Herald Reporters
Tehran says illegal Western sanctions on Zimbabwe and Iran are meant to punish the two countries for rejecting neo-colonialism.
Addressing journalists in Harare yesterday, Iran’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Mohammad Pournajaf, said the sanctions were only making innocent people suffer.
Western countries, he said, wanted passive Third World leaders who conformed to their whims and caprices.
“Westerners always want a leader who is flexible to them. (US President Barrack) Obama should learn from this when he talks of change. It is now time that Western countries respect the independence and values of other countries and stop manipulating developing countries,” he said.
Ambassador Pournajaf said Iran would continue supporting Zimbabwe to develop its economy. Unlike Western countries, Ambassador Pournajaf said, Iran believed in sharing knowledge rather than selling it.
“Zimbabweans are our friends and we will continue working together to boost our economies in all areas of concern. We are not here to make business but to help our friends.”
The ambassador added that Iran was investing extensively in Zimbabwe through initiatives such as the tractor manufacturing plant in Harare and solar energy development. He said Iran invited Zimbabwean scientists to further their knowledge.
Ambassador Pournajaf hailed President Mugabe as a courageous leader who had stood firm in empowering the nation.
“President Robert Mugabe is a great man . . . He is a man of the people,” he said.
The Iranian Ambassador yesterday launched the Ambassador magazine, which contains diplomatic news about Harare and Tehran, ahead of Iran’s 32nd anniversary of the Great Islamic Revolution tomorrow.

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