IRAN/ RUSSIA – Moscow urges expansion of tourism cooperation with Iran

Moscow urges expansion of tourism cooperation with Iran Moscow, Dec 8, IRNA – A Russian tourism official on Thursday called for expansion of Tehran-Moscow tourism cooperation.

Talking to a Russian state radio station, Russian Federal Tourism Agency spokesman Oleg Moseyev said there are great tourism potentials in both Iran and Russia which attract large groups of tourists. Some 6,000 Iranian tourists visited Moscow and Saint Petersburg in the past one year, he said, underlining the need for an increase in the number of tourists visiting both Iran and Russia. Moseyev regretted that Russian people are not familiar with tourism attractions and potentials in Iran, saying that is why they are not so willing to travel to the historical and ancient country. The Russian official further lauded Iran’s natural tourism attractions, saying Iran’s southern Kish Island in the Persian Gulf has been very attractive for the Russians who have visited the country. Underlining the need for removing the existing obstacles in the way of promotion of Tehran-Moscow tourism cooperation, he called for preparing an appropriate infrastructure and facilitating marine travels for the two countries’ nationals.   ( Fonte: www.irna.ir )

ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN – FM spokesman lambasts launch of US virtual embassy in Tehran

FM spokesman lambasts launch of US virtual embassy in Tehran Tehran, Dec 8, IRNA – Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said launching of the US virtual embassy in Tehran indicates that Washington has admitted its big mistake of cutting off relations with the Iranian nation.

He reiterated that such a virtual initiative will not compensate for the US big mistake and therefore will not transfer Washington’s message to the Iranian people. The Iranian nation has received the US administration’s message through the sanctions, downing of the passenger plane in the Persian Gulf, all-out struggle against the technologic progress of Iranian scientists and leveling baseless and false allegations against the Islamic Republic as well as its support for the terrorist groups such as Mujahedin-e Khalq Organziation (MKO), Rigi and Tondar, in the past three decades, he emphasized. The problem is that Washington has never listened to the messages of the Iranian people including their full support for independence, freedom and Islamic Republic, Mehmanparast noted. He advised the US authorities to take lessons from their past mistakes and change their approach towards the great Iranian nation.   ( Fonte: www.irna.ir )

SYRIA – President Bashar al-Assad interview with Barbara Walters from ABC News on 07-12-2011