Iranian ambassador to Algeria: Algerian officials congratulated Hassan Nacer Allah for victory in 2006

Iran has faced the fiercest campaign led by the United States of America for years within a plan in favour of Israel. Nuclear weapons have been used as a Trojan horse to weaken Iran. Earlier, a similar plan was carried out in Iraq; that means the US does not make the difference between Muslims either Sunni or Shia. It believes that what is successful with a country will do well with another one.

 Iran has faced the fiercest campaign led by the United States of America for years within a plan in favour of Israel. Nuclear weapons have been used as a Trojan horse to weaken Iran. Earlier, a similar plan was carried out in Iraq; that means the US does not make the difference between Muslims either Sunni or Shia. It believes that what is successful with a country will do well with another one.Iran has not declined. The government is still in touch with the world’s nations except one country. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has invited his Algerian counterpart President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to pay a visit to Iran.For his part, Hossein Abdi Abyaneh, the Iranian ambassador to Algeria told Echoroukonline about relationships between Algeria and Iran as well as current events in the world and his country’s position toward them.

 We thank you for having accepted to have an interview with your Excellency anticipating President Bouteflika’s visit to The Islamic Republic of Iran. Thank you as well and welcome Your Excellency, what can you say about the forthcoming visit of President Bouteflika especially that it is the second after the one paid in 2003 when Iranian President Mohammad Khatami was in power. 

In the name of God, Most Gracious and Most Merciful; This visit came at the invitation of his Excellency President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. The invitation was conveyed by Algerian Minister of War Veterans who was on a visit to Iran in January. This visit has a state visit aspect and will have a big impact on relationships process between the two countries.In addition to both presidents’ agendas which will deal with bilateral relationships, talks will be held and visions will be exchanged on Iraq, Palestine and Afghanistan.

As you see, the visit comes at a very important time with big international interactions in Persian Gulf.Both presidents will deal with bilateral relationships. Would you mind telling us which level those relationships have reached after pervious presidential visits exchanged between the leaders of Algeria and Iran? Honestly, the relationships level has not reached satisfaction especially in terms of economy. Last year, we reached 300 percent in economic exchanges between Algeria and Iran; which did not happen this year.

This regressed but we hope to improve them more. That will be certainly done with the help of God and the will of officials in Iran and Algeria.Politically speaking, there is an exchange of visits. As for cultural level, Iran has recently organised a first cultural week in Algeria inaugurated by the Algerian culture minister Ms. Khalida Toumi and the Iranian president’s advisor for culture M. Mehdi Mestafaoui. 

What is the reason for not reaching a satisfying level in trems of economic and commercial exchanges?  

 As far as I know, TV media is the influential factor in the level of economic and commercial exchanges. Unfortunately, there is no Algerian TV representation in Iran and there is no Iranian one in Algeria as well. This kind of media can transmit a live and real image on investment opportunities in the two countries as well as fields with which each country can deal in the other one. Both sides have to work on it.You can also notice that distance between Iran and Algeria is too far. We are in the Persian Gulf and Algeria is in the Mediterranean Sea. This factor influences on economic exchanges but this distance can be reduced or definitely negated by TV media especially. In brief, we need constant communication to ensure permanent and continuing cooperation.

 What about the assembly plant of Iranian cars in Algeria as it constitutes a concrete aspect of the economic cooperation between the tow countries? 

Certainly, you have noticed Iranian cars in Algeria and Algerians use them in Algiers or any other cities. That means it started working well in this context. Concerning cars assembly plant especially small buses, Algeria and Iran have signed contracts and things are seriously going on. The plant will be ready next year with God willing.  The two Algerian and Iranian leaders may deal with the “gas Opec”. President Bouteflika has expressed his approval during his last visit to Russia. Iran is one of the countries which support this new energy cartel. Could you tell us about consultations in this regard and what the “gas Opec” is for? Yes, Iran, Russia, Qatar, Algeria and other energy producer countries constitute big basis for the “gas Opec” project. This project hinders many enemies’ interests.   

