Members of a Hasidic Jewish movement may sue the Russian government in an effort to recover 18th-century religious writings and prayers seized by the Nazi and Soviet armies, the Associated Press reports.
Popularity: 14% [?]
December 6, 2006The Russian gas company NOVATEK and Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) on Monday signed two memorandums of understanding.
Popularity: 4% [?]
November 28, 2006The head of Russia’s nuclear agency Rosatom will visit Iran on December 11 to discuss economic cooperation between the two countries.
Popularity: 4% [?]
November 27, 2006A controversial Russian billionaire Arkady Gaydamak, who since immigrating has won popularity in Israel with major philanthropic projects, said in an interview published Sunday that he could run against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in the next elections.
Popularity: 5% [?]
November 20, 2006Russia’s Central Muslim Board Chairman Talgat Tajuddin has urged Palestinian and Israeli secular leaders and clergy to sign a 40-year peace deal, with Russian religious leaders posing as guarantors, Interfax news agency reports.
Popularity: 5% [?]
November 7, 2006A Russian tourist, who tried to take picture against backdrop of Azrieli Towers in Tel Aviv was pounced by security personnel, accused of spying, planning terror attack for Hezbollah. Security personnel searched Ekaterina Kopilov’s belongings, interrogated her, and squeezed every bit of desire to return for another vacation in Israel, Ynetnews.com website reports.
Popularity: 6% [?]
“Iran is interested in cooperation with Belarus and is ready to develop interaction in all spheres,†Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko arrived in Iran on a three-day visit Sunday to discuss boosting trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.
Popularity: 4% [?]
The head of the Russian military’s general staff, Yuri Baluyevsky, said Thursday Iran does not have the technological means to create intercontinental ballistic missiles, Radio Free Europe reports.
“According to our information, today Iran has no technological or technical capabilities to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile,†he said.
Intercontinental ballistic missiles have a range of more than 3,400 miles.
Baluyevsky’s comments came shortly after Iran reportedly fired its longer-range Shahab-3 ballistic missile for the first time.
Experts believe the Shahab missiles have a range of up to 1,240 miles.
The missile test came at the start of 10 days of military exercises, expected to involve maneuvers in the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman.
When asked whether the Shahab-3 missiles posed a threat to Russia, Baluyevsky responded: “That depends on which direction they are sent.â€
Popularity: 4% [?]
November 2, 2006Iran’s Presidential Advisor Mohammad Nahavandian said Iran-Russia cultural ties are important for establishment of peace and tranquility in the world, IRNA reported.
In a panel discussion on Iran-Russia cultural ties and its impact on Islamic world on Saturday, Nahavandian described the prospect of the bilateral ties ’good’ which should be used properly.
The panel discussion was held in the framework of International Conference of “Iran and Russia, Dialogue among Civilizations†under auspices of the Russian Presidential Office.
Stressing that three years have passed since the signing of cultural cooperation agreement between Iran and Russia, Nahavandian called for the evaluation of its outcome.
President’s advisor said the world situation is abnormal and full of tension adding, “In this situation, Iran-Russia relations can contribute to the peace in the world.â€
He went on to say Iran and Russia can cooperate in three national, regional and international levels for which mutual understanding and relations are necessary.
Nahavandian set forth proposals for expansion of cultural ties between the two countries including; doing joint research projects in the higher education institutes, exchanging university professors and students, holding cultural days in the scientific centers and displaying art and constructive movies in both countries television networks.
Iran’s embassy cultural attache in Russia Mehdi Eimanipour was another participants in the panel discussion who emphasized the necessity of bilateral cultural cooperation between Iran and Russia.
Referring to the beginning of the work of the Russian Strategic Viewpoints and the Islamic World Group, the Iranian cultural attache said, “Experienced experts are working in the group and are trying to find ways to solve existing problems and expand ties of Russia and Islamic world.â€
He said Russia’s intention to develop ties with the Islamic world has various internal and external reasons.
Internally, 20 mln Muslims living in Russia is an important factor and the weakening of the US and the west positions in the Islamic world, is a good opportunity for Russia to expand its presence among world Muslims, and in this concern Iran can be a good help to Russia.
Another speaker in the panel discussion was Iran’s Deputy of Culture and Islamic Guidance minister Mohammad Hadi Homayoun, who emphasized Iran’s increasing intention on dialogue with the Russian Orthodox Christianity.
He said, “By creating cultural studies courses and implementing joint research projects, the experts from Iran and Russia try to get acquainted more with both countries.â€
Professor Alexander Logonov from Russia State University criticized both Iran and Russian text books and said, “Information about Iran and Russia is not sufficient and even unfriendly which does not conform with existing relations.â€
He suggested that expertise groups of both countries cooperate in compiling text books.
The Russian professor also called for displaying of TV programs and movies about Muslims and Christians.
Sadeq Haqiqat, a professor from Mofid University in Qom, proposed exchanging university students and experts and holding cultural exhibitions to promote cultural cooperation.
Jahangir Dorri, a writer and a professor in Russian Military Academy also presented 3 proposals in this concern.
The proposals included, Considering information on Iran and Russia in their history text books, translating Iran’s contemporary novels in Asian and Africa Magazines and printing Russian and Persian literary books in both countries.
International conference titled “Iran, Russia, Dialogue among Civilizations†wrapped up its works Saturday after two-day discussions and exchange of views.
Popularity: 3% [?]
October 30, 2006Britain and France on Tuesday presented a draft sanctions resolution on Iran to Russia and China, UN Security Council sources cited by Kyodo news agency said.
The sources said the resolution warns Tehran additional sanctions will be imposed under Article 41 of the UN Charter’s Chapter 7 if Iran continues to defy a UN Security Council ultimatum to freeze uranium enrichment and sharply improve cooperation with the UN probe of suspect Iranian atomic activities.
According to part of the text read out to Kyodo News, the resolution said in part: “States shall take necessary measures to prevent the supply, sale or transfer directly or indirectly from their territories or by their nationals or using their flag vessels or aircraft to, or for the use in or benefit of, Iran and whether or not originating in their territories, of all items, materials, equipment, goods and technology which could contribute to Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.â€
The resolution also says UN member states should also “take the necessary measures to prevent the provision to Iran of technical assistance or training, financial assistance, investment brokering or other services and the transfer of financial resources or services related to Iran’s nuclear or ballistic missile programs.â€
Reuters news agency earlier reported that Britain, France and Germany on Tuesday circulated their draft sanctions resolution against Iran.
The three key European nations took the action after failing to reach agreement with the United States, splitting over such issues as a U.S. demand that Russia be forced to halt work at Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant, the report said.
The draft exempts “construction†of Bushehr and appears to allow some 1,500 Russians to continue working at the site in southwestern Iran, Reuters quoted a European diplomat as saying.
The United States and its European allies said Iran’s nuclear program is designed to make weapons while Iran insists its nuclear program is for energy production.
The Associated Press said in a dispatch from Vienna that the Western moves are narrowly focused in hopes of winning Russian and Chinese backing for sanctions.
A Security Council resolution passed last week imposed similar sanctions on the sale or transfer of technology that could contribute to North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs after that nation’s Oct. 9 nuclear test.
Popularity: 2% [?]
October 27, 2006
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