Hossein!” are deafening. A lot of tear gas has been fired on protesters, but they still persevere and chant.
Kamran Ashtary tells us, “According to BBC News in Egypt, the print and broadcast networks in this country are covering the news regarding the 25 Bahman protests supporting the people of Egypt and Tunisia.”
5:55 p.m. A popular chant spins out new variations already. Now on the streets of Tehran, we’re hearing, “Khamenei haya kon! Mubarak ro negah kon!” (Khamenei, have some shame! Look at Mubarak!)
God Bless Neda...and may she still inspire her fellow Iranians for Freedom!
A police radio recording, describing “5,000 to 6,000 going from Vali Asr to Enghelab...”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUYxvIQnw_A&feature=player_embedded#at=71
It seems bizarre. I don't get it. Why ignore Iran...again?
It is bizarre.
They don’t have reporters there, but they could certainly be covering the reports coming in from alJazeera, alAribya, tweeets, youtube, etc.
I share your lack of optimism. Even if they did have media support, Iran is not Egypt. This is more likely to end up like Beijing 1989 than Berlin 1989.
Still, it would be deliciously ironic if the mullahs got a taste of their own medicine. Just because Iran may have helped encourage or even engineer the revolts in other countries doesn’t mean it won’t give their own people ideas.
However, while I sympathize with how badly this is likely to go for the Iranian people, anything that disrupts or distracts the Iranian regime is probably good for us.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHdcyue0bSw&feature=related ... Praising You in the Storm ... Iran know God is with You
Reports coming in on twitter of small number of people killed. There’s also lots and lots of video, some obviously from last year. Iranian gov’t trying to discredit reports?
There may be one glimmer of hope there, though. The government’s reliance on irregular paramilitaries like the Basij during last year’s riots probably indicates it’s lack of confidence in the political reliability of the Revolutionary Guards, let alone the regular army. It was, after all, reported that they arrested the Revolutionary Guards’ commander for refusal to use force on the protesters.
If those reports were accurate and if the Revolutionary Guards’ loyalty is still in question, then the mullahs may actually be in an even weaker position than was Mubarak. Caesars who can’t count on their own Praetorian Guard usually aren’t long for the world.
I’m pretty sure I read that his father was Sunni.
RT @UncoolBobby HRANA reports at least 250 arrests, 1 killed , 2 injured
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.