Iran: Ahmadinejad Calls for Closer Ties with Italy

ADNKI (Italy) ^ | June 21, 2006 | ADNKI

[familyop]

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

[familyop]

"During his stint as prime minister in 1998-1999, D'Alema used Italy's traditional role as a dialogue partner between the West and troublesome states to boost ties with Iran, which is one of Italy's main export markets."

Hmmm.

[Atlantic Bridge]

It is true that Iran is a important export market for Europe.

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.

[familyop]

"The question is, how valueable Israel will be to those 4 nations."

We're aware of the sentiment in three of those countries and others regarding Israel: much the same as it was before WWII.

As the western European press continues to repeat that wishful canard (of Israel being the only country in danger), the hope is that it will become true. It's no surprise, as leaders from several terrorist regimes have also advised Ahmadinejad to keep the public focus on the idea of attacking only Israel.

Three of those nations and others should rather decide as to whether or not they value their own, because Iran is preparing to reach beyond Israel and would prefer to incur casualties on both sides of an exchange.

Europe 'Within Missile Range of Iran'
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1622436/posts

Iran missiles put Europe in range - report [German intel corroborated.]
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1622365/posts

Iran Receives North Korean 'Missile Shipment'
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1625482/posts

Iran Bought Missiles From North Korea: Press
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1543307/posts

[Atlantic Bridge]

I do not believe into a Iranian attack of Europe since it makes no strategical sense to them. Germany and France are under the nuclear umbrella of the "Force de Frappe", that has a 2nd strike abillity. Therefore a direct nuclear attack would be simply suicide for the Iranians. Besides of that Germans and French are not the enemies of Iran. Even if they take part in embargo measures. Those who are really hated by Iran are - Israel and the US. This is very simple.

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.

[rod1]

Guess he is taking aim at wiping out the Vatican if he can't get Israel anytime soon.

[familyop]

Thank you for the trade information. Also, BTW, the one nation of the four that does not generally express the same sentiment toward Israel as before WWII is, of course, Germany.

[familyop]

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.

[nuconvert]

AKI has to be excerpted?

[DustyMoment]

The Italians can be a funny bunch, but I would be surprised if they truly want to align themselves too closely with this nutjob.

[familyop]

"Guess he is taking aim at wiping out the Vatican if he can't get Israel anytime soon."

My guess is that he would want to be more incremental and stealthy about that, although I might be mistaken. But he would like to see large Iranian casualties as well as casualties in any country that he attacks and has expressed the same. He hopes to get the "Islamic world" fired-up enough to start a wider, higher intensity conflict.

Yes, he'd love to attack Israel first to motivate his friends, but Israel is rather well protected. The hoped-for casualties would not likely be heavy on either side of a missile exchange with Israel, and multinational invasion and occupation of Iran would quickly follow.

But he'll settle for an elevation of rage with large populations of "infidels" wherever he can start that. Ahmadinejad and his clerical masters are also seeking to divide his enemies (all who are not radical Islamists).