0700 GMT: Elections Watch. It may be two weeks since Iran's Parliamentary elections, with the uncertainties over the actual turnout, but Iranian officials are still pushing the event as a historic triumph. Fars features First Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi's proclamation, "The Iranian nation created a great epic in a free election shattering the smallest hope of the enemies and ill-wishers of the country. The enemies of the nation feared the message and ideals of the Islamic Republic and its impact on the entire region and the hearts of the nations."
However, even the most forthright of declarations can display cracks in propaganda. Fars asserts, "Initial estimates showed that at least 65% of [Iranians} have been present at the polling stations."
"Estimates"? Surely the website should be putting out "confirmed" turnout 15 days after the vote?
0644 GMT: Amidst a quiet phase in Iran ahead of New Year on Tuesday, we begin with the revelation of politics and propaganda in State news agency IRNA's lