We will always stand by each other

Editor, Tendai Hildegarde Manzvanzvike (TM) speaks to outgoing Iranian ambassador, Mohammad Pournajaf (MP) about his tour of duty

TM: Your Excellency, you have come to the end of your tour of duty in Zimbabwe. How has it been like?
MP: I do believe Zimbabwe enjoys great potentialities and therefore to discuss all these potentialities in all fields is not an easy task. Great civilisation, history and culture are the aspects that should be taken into consideration: heroes and heroines of this nation with the struggle they had with the Ian Smith regime, devotion of the revolutionary people, land reform and agricultural progress just to mention a few.

TM: What is the state of bilateral relations between Zimbabwe and Iran?
MP: Zimbabwe and Iran have lots of commonalities. The Islamic Revolution took place in Iran in 1979 and Zimbabwe gained its independence in 1980. Fundamental reforms occurred in both countries. Revolutionary ideals replaced tyrannical suppression. Campaigns against oppression and suppression became the top agenda for the people. National unity, self-determination, independence and administration of justice were some of the common points. Having that in mind, Iran and Zimbabwe have cemented relations in all fields with the excellent view through exchange of delegations. A correct mindset of the current status of both countries has thus been transferred.

There are of course some areas that require enforcement and development to see the fruits of the proposed progress of projects – long-term projects such as the construction of dams are time-consuming projects. The significant notion is orientation of the status quo through which technical delegations are being exchanged, talks carried out and visits taking place. Thus pre-requisites for projects have been done. Further steps are needed to see the implementation of long lasting projects. One of the reforms that can help expedite operations would be the waiver of visas on holders of ordinary passports. This needs to be followed through.

TM: How about trade relations?
MP: The holding of the 7th Joint Commission last October in Tehran is a fact that says a lot about our relations. It’s noteworthy mentioning that the Iran-Zimbabwe assembly line of tractors joint venture of MOTIRA is a good example that portrays Iran’s commitment to empowering friends. By saying that, I mean the way we transfer technology to Zimbabwe. As you are well aware, agriculture is the backbone of sustainable development, therefore agro-progress is necessary for food security. In this sense any help provided for agricultural boost makes sense and is indispensable. In that atmosphere, MOTIRA company became operational in April 2010, and since that time many Zimbabwean technicians have been dispatched to Iran to be trained by ITMCO as partners of MOTIRA.

I believe that rather than providing fish, we should train the people on how to catch fish, thus sustaining partnership and real friendship. In other chapters of co-operation you will witness a sense of friendship, which is beyond words.

TM: Are these just historical coincidences?
MP: Well, if you give a closer look to the 1970s and the 1980s, you will see a trend of revolutions in the Middle East, Africa and around the world. Revolutionary leaders of both countries raised the people they were living among. You will also observe a concrete bond between the leadership and the nation. It indicates that people on the African continent in general and in the Middle East as well sought justice and freedom, and wanted to exercise their fundamental rights as well as enjoy their self-determination. They were tired of tyranny.

TM: Over the years, Zimbabwe and Iran have suffered the same fate – the imposition of economic sanctions and attempts at illegal regime change by Western governments. How best can the two nations work together to bust the sanctions and improve the people’s livelihoods?
MP: I do believe sanctions will never bring friendship. You cannot talk about hardships, extortion, paralysing a country’s infrastructure and then stretching your hand for friendship.
Amicable relations grow through sincerity. Ask Western countries why instead of respecting nations especially in the 21st century with this overwhelming rate of knowledge boom, they seek on putting pressure on freeborn nations? On the other hand, sanctions on Iran are not a new phenomenon because they have been exerted due to the triumph of the revolution.

TM: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad recently admitted how devastating the sanctions imposed by the West have been on the Iranian people. How are sanctions affecting the Iranian people, and how are they coping with them?
MP: The Iranian nation stood on its feet and through self-reliance tried to compensate the shortcomings and in that aspect alleviated the hardships of sanctions. Knowledge-based economy was the agenda. Through the command of the late leader Imam Khomeini and through correct guidance of the Supreme Leader, doors of universities were open to men and women. New universities were established, high technology centres were constructed and now you witness fruits of three decades of dedication of the leadership. There are also major achievements in science, technology, engineering, water management development and medical fields, socio-cultural aspects, you name it.

One clear example is that in 1979, there were only 39 operational dams in Iran, but now thanks to Iran’s scientists, Iran enjoys 990 dams. You could say and find the same trend of progress in Zimbabwe.
I’ll give you a single example – the rate of literacy through the dedication of Zimbabwe’s President His Excellency Mr Robert Gabriel Mugabe ranks among the first on the African continent with more a than 96 percent literacy rate. Definitely, this cannot be achieved within a day. That’s a three-decade dedication.

