RUSSIA, IRAN SIGN MILITARY ACCORD

Iran Daily ^ | 10-02-01

[Ymani Cricket]

RUSSIA, IRAN SIGN MILITARY ACCORD

Ivanov Says Deal No Secret

MOSCOW, Oct. 2--Iranian Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani and his Russian counterpart Sergei Ivanov here Tuesday signed an agreement to bolster military cooperation.

"No third country will be threatened through the defense and military cooperation of the two countries," Shamkhani said after signing the accord.

Ivanov reiterated the two countries' opposition to the globalization of security and said promotion of any security cooperation among independent countries could play a major role in helping resolve international crises and reducing military tensions in the world.

The Russian defense chief, during his last round of talks with Shamkhani, reiterated that "Iran can play a key role in the region and the entire Middle East." He called Shamkhani's visit as "important" since it is taking place at a "sensitive time when the international fight against terrorism has been in the day's agenda of world countries."

"Russia and Iran in practice, and not in words, are fighting this plague of the century (terrorism)," Ivanov said.

He referred to the situation in Afghanistan as well as the production of illegal drugs in that country and said, "It is not hidden from anyone that Afghanistan has emerged as an international center of terrorism and pro-duction of narcotics."

Earlier in their talks, Shamkhani said regular security contacts between high-ranking officials of the two countries were "bright signs of a political will between Russia and Iran to play a complementary role in the security field."

"With the existence of common opportunities and threats in the international and regional security and the defense fields of the two countries, Russia has provided very suitable grounds for forging bilateral ties," the Iranian defense chief stressed.

The Itar-Tass news agency quoted unidentified Russian sources in the military-industrial complex as saying Iran wants to use Russian defense equipment at its 936-kilometer (577-mile) crime-infested border with Afghanistan.

It would be part of an overall military package the Iranians are seeking from Russia. According to the agency, the system would help Iran stop the flow of Meanwhile, Ivanov told a press confer-ence that the defense cooperation agreement signed by him and Shamkhani was not at all a secret and con-formed with all international norms.

The agreement was signed following President Mohammad Khatami's visit to Moscow which opened a new chapter in two-way relations. He said Moscow has signed similar agreements with other countries.

[DB]

Could be okay, could be bad. We will have to watch closely.

[Texas_Jarhead]

Putin playing both sides. No surprise I guess.

[Milosevic2]

There's a battle going on between total evil (NATO, moslem terrorists, ...) and good (Russia) with others (Iran, Iraq, Northern Alliance, ...).

[SauronOfMordor]

Putin playing both sides. No surprise I guess.

See also Bin Laden Linked to Russia

Curiouser and Curiouser

[Russell Scott]

The longer we wait, the more time our enemies have to participate in this kind of chicanery. I am sticking with my prediction: when the dust settles it will be the U.S., Israel, and Britain against the rest of the world. WW3 is here. I wouldn't make any future plans unless they include tons of prayers, and a close relationship with Jesus Christ.

[The Raven]

Are they out of their minds? Iran??

[Ed_NYC]

I would not trust them as far as I can throw them.

[Stavka2]

Believe it or not, but until the Khomani came in, Persia was always a rather tolerant and open minded state. It's also a republic, albait one in which the fanatics hold to damn much sway. But the people are pushing for change and freeom again and what better way then to help and court the more liberal elements. Of course, its a work in progress...today's "liberal" is tomorrow's closed minded fanatic...as their society opens up more and more. By blocking them off you only add fuel to the fire of the fanatics who are already loosing power.

[Hugo Guessit]

reminds one of the precursory agreements that caused World War I.

[mikhailovich]

Nice to hear from a voice of reason. Not a huffy, redneck Russia hater, of which this thread is nearly 100% comprised. That said, your post is dead-on accurate. Wonder what our resident hillbillies have to say about the US arms sale to China last year? "Oh, at's DIFF-ernt"

[Ymani Cricket]

true

[Stavka2]

Ahh, thank you for that lovely input Mr. Overseas_schumck or would you rather Racist? A little knowledge goes a long way...and you've got a long way to go to get that knowledge. Try educating yourself a bit about what's happening in the Rodina for the last 3 years...or does prostitution cause an average 6% growth rate for 3 years running? What's America's this year? 'Nough said.