Herat TV: Foreign Minister says no proof Iran sends arms to insurgents

October 21, 2007

Afghan Foreign Minister Dr Rangin Dadfar-Spanta has said there is no proof Iran is sending arms to insurgents in Afghanistan. Speaking at a joint news conference with Iranian Foreign Minister Dr Manuchehr Mottaki and Tajik Deputy Foreign Minister Dr Abdollah after they attended an Economic Cooperation Organization meeting in Herat, he also said Afghanistan did not want to be drawn into any disputes between Iran and the USA because it wanted good relations with both. The following is an excerpt from a recording of the news conference, broadcast by provincial state-owned Afghan Herat TV on 21 October; subheadings inserted editorially:

Current discussions in Herat

[Spanta] [Passage omitted: Current meeting continues work of earlier talks in Tajikistan.]

This afternoon, a partnership agreement will be signed among these three countries and we, the foreign ministers, have agreed to hold another meeting within three months, at which the representatives of the relevant ministries, including the ministries of foreign affairs, transport and energy, will take part in designing the outline of joint cooperation among the three countries. We are now talking about this framework in general. In addition, the experts should draw a mechanism through which our countries coordinate their activities and learn from the experience of each other in their campaign against poppy growing and drug production and trafficking.

[Passage omitted: Spanta welcomes guests]

[Mottaki] In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful. Good morning dear journalists. I thank the honourable Dr Spanta for his hospitality. We had a tripartite meeting among Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan. Esteemed Dr Abdollah, the first deputy foreign minister of Tajikistan took part in this meeting. Our objective has been to continue the discussions previously held between the three presidents in Tajikistan last year. As the honourable Dr Spanta mentioned earlier, and in view of the many shared values and interests among the three countries and at the same time the shared concerns, we emphasized cooperation between the three countries as one of the priorities of our countries. We will also hold meetings on transit and energy and will exchange experiences on our counter-narcotics efforts. In addition, in view of the shared religious and cultural beliefs, we would like to expand these relations. To that end, we are to hold discussions with the relevant departments, experts, professors, the ministry of education and cultural foundations. As a matter of fact, we have been responsible for continuing these discussions in line with our presidents’ order. We think the practical programme we have already set up will draw a brighter future for better collaboration among the three countries.

[Dr Abdollah] [Passage omitted: Thanks to Spanta for hosting Herat meeting]

Iran’s stance on West’s contacts with “extremists”

[Stanezay, Radio Liberty reporter western Afghanistan] My first question is for the Iranian foreign minister. You said yesterday that there are a number of extremist groups in contact with some European countries. Please clarify your comments. My second question is for the Afghan foreign minister. The Islamic Republic of Iran is concerned that a number of Western countries are cooperating with fanatical groups. Will this have an adverse impact on your relations with Iran?

[Manuchehr Mottaki] Yes, as I said yesterday a number of fanatical groups have established contacts with a number of European countries and this has worried us. We hope that such contacts will be stopped and I think the relevant departments will reveal more information on this subject. In short, I can say that such contacts have been established.

Afghanistan’s wish for goods ties with Iran, USA

[Dr Spanta in Pashto] It goes without saying that there are disagreements over Iran’s nuclear proliferation programme between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the West [the USA]. However, both sides share one idea, that is to continue helping Afghanistan reinforce stability and peace. Our efforts are to maintain these ties with both countries. This is our policy and we are working on it. [Spanta translates the correspondent's question and his own comments into Dari, stressing that disagreement between Iran and the USA should not affect Afghanistan's friendship with either country]

Cooperation n Persian TV channel, road links

[Iranian correspondent] My first question is about the agreement among the three presidents on establishment of a Persian TV. My second question is about route linking Iran to Central Asia via Afghanistan.

[Dr Abdollah] As regards the television, we have started work. The project naturally requires trained staff and we are now offering such training. In response to your second question, there are certain capacities and I believe they will be used for the project linking Iran to Central Asia via the Afghan soil.

