Ahmedinejad says he will stand with Zimbabwe

TEHRAN - Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad says he will stand with President Robert Mugabe and his colleagues as they fight what he says are illegal sanctions imposed by the West.

The so-called targeted sanctions Ahmedinejad was referring to have since been renewed in the past month by the European Union and the United States of America which blame President Mugabe and members of his inner circle for abusing people's rights in the country and rigging polls to the disadvantage of MDC leader and now Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.

Ahmedinejad was speaking after meeting the Minister of State for Security Didymus Mutasa who is visiting Tehran.

“Your nation’s resistance would remain as a golden leaf in history," he said. “The Islamic Republic of Iran would remain by the side of Zimbabwe to the extent it can manage and proportionate with its share.”

“Illegally imposed pressure of the oppressor powers aimed at urging the Zimbabweans to surrender to their will is denounced,” added Ahmedinejad.

“The independence of Zimbabwe bothers them and they wish to exert their hegemony against your country as they did a 100 years ago.”

Mahmoud Ahmedinejad emphasized the need to expand ties with Zimbabwe as he voiced support for Zimbabwe against the Western-backed sanctions. He urged the implementation of economic agreements signed when President Mugabe visited in 2006.

“Rapid implementation of the previously reached agreements can pave the path for further expansion of bilateral relations in various fields more than ever before.”

Ahmedinejad said Iran will stand behind Zimbabwe to help it resist the so-called sanctions.

Iran has long denounced the "illegal and cruel pressures by western countries against people of Zimbabwe aimed at making them surrender", said the Iranian President. 

Ahmedinejad emphasized the two countries should employ capacities in order to promote the level of cooperation and relations and make influential and important steps to deepen ties.

Meanwhile, Mutasa presented Ahmedinejad with President Robert Mugabe’s message. Mutasa stressed said the capacities and rich reserves of the two sides were appropriate grounds for mutual investment and cooperation.

“Zimbabwe is interested in taking advantage of the experiences of the Islamic Republic of Iran and attracting your country’s investments in various economic and commercial fields,” said Mutasa. 

Mutasa has also held talks with Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki.

Said Mottaki: "Fortunately, the relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Zimbabwe are moving forward in the right direction."