Caspian Sea leaders sign declaration

source almanartv

17/10/2007 The Second Summit of the Caspian Sea Littoral States ended its work in the presence of heads of state of Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan Republic, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan in Tehran on Tuesday afternoon. They released a declaration on major regional and international issues. Following is an excerpt of the declaration: The Caspian Sea littoral states will make efforts to reinforce peace, stability, economic development, and good neighborliness in the region. The sides will have equal rights in international cooperation and are determined to boost relations in political, diplomatic, economic, scientific, technical, cultural, and social spheres. The sides will make attempts to efficiently utilize the Caspian Sea’s rich resources and expand economic cooperation, particularly in the energy and transportation areas. The sides hereby announce that only Caspian Sea littoral countries are allowed to use the resources of the sea. The sides agree that the Caspian Sea legal regime should be drafted as soon as possible. The Caspian Sea should only be used for peaceful purposes and any problems related to the sea should be resolved diplomatically by the littoral states. The sides will make efforts to develop mutual trust and reinforce regional security. They will also avoid using military force in mutual relations. The sides believe that the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is one of the most important foundations of international peace and stability. The sides confirm that all signatories to the NPT have the right to generate and utilize nuclear energy for peaceful purposes within the framework of the NPT and the International Atomic Energy Agency Statute. Stances at the summit In his speech to the conference, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced that the third summit of the Caspian Sea littoral states will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan in 2008, and a joint economic conference will be held in Moscow next year. "The presidents of the five Caspian Sea littoral countries agreed to meet every year, and their foreign ministers will meet every six months," he added. Asked about the propaganda campaign against the conference, Ahmadinejad stated that the declaration that was signed at the end of the conference was a robust response to those countries that were opposed to the meeting. Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters that the Iran-Russia nuclear cooperation is for peaceful purposes. The countries have “expressed the idea that peaceful nuclear activities must be allowed,” Putin said, reiterating that Iran should be allowed to pursue its nuclear program for peaceful purposes. Putin discussed issues pertaining to comprehensive security and stability in the region and the joint campaign against "international terrorism and extremism.” Among other things, Russia has proposed building a canal as soon as possible to connect the Caspian Sea to the Black and Azov seas to help establish the North-South Corridor, he said. Russia is the only country helping Iran to construct a nuclear power station for peaceful ends, he added, referring to the construction of the Bushehr nuclear power plant. For his part, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev stated that the convention should be finalized as soon as possible, and the dialogue between the countries should be sped up. "I believe that the Tehran summit and the declaration we will adopt here will be a turning point in the development of cooperation between Caspian states in all fields and in insuring stability and peace in the region, and that the Caspian will become a sea of peace, friendship, and cooperation,” Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said. Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedow said he was optimistic about Caspian states’ cooperation and the agreements made by the five countries on ecology, shipping, tourism, and the use of hydrocarbon reserves.

Putin arrives in Tehran despite warning

SOURCE ALMANARtTV 16/10/2007 Russian President Vladimir Putin, brushing off the threat of a reported plot to assassinate him, arrived in Iran on Tuesday for talks with Iran's leaders focusing on Tehran's nuclear row with the West. The Russian president was officially welcomed by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Saadabad castle in Tehran. Putin is due to attend a summit of five Caspian Sea states aimed at bringing them closer to a deal on dividing the sea and its huge oil and gas resources. Putin is visiting the Islamic Republic ahead of parliamentary elections in December and amid speculation on how he will maintain a grasp on power in Russia after he quits the top job. His visit also comes amid increasing pressure to impose sanctions on Iran for its nuclear program, something Moscow and other allies are against. Kremlin officials said on Monday that plans for the visit were in doubt after a Russian news agency report said about assassination plot against him. Iran said the report was baseless and Putin shrugged it off. "If we have a chance to keep up these direct contacts, then we will do it, hoping for a positive, mutually advantageous result," Putin said in Germany before his arrival. Tehran says the visit by Putin and other leaders at the Caspian summit shows U.S. efforts to isolate it are failing.

SOWETO ON THE TOURIST TRAIL

Flying car to take off in a year

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 19:46:20

Terrafugia Transition

MIT scientists take another step towards aero-auto hybrids by producing the first automated folding wing for light sport aircrafts.

For many years researchers believed aero-auto hybrid vehicles would be commercial failures; however, MIT scientists say they are on the way to overcome existing problems.

The team hopes to use 'Terrafugia' which was manufactured in 2006 and displayed as the world's first automatic folding wing, to complete a roadworthy aircraft within a year.

The first patent for a vehicle capable of both driving on roads and flying in the air was issued in US in 1918.

MHE/HGH

Iran transit stop for Indonesian pilgrims

Sun, 16 Sep 2007 11:16:48

Muslim pilgrims carry out Hajj rituals.

Prior to arrival for Minor Hajj in Saudi Arabia, a ritual destination for Muslim pilgrimage, Indonesians choose Iran as their transit stop.

Mohammad Kazem Kholdinasab, Director of the Department of International Affairs at Iran Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization, affirmed, "Indonesian pilgrims will be coming to Iran before they enter Saudi Arabia. They will stay in Iran for around two or three days."

By 2008, Iran is anticipated to host over 25,000 pilgrims.

During last year's visit to Iran by the Indonesian deputy minister of culture and tourism, both countries signed an agreement on initiating executive programs within the field of tourism.

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Parties attack Brown election decision

Parties attack Brown election decision

source almanarTV

07/10/2007 UK opposition parties say they are disappointed by Prime Minister Gordon Brown's decision not to call an autumn election. The Conservatives say Brown was frightened by opinion polls in the Sunday Times and News of the World which put the Tories ahead of Labor. Brown said a vote was being delayed so people had time to see how successful his policies were. "I'll not be calling an election. I have a vision for change in Britain and I want to show people how in government we're implementing it," Brown said. "Over the summer months we've had to deal with crises, we've had to deal with foot-and-mouth, with terrorism, with floods, we had financial crises." He added. Conservative leader David Cameron said Brown had shown "great weakness and indecision", and had made a "humiliating retreat". Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell said that Brown had a "crisis of confidence", and that his decision showed "a loss of nerve".