UPDATED ON:
Monday, September 01, 2008
19:43 Mecca time, 16:43 GMT
 
News Middle East
Morales meets Iranian president
Growing ties between the two countries have raised concerns in the United States [AFP]

Evo Morales, Bolivia's president, has met his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Tehran in an effort to boost relations between the two oil rich nations.

Talks began on Monday between the two leaders, marking Morales's first visit to Iran.

"The two revolutionary nations and the governments of Iran and Bolivia are natural allies and will boost their relations in the fields of commerce, industry, agriculture, gas, oil and politics," Ahmadinejad told Morales in the first day of his two-day trip to Tehran, Iran's capital.

"We are striding on a common path towards a brighter future and will remain by each other's side and supportive of one another under any circumstances," he said.

Aid pledge

While both countries are energy producers, Bolivia is one of several south American countries that have forged closer relations with Iran.

Iran's president had already promised $1.1bn in aid for impoverished Bolivia, which is trying to build up its gas industry.

Morales, who in 2006 became the first indigenous leader of Bolivia, said: "I support and praise Mr Ahmadinejad's stance against imperialism and defending the rights of the Iranian people.

"I also hail Iranian progress in industry and agriculture," he said.

Bolivia and Iran had established relations in September 2007 when Ahmadinejad made an official trip to Bolivia to sign trade and energy accords.

Their growing ties have raised concerns in the US.

The US has led international efforts to isolate Iran, which it accuses of seeking atomic weapons under the cover of a nuclear energy programme.

Tehran denies it has any intention of seeking to build a nuclear bomb, saying its nuclear programme is intended to produce electricity.

 Source: Agencies
Feedback Number of comments : 26
 
Alberto
Canada
02/09/2008
Iran as an exporter of aid
A little ironic that Iran will give over a billion bucks in aid to Bolivia. This is the country that has 20% unemployment and inflation over 20%. As if the good Iranian president hasn't got his hands full with economic problems at home.

David
United Kingdom
02/09/2008
Iran's unemployment rate has gone down about 10% during Ahmadienjad's administration. It must be something around 11% 12% which is not lower than many European countries. Partly that's one of the reasons of high inflation. But which one you'd choose as a policy maker?

Peshmarga
Iraq
02/09/2008
don't underestimate Iran, they are smarter than they look. They have been making a lot smart moves.

C Mendes
Angola
02/09/2008
Reply to Alberto (Canada)
Dear Alberto you're unfortunate my dear friend. ...etcetera. Just read again Bert's (United Kingdom) reply to you...Conclusion: Western thinking has concluded itself that it can do anything they wish around the world because will be a truth, a goog, positive thing under pretext of democracy, human rights, freedom, etc, but when other countries wish to do so, it is not allowed, because they're rogue states...pls, let me say etcetera again!!! Thanks, Bert (UK) 4 ur key point.

Tim
Fiji
02/09/2008
reply to bert
lets get real, the US wont give aid to most of Sth America because they are promoting a politics that threatens their imperial power. whether they were trillions of dollars in debt or not. just as iran is supporting bolivia to strengthen like-minded political regimes opposed to US imperialism, so to the US strengthens countries that can help expand this imperialism.

Pat
United States
03/09/2008
Reply to bert
I am not exactly sure what your point is? Alberto is from Canada, not the U.S. and he never said anything in reference to the U.S. By the way, the U.K. economy is headed towards serious turmoil (the pound is worse off than the dollar and the housing market is falling apart).

John
Canada
03/09/2008
bert the ingrate
This will probably not go through as Aljazeera dosnt like True Canadian Points of view but we will try anyways... Bert, The USA has giving more then any country in the World , in the Depression, in a Recession or what ever the perils that they are in, its part of being free. Iran and its Mullahs are dictators and cult leaders killing the people for pleasure note children being hung for misdemeanors or just killing them for free speech. Bolivian pres is just the same and their brother Hugo

Mark
Thailand
03/09/2008
Iran Bolivia
People are going hungry everyday in Iran and there ques for petrol and there water and electric cut off every day why is Ahamdinejad helping Bolivia? The Iranian people need that money not some impoverished south American country 1000's miles away. Mr President you stood on the platform to help your Iranian people.....then get on with it they are still waiting and your time is coming to an end.

zarish
Kenya
04/09/2008
Who are We
Problem with the west is that they want the world to adapt their culture in everyting, whie in return they dont wantto adapt others hence this what cause terrorism.

Norberto
Argentina
04/09/2008
A steo in the right direction 4
Within this framework, it is absolutely forbidden for Latin American countries to establish independent relationships with not Alied-NATO countries without proper supervision and approval from Tel Aviv. Nevertheless, the WW II mafia is loosing its grip and is in a clear and steep dive, and Morales and Ahmadinejad are taking advantage of that.

