Iran has played a leading role in supervising food distribution in central and southern Iraq since it resumed its aid activities to Iraq after the war at the demand of the WFP, Forthman said.
Food assistances have been sent to Iraq via different channels such as Syria, Jordon, Turkey, Kuwait, and Iran.
The two countries’ borders (Iran-Iraq) were closed for 25 years, but several agreements have been signed between the Islamic Republic and other organizations such as BAFIA on giving assistances to Iraq. Based on the agreements, foodstuff had been sent to Imam Khomeini Port in Iran and then transported to Iraq by trucks. Customs offices have a very significant role in this regard.
These offices have also had close relations with WFP in Afghanistan crisis.
The WFP secretary general and Mahdi Karbassian head of Iran’s Customs Administration (ICA) have met and reached several good agreements.
“Iran Ports and Shipping Organization (IPSO) has also cooperated closely with us," he said adding transportation companies were among the most cooperative ones in this concern.
Totally 750 thousands tons of foodstuffs have been sent to Iraq since June via 5 corridors, 6-7 percents of which have been sent by Iran.
On the adverse affect of the memory of 1980-1988 Iraqi-imposed war on Iran's cooperation with WFP regarding Iraq, he said, “it is difficult for me to elaborate on this issue. The war was very painful and caused serious material and spiritual damages to the Iranian nation. But I believe that it had no effect on the Iranian assistances to Iraq."
He added that the Iranians have never withheld their assistance from the neighboring countries, which are in need of their help. Iranian government, by encouraging people, has also played a key role in this concern.
“In my view, Iranians have a very significant humanitarian characteristic” Forthman stated.
Referring to Iran’s role in assisting Afghanistan, he said we began lending our assistance to Afghanistan in late 2000 and early 2001. The assitances were sent through the checkpoints of Bandar Abbas, Mashhad, and Sarakhs. It was an interesting experience for us, because the UN-supplied foods have been transported to Iran and sent to Afghanistan via Iran’s corridors.
About 40,000 tones of foodstuff have been transported through Chabahar and Imam Khomeini Port. Iranian transportation companies have helped so much in this regard. Although foodstuffs have been sent to Afghanistan via Iran’s border, none of the Iranians have entered into the Afghan land.
On the UN assistance to Iran regarding the huge number of refugees (about three million) in Iran, he said thus far some of the refugees have been repatriated to their homeland and the programs of the United Nations High Commissioner Refugees (UNHCR) show that some useful measures are to be taken to speed up the return of more refugees to their own country.
Around two million Afghans have returned to their country since the fall of the Taliban in November 2001, mostly from Iran.
Iran still hosts millions of refugees who have fled war and famine in their home country over the past two decades.
He added that though the war has come to an end in Afghanistan, there are still a great number of refugees in Iran.
“We are making efforts to pave the way for facilitating repatriation of refugees,” Forthman reiterated, adding that the international community also continues its supports and efforts in this regard.
On the issue of UN humanitarian assistance to Iraq, he said providing electricity and drinking water to Iraqis is among the most important responsibilities of the U.S.-British coalition forces in Iraq.
Referring to Iran’s cooperation in the international arena, he said, Iran has had close relations with UN delegations and has played a key role in managing the refugees’ affairs.
“The Islamic Republic government has even allocated a budget for this issue,” WFP representative said adding that Iran has allocated over five million dollars to Afghanistan so far, therefore we can say that there is a good relation between the UN and the Islamic Republic.
“Iran has a great property; the people,” he said, Iranian people are ready for assistance whenever they face a problem or a disaster. “And this is the most important issue,” he concluded.
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END
MNA
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