Algerian officials headed by President Bouteflika know that. The two presidents will hold talks on this topic.Dossiers between the countries which consider establishing this new organisation are in the process of preparation. Talks between Bouteflika and Ahmadinejad on “gas Opec” come while Algerian energy minister presides the Opec. I consider him as an expert and commonly known in this field. He will be very useful in our new organisation. I confirm that this new organisation will be in favour of the two sides: energy producer and consumer countries.   There is exploitation from consumers in the gas market. They buy gas at low price and resell it at very high prices.

It is not fair especially for multinational corporations. Middlemen and speculators benefit from the operation the most. They have gained fortunes from this market. All of them buy gas from us at given prices and sell it at the price they want. We will not accept that any more. That’s why; we will create our own gas organisation.

Those exploiters are against this organisation. We will set up the “gas Opec” to get rid of the yoke of the exploiters. Thus, the gas price will not be higher than it is now. “Gas Opec” will face them. These are our goals in this project. The fact of being interested in energy has put Iran in “restricted area” according to the powerful countries’ laws in the world especially the United States. The restricted area is the “nuclear energy.” Because of that, you are suffering from a big crisis.

 Could you us about more details on your nuclear issue which has been the world’s preoccupation for years? 

Our project in the nuclear energy is a peaceful one. Every one knows that the current energy consisting in oil and gas will soon used up; that means in 30 to 40 years according to experts’ estimations. The powerful countries have started thinking of replacing that energy by the nuclear one. In Iran, we are doing the same thing and we have the right to do that; don’t we have? 

You are accused of nuclear armament and the powerful countries are preparing sanctions against you.

 We have opened our facilities to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Their cameras are keeping watch on them. Reports of the US intelligence and the IAEA’s last report confirmed that there was nothing wrong in our issue.  I think that every thing is clear now. So, what do they want more? In our religious belief in Iran, possessing mass destruction weapons is prohibited. Political and diplomatic norms do not allow the possession of such weapons. The use of that kind of weapons is a war crime and criminals must be sanctioned including the United States which were behind the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War II.

 Israel also used prohibited weapons in its war against the Lebanese Hezbullah in summer 2006. Nuclear weapons have no value for us but the nuclear energy means a lot for us. We use it in medicine, agriculture, electricity and many fields. Its benefits are uncountable and we will not give them up.The real danger in the region is Israel which says that it has nuclear weapons. It has 400 nuclear missiles. So, why don’t they inspect Israel’s atomic and nuclear facilities? Israel did not sign Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). It still rejects it so far. When IAEA chief Mohammad Al Baradei went to Tel Aviv and asked for signing the treaty, they refused and did not allow him visiting their nuclear reactors and centres.

 Is there any nuclear agreement between Iran and Algeria?  

No, not at all. I confirm that there is no such agreement between the two countries. What would happen if the Algerian government asks for help from Iran in nuclear field to support its reactors?  This sort of cooperation is limited by strict laws. We don not have to forget that Iran and Algeria are members at NPT. That needs time and respect of those laws. If the Algerian government submits a demand to Iran, we will cooperate according to the international laws. We are limited by them.

 Powerful nations are attracted by the Gulf region. The last visit of French President Nicolas Sarkozy came up with big financial contracts as part of providing the region’s countries with peaceful nuclear reactors. What do you think about that? 

Coloniser has many ways to colonise new lands or to come back to former colonies. Algeria and North African’s countries know that. France does not respect its commitments and treaties with states. For instance, there was an agreement between Iranians and French in nuclear field especially with EURODIF. We agreed on having 10 percent of uranium enriched by this company. This agreement was signed in 1975. Since then, we have not got any atom from what we had agreed on. This is our experience with French. 

What is the matter in the hostility between you and America? Does it have something to do with the Islamic revolution and the expulsion of Chah who represented America in the region? How things are going on between you?