Norberto
Argentina
04/09/2008
Latin America and Middle Easter countries are absolutely complementary in a vast number of aspects. In the first place both peoples are God believers, that means that we both believe in truth, while the pseudo West only believes in relativity, materialism, and pragmatism: what it works in the short term is good, the rest is bad…. They forget that if you think a bit far ahead you will end up with a hefty bill like the climate change. That is a solid base to establish partnerships.

sameen
Afghanistan
05/09/2008
Iranian looks
Ref. to Peshmarga from Iraq- the Iranians look as smart as they are.

Ayub
Afghanistan
02/09/2008
Bolivia and Iran.
This is great,to see two countries from different parts of the globe coming together for a common good.Now the US is ticked off because the US is nort welcomed to the party.The US looks like a sore looser.The US acts like a little boy when his candy is taken away or sent to his room and grounded....It's so comical i can't stop laughing...Bravo Ahmedinijad,extend your arm to the rest of South America and isolate the US,for once....

bert
United Kingdom
02/09/2008
reply to alberto
Well the US economy is not doing to well at the moment, and they are giving all their $ away in aid. Georgia, Israel just 2 of them. so your point is?

James Wilson
United States
02/09/2008
Economy of Boliva and Iran
Iran is busting at the seams with highly educated men and women who want to work and building the natural gas plant and fixtures will improve both of their economys. Chaves will also need their expertise with oil and gas. Iran will benifit from the food and timber too. Even Brazil will end up trading with Iran selling them steel products.

Sir Thomas Hooke
United Kingdom
03/09/2008
Reply to Bert
Bert, what is your point? I’m perplexed that you would reference the U.S. when addressing Alberto from Canada. Is it your goal to defend Iranian foreign policy or point out the generosity of the American people?

Prins
India
03/09/2008
when will world learn who is right.
Iraq is saved.. and is .. a rich nation now..The Iraqi's don't die now.. they are having true freedom.. hope US Will save Iranians too.. by.. eliminating a partial democracy.. and support all the military and autocratic regimes in the region.

Bill
Canada
04/09/2008
Morales has to deal with pure, unmitigated greed-mongers in his country. Ahmadinejad has to deal with naive student idealists in his, who have been seduced by westernism. Probably Ahmadinejad is one of the world's most intelligent leaders, and likely Morales is exceptionally bright too. They have to be, in order to keep their countries alive when the West has become so terrorifyingly vicious.

Muhammad
Nigeria
04/09/2008
Iran/Bolivia
I cannot understand how some people judge somethings in this world of ours. why the noise over iran/bolivia ties? is it forbidden for two third world countries to come together for a common understanding? or is a sin for a country like iran to aid another poor country with huge sum of money like a billion dollars? how about if it is a country like canada or israel decide to give similar aid to let's say a country like nigeria, would there be such noise?

Norberto
Afghanistan
05/09/2008
A step in the right direction 3
The Brits sold decommissioned frigates and ships to Chile, and Chile, on a trivial excuse invaded the rich area with the support of the then naval superpower Britain. In the process, Bolivia loss not only the phosphate mines but her access to the Pacific ocean. The net result of WW II with the Yalta deal between the Materialistic – Atheist powers consolidated the deal (see Chile’s support of USA-Britain coalition during the invasion of Malvinas or pseudo Falklands).

Malcolm Omawale Abdullah
United States
05/09/2008
An extended family
It is surely a blessing that our brother Ahmadinejad has extended his blessings out to others around the world who are in need of guidance and protection.

Michael
Afghanistan
05/09/2008
Interesting Comments
The comments in this column are interesting. I agree with all who say the US should leave the Middle East (Be careful what you wish for, people of the Middle East, you may get it.) Without US petro dollars, none of you would be able to feed yourselves with the population levels you have reached. The US, and all European monies, leaving your nations would be very interesting to see, indeed. Enjoy that thought, people of the Middle East.

Tafadzwa
Zimbabwe
05/09/2008
Aid, helping each other as nations is what will help poor countries get out of their poverty and strengthen ties. I commend this, its time we, the "axis of evil" join forces amid the loose of power of "usa".

AMIR
Iran
05/09/2008
ITS A SHAME TO HAVE IRANIAN REGIME IN POWER IN IRAN. I AS AN IRANIAN AM ASHAMED OF MY GOVERNMENT'S ACTIONS.

Mike
United States
05/09/2008
Intl relations
Who needs who folks? Does Iran's "Mother Russia" make deals for Iran's future like so many chips at an Int'l poker table? Do new US Presidents bring true isolationism for the United States leaving your countries exposed to real predators already planning thier pounce? How quick was the Russian response to Georgia? Do you think they had a plan? Your wishes may come true but maybe the results will not please you?

boy george
United States
06/09/2008
Sincere Partnership
Hi Evo, Mahmoud, Hope that you too will be sincere in your partnerships. Through history, whether it is Spain, France, United States, they've all come to your country and bring home your gold, destroy your culture and start wars amongst yourselves.

 
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