Foreign Correspondence

[Amaunet]

I want to refer back to this post considering Iran’s recent threats of retaliating against civilians inside of the United States.

In addition to manufacturing cyanide the last text touches upon biotechnology and the manufacture of vaccines and medicines.

How does any country-whether it is the United States or Iraq or Britain or North Korea- acquire WMDs without the original contribution of a set of scientists (and engineers and technicians of all kinds) to the production of these devices somewhere? These scientists Cuba has in abundance.

#msg-10111389

-Am


Iran Giving Cuba Chemical Warfare Agent?



Tehran will supply the raw materials and chemicals needed for rubber and plastic production in Cuba.


Each year, thousands of tons of cyanide are manufactured and shipped throughout the world. Manufactured cyanide is a byproduct of plastic combustion, making it an important toxin to be aware of in smoke inhalation cases. The natural compound also can be found in small quantities in the pits of cherries, peaches and apricots.

Several countries manufacture cyanide as a potential chemical warfare agent. Because it is easy to make, buy or steal, cyanide poses a significant terrorist threat of mass destruction. Self-styled, budget-conscious terrorist splinter groups that lack large bankrolls or sophisticated weaponry seem particularly interested in cyanide capabilities.

http://72.14.207.104/search?q=cache:TaG6RLuVgncJ:www.jems.com/terrorism-wmdresponse/articles/13127/+....


Iran to build power, cement plants in Cuba

Saturday, March 11, 2006 - ©2005 IranMania.com


LONDON, March 11 (IranMania) - Iran and Cuba signed an agreement based on which Iran will build a cement plant in this Latin American country, MNA reported.

In addition to the $200m agreement concluded for building the cement production plant, Iran has also agreed to construct a power plant aimed at generating at least 500 to 1,500 megawatts of electricity in this island of the Greater Antilles.

Also, Tehran will supply the raw materials and chemicals needed for rubber and plastic production in Cuba, the report quoted an official at Iran?s Ministry of Industries and Mines as saying.

Moreover, based on a short-term agreement Iran has undertaken providing tractors needed by Cuba through its tractor manufacturing plant in Venezuela, Mohsen Shaterzadeh said here, on Friday.

Trade volume between Iran and Caribbean island state has increased from the earlier $20m to about $90m, he commented predicting that, ?The trade volume between the two countries is expected to hit $600m soon.?


http://www.iranmania.com/News/ArticleView/Default.asp?NewsCode=41231&NewsKind=Current%20Affairs




#msg-10171924
Iran grants Cuba 20-million euro credit
• Plant under construction in that Asian country to manufacture a Hepatitis B vaccine, Interferon, Streptokinase and human Erythpoyetine with Cuban technology • Cooperation with Cuba to be diversified and extended starting this year, as the Iranian ambassador in Cuba informs this weekly

BY RAISA PAGES—Granma International staff writer—

WHILE a plant is under construction in Iran to produce vaccines and medicines with Cuban technology, the island is very interested in that Asian country’s experiences in the rational use of water, among other contributions via the established cooperation between the two nations.

"There is no doubt that Iran is determined to strengthen its economic relations with Cuba and there are many interesting areas in which to cooperate," affirmed Mr. Ahmad Edrisan, ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran .

He confirmed that economic cooperation between the two nations is to be diversified and extended to a notable degree starting this year. The Iranian ambassador conceded an interview to Granma International on the 10th Cuba-Iran Joint Commission.

"In discussions between the delegations we have made concrete the most propitious areas for economic cooperation and strengthened banking relations," he noted.

"The Central Bank of Cuba already has agreements with the Iran Development Bank, which will facilitate trade between the two countries.

Iran is to give Cuba a credit of 20 million euros, which could be increased with projects and cooperation.

The ambassador stated that his country has announced its disposition to help Cuba in oil pumping developments now that new reserves of this resource have been found.