TM: Apart from all this, what have the two nations learnt from each other, and what is the way forward?
MP: Well, when you look at the Iranian people, you will see that Iran’s socio-cultural life is amalgamated with Islamic knowledge especially with Shia school of thought. To be brief, I should say in the Islamic history, there is the month of Ramadhan. During that month, people fast from sunrise to sunset. That manner of fasting has taught people over the centuries how they should increase their degree of tolerance.

Therefore, since we cannot ignore some aspects of sanctions such lack of medicines that we are not producing in Iran and the need to import spare parts for civilian aircraft, which has caused plane crashes albeit, it has not stopped the trend of development. There are a great number of issues being learnt from each other.
Definitely, when you step in the realm of humanity and socio-cultural aspect of life, you embrace the reign of semilogy that requires pondering for years. You cannot elaborate revolutionary ideals, patience, tolerance and dedication, which are manifested in aspects of life in both countries. That spectrum of devotion is highlighted in commitment of both nations through progress. The ray of hope is coming from both countries. So let’s say there is a lot to be cited.

TM: Your tour of duty was during the phase of the Government of National Unity. But, Zimbabweans will vote in a referendum for the draft constitution next month, and they are likely to hold harmonised elections more or less the same time as Iran in June or July. What does this mean for the two countries’ relations?
MP: If you look at the history of the Islamic revolution and Zimbabwe, you could easily understand that it’s not the first time to hold elections. In the Islamic Republic of Iran we have held 10 presidential elections so far and more than thirty different sorts of elections. Our people have always manifested great participation in elections and the next presidential elections in both countries will be no exception.

TM: Iran took over the Non-Aligned Movement rotating chairperson during your tenure as the Islamic Republic’s ambassador in Zimbabwe. President Mugabe attended that 16th NAM summit in Tehran.
Critics argue that despite the numbers, the organisation has very little to show in terms of achievements on the global arena. They also argue that the organisation is a toothless bulldog, a talk shop, which lacks political, economic and military might to assert itself. Could that be fair assessment?
MP: Allow me once again to render our appreciation to His Excellency Mr Robert Gabriel Mugabe for attending the 16th NAM Summit in Tehran. As you are well aware, the Non-Aligned Movement is composed of 120 member states and more than 17 observer countries, that is two thirds of member states of the United Nations. It ipso facto manifests the status of NAM. On the other hand, it indicates the role of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the safety and security of the country for hosting the summit and the trust of the international community for attesting the chairmanship to the Islamic Republic of Iran.

It clearly reaffirms the dynamic diplomacy of Iran in the world arena and the great attendance witnessed in the 16th NAM Summit proves this claim.
If you look at international organisations, the top of the cream no doubt, everyone will say the UN is the top most.

But unfortunately, if we judge based on performance, we will by no means be completely satisfied by the performance of the UN especially in the critical war stricken areas. There are quite a number of areas that the UN did not fulfill required expectations. In that sense member states of NAM are requested to show synergy and good practices can be copied by other member states.

TM: Iran’s geo-political position especially its role in the Middle East is considered very central. What is Iran’s role in the region?
MP: The region, without Iran makes no sense because when you look at Iran you will see different ethnic communities. You will see in different parts of Iran people who speak different dialects. Iran houses diverse nations but is united. In that sense, the same can be seen in the region and beyond.
Trans-territoriality ideals of Iran are the same wishes and ideals of the nations in the region and beyond. That’s why in the region whenever you step in the countries you talk about, Iran being well known. Many exchanges including tourism and business have taken place. Iran enjoys a great history and civilisation. It has always observed diplomacy of mutual respect. Iranians are famous for their hospitality and friendship. We have constructed our relationship with all the countries and particularly neighbouring countries through sincere, amicable ties and based on the ideology that we should fight against oppression and support the oppressed.

As the proverb goes, “If you live in a glass house do not throw stones”. Our Supreme Leader portrays that those seeking to produce nuclear weapons as a matter of fact are doomed to destroying themselves. It’s a simple fact. If you have an arsenal of nuclear bombs and if an incident happens, the whole place would be wiped off. There were instances of nuclear failures that nuclear power plants were damaged in the world. Consequences of those nuclear failures were devastating. Were those failures because of external attacks? So the Zionist regime produces nuclear warheads. If an incident happens as in other cases then you can imagine the devastating implications of that.

TM: Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says that Iran won’t negotiate with the United States under threat. What conditions are you putting to the Americans before you can dialogue with them?
MP: Friendship under threat is not friendship but subjugation, slavery and manipulation. Friendship should be chosen not infused. There are lots of exchanges between academicians, sports and businesspersons – nation to nation. Academicians of the USA will never talk about friendship under pressure.

I do think the media plays an important role. It can have prophetic and satanic missions? To that notion we have tried to link the media of both countries together, Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation with IRIB of Iran, the Herald with FARS and Mehr News Agency, New Ziana of Zimbabwe with IRNA. Moreover some Iranian movie products such as St. Mary, St. Joseph the Prophet, Avicenna and many other serials have been presented to ZBC to be screened for the good of the public.