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Iran, China discuss renewing military cooperation

Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Friday, December 8, 2000

NICOSIA — Iran and China are discussing the renewal of military cooperation.

Diplomatic sources said the two countries are exploring the prospect of renewing defense industrial programs. Many of these programs were completed in the mid- and late-1990s amid a shortfall in Iranian funding.

The sources did not say what kind of projects are being considered. China has been involved in Iranian missile and nonconventional weapons programs but the sources assess that Beijing is offering conventional systems.

The defense talks are being held during the current visit by Liu Jibin, China's minister of science, technology and industry for national defense. Liu told Iranian Defense Ali Shamkhani that Beijing plans to form ties with Teheran in all fields.

The official Islamic Republic News Agency quoted Shamkhani as saying that the recent trip by Iranian President Mohammad Khatami to China was a turning point in relations. Shamkhani has been host of Liu during his visit.

Last month, the United States announced that China has pledged to stop all help to Iran's intermediate- and long-range missile program. The pledge led to a U.S. decision to lift sanction on Chinese companies.

Russian Defense Minister Igor Sergeyev is expected to visit Iran at the end of the month in an effort to complete an estimated $1.7 billion arms contract that will include the S-300 anti-aircraft missiles, Mi-17 attack helicopters and Su-25 fighter-jets. Sergeyev told the United States that it will offer only defense systems to Iran and upgrade Iranian weapons.

"Sergeyev said that in recent years, the Russians have adopted strict new arms export rules, and that they plan to adhere to those rules," a U.S. official said in Brussels after Sergeyev met Defense Secretary William Cohen.

Both countries began talks by government experts in Moscow to define Russian weapons offers to Iran. Iranian sources said Sergeyev will arrive in January.

Friday, December 8, 2000


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