Although economic cooperation currently covers agriculture, water usage, medicines, biotechnology and sports, this exchange is to be much expanded..

Mr. Ahmad Edrisan reviewed bilateral relations, which he qualified as excellent, and recalled President Fidel Castro’s visit to Iran in 2001.

There were many delegation exchanges between the two nations in 2004, which provided a better knowledge of realities on both sides.

"We consider that the 10th Cuba-Iran Joint Commission is complementary to that process of exchanging delegations to date and now we would like those areas of cooperation to be made concrete," he added.

The Iranian agricultural minister is heading the 25-person delegation from different agencies and ministries in that country currently in Cuba for the joint commission.

The volume of trade between Cuba and Iran in recent years has oscillated between $20 and $30 million but there is much capacity between the two nations to raise that," he observed.

Given its scientific developments in biotechnology, Cuba is supplying Iran with vaccines against Hepatitis B and other successful medicines like Interferon and Erythropoyetine, at a cost of $15 million per year.

A plant is currently under construction in that country for the manufacture there with Cuban technology of the Hepatitis B vaccine, Interferon, Streptokinase (utilized in the treatment of heart attacks) and human recombinant Erithropoyetine, used for the treatment of kidney failure, among other pathologies.

Exchanges of professors and students of medicine are part of an existing cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Higher Education, which also includes grants for students on both sides.

Last year a new agreement was signed in the field of sports to give continuity to cooperation in this activity, the ambassador commented. Trainers and athletes in volleyball, basketball and boxing from both nations are assimilating their experiences.

The recent visit by José Ramón Fernández to Iran will help to implement this sports agreement, the ambassador affirmed. The Asian nation is also to produce sports equipment that the island can acquire.

Both countries are exchanging information in the area of agriculture. Iran has benefited from Cuban experiences in sugarcane cultivation and in its turn is facilitating information on the production of rice and other foodstuffs.

Geographically located in a very dry area, Iran has an annual rainfall of only 250 millimeters. However, it is a large agricultural producer and food exporter. Iran is interested in the island’s experience of tropical fruits.

USE OF WATER

"Iran can help Cuba in the more efficient use of water, above all in agriculture," the ambassador stated.

He also noted that they could cooperate in transportation systems and the long-distance diverting of hydraulic resources. The Asian country could supply technology for the construction of aqueducts in the eastern region of Cuba.

Another area of cooperation with the island is in the construction of thermoelectric plants. Ambassador Edrisian explained that Iran manufactures large turbines down to systems for transforming energy into electricity.

Iranian entrepreneurs are interested in developing the textile, footwear and plastics industries and spare parts for sugar mills, he stressed. "In transportation, we could contribute engines, wagons and rail tracks, as well as other personal and collective vehicles, he confirmed.

The potential for the investment of Iranian capital in Cuba or the establishing of joint enterprises is one of the subjects for discussion in the commission. The delegation that traveled to Cuba for this joint session includes private-sector representatives from the footwear and plastics industries.

"Iran is capable of contributing everything that Cuba needs in terms of industrial development," he affirmed. "We are two revolutionary countries and establish our relations within the principles of South-South cooperation."

THE UNITED STATES SHOULD REVIEW ITS POLICY

With the US invasion and occupation of Iraq world security has been reduced and terrorism has developed even further, the ambassador observed.

"If the United States does not review its Middle East policy we are not going to see any improvement in the situation in that region," he stated.

"By invading Iraq the United States has strained international relations and endangered world security.

"The US government must end the invasion of Iraq as soon as possible. This country, under international supervision, has to attain its autonomy, its government, and for that reason we are in agreement with the elections, because that would be the first step toward the sovereignty of that people.

"The unilateral nature of US policy in international relations should be ended. That country should stop violating international law and should respect the national sovereignty of the peoples," ambassador Edrisian concluded.

http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:D75KCyOLfSYJ:www.granma.cu/ingles/2005/enero/lun17/04iran.html+c....