 Late imam Khomeini said relationships between us and America was like the relation between wolf and sheep. The United States of America believes that it is superior in the world and we will not accept this logic. Relations between us and them will not be normal only if they change their mentality of being the “Lord.” All nations in the world are equal but Americans refuse to give up the dream of “ruling the world.” America wants the world be dependant on it and under its domination. We do not accept that. We want to be independent in making decisions. America which is our present enemy and tries to prevent us from possessing the nuclear energy advised us once to have 20 nuclear centres when Chah was in power. At that time, the Iranian population was estimated at 20 million. Now, there are 75 million Iranians. Now, America tells us that we are not allowed to possess nuclear centres!! 

 According to the US logic when Chah was in power, you need 75 nuclear centres?

  Yes; that’s right according to their logic when Chah was in power. When the Islamic revolution in Iran succeeded and Chah was kicked out, late Algerian President Houari Boumediene asked late Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to not stand against the Islamic revolution, was it a right piece of advice? America which was driven out from the region throughout Chah came back again throughout Arab regimes? Late Persident Boumediene was a respectful man and a great leader. I believe that his advice to President Saddam Hussein was good. Unfortunately, no was listened to it. Imam Khomeini kicked out Chah who was the US eye there but Saddam committed an unforgivable mistake which led to a merciless war on Iraqis, Iranians and Muslims. We wanted to mobilised and reinforce the region to face dangers but the Iraqi-Iranian war had weakened it. The region is still under embargo.

 You have managed to manage your nuclear issue in spite of all pressures. Do you think that you managed the crisis or you were managed by it? Theories in political sciences and diplomatic relations deal with crisis management and managing relations with crisis? 

We have managed the crisis. Thanks to Iran, the entire world including the powerful and weak nations can now talk about peaceful nuclear energy after it was very dangerous to deal with such matter. We have broken this red line and defended the developing countries’ right in possessing peaceful technology and nuclear energy. This issue is now a public one brought up by every one.   The IAEA has to help the countries which want to get peaceful nuclear energy and exploit it as it is a right for everyone.

 Lebanon is suffering from domestic problems controlled by foreign parts. Syria which is threatened and Iran is in the “heart of hurricane.” Can we say that what is happening in those two countries is a continuity of destructing plan starting by Iraq and Lebanon and going to Syria as preparing for destructing Iran, the main target? Is Saudi Arabia involved in this plan according to the US strategy? 

This is the American dream. They are working on shaking Lebanon but it is no more than a dream. Lebanese officials led by Hussein Necer Allah are very smart. This iron man faced Israel and his people consider him as a father.

 Some people say that Nacer Allah is your man in Lebanon and he is executing an Iranian plan. 

Everyone can say anything. We have a religious and moral relation with Hesbollah. We supported Hezbollah in its war against Israel in 2006. Algerian officials stood by its side. Former Algerian President Ahmed Ben Bella told me that if former Egyptian Djamel Abdenacer was alive, they would have supported Hassan Nacer Allah against Israel. Algerian officials congratulated M. Hassan Nacer Allah for his victory.Hezbollah made a miracle which Arabs had failed in it in spite of their huge money. Hezbollah was struggling with faith. It is a small group and not a regular and trained army. Hezbollah is now at the height of his power and ready to liberate the rest of Lebanese land especially Shebaa Farms.Americans want to weaken Hezbollah and Syria to reach Iran but it is still a dangerous dream for them. We are not Iraq and we are not Afghanistan. If they try to enter Iran, they will get a historical response. 

Could you tell us about the nature of this response? 

We hope that this day will not come. In Iran’s history, we have never started any war. If we are attacked, we will have the legitimate right in self-defence. We are 75 million people and at least 40 million of us will be like M. Hassan Nacer Allah’s men in their courage. The world will see a power they have never sought before. 

Hezbollah is working on revenge for Imad Meghnia, its security leader who was killed by Mossad as stated by M. Hassan Nacer Allah. Were you hit by the murder of Meghnia as some people say “he is your product”?

 Imad Meghnia’s parents are Lebanese. They say he is our man to justify their crimes. Meghnia is a great leader and a martyr for his nation. They believe that they defeated Hezbollah by killing him. Now, they are afraid of war and they will see Hezbollah’s strong response.