[Dr Spanta] I want to add something. Since cooperation between the countries is a priority for our presidents, I should add that the construction of the ring road in Afghanistan will be completed next year. As a result, it will be possible to link the Republic of Tajikistan to the Islamic Republic of Iran via Afghanistan in the near future. By order of the president, I reiterate that we will do our best to provide all possible facilities to improve trade with Tajikistan and open its doors to the Persian Gulf.

Iranian threat against US bases in Afghanistan

[Correspondent, Sada-ye Jawan Radio - Herat] My question is for the honourable Dr Mottaki. Iranian officials have said they will target US military bases in Afghanistan if the USA invades Iran. Do you stand by this view?

[Mottaki] Well, we think America does not have the ability to levy more taxes on Americans and wage another war and conflict in the region. We do believe it is for the good of America to correct its policy and resolve the current crises in the region. Even if there is a remote possibility of war, our policy is crystal clear. We have told the Americans what we would do in that case and they are aware of the consequences.

Allegations about Iranian-made arms in Afghanistan

[Correspondent Ariana TV] Mr McNeill [NATO commander in Afghanistan] has said Iranian-made weapons and ammunition have allegedly brought into western Afghanistan. Iranian officials have rejected the claim. I want to ask Mr Spanta if the foreign military forces do not coordinate their activities with the Afghan forces or if these comments are aimed at dragging Iran into the case? You have already said there is no proof.

[Spanta] As the foreign minister of Afghanistan, I want to say that we, the Afghan Foreign Ministry, have no evidence suggesting that the Iranian government is trying to destabilize the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. You have heard this from the president, too. We do not have any proof that the Iranian government is giving weapons to the insurgents or training them. You and my brother Mottaki clearly know that I have a reputation for blunt speaking, which has even caused me harm. If there was any evidence suggestive of this, I would speak directly to Mr Mottaki.

Need for regional trade cooperation

Other countries have established common markets among themselves. Why then should we, Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan and Central Asian countries, create problems for each other? I believe we would do better to cooperate with each other with good will and friendship to establish a unified market in Asia and Central Asia. It is crystal clear that Afghanistan, Iran and Tajikistan will be the core and heart of this unity; otherwise we will fail to carry out our responsibility before the future generations. On the other hand, I should add that we will bluntly and frankly speak to our friends if our national interests are in danger. Right now we have no proof to blame them. So there is no reason to create tension with our friends. We yet again thank the Islamic Republic of Iran for its contributions. Two or three days ago, the Iranian ambassador to the UN, voiced support for the [Afghan] elected, legitimate government established in line with democratic principles. This is the official stance at the moment. Mr Mottaki emphasized this yesterday and what they what say is acceptable. Thank you.

[Description of Source: Herat Herat Television in Dari -- state-run television. OSC IAP20071021950074 Herat Herat Television in Dari 0640 GMT 21 Oct 07]

Arzu TV: Taleban attack security office in Shindand

Text of report by privately-owned Afghan Arzu TV on 21 October

[Presenter] The Taleban destroyed a part of the building of Security Command Office of Shindand District in western Herat Province with explosives today. According to eyewitnesses, the explosives were placed outside the building.

[Correspondent] According to eyewitnesses, the explosives which were placed outside the building of Shindand District Security Command Office may have been remotely-controlled. District Governor Haji Alam confirms the report and says the attack by the Taleban after the explosion was successfully defeated by Afghan troops without any casualties. The Taleban claimed to have killed three government officials but Afghan police denied there were any casualties.

According to another report, opponents of the government have destroyed three girls’ schools with explosives in Shindand District during the past week. The incidents have happened in the first and third day of Economic Cooperation Organization [ECO] summit in Herat city. The incidents have not caused any injuries.

[Description of Source: Mazar-e Sharif Arzu TV in Dari. OSC IAP20071021950109 1630 GMT 21 Oct 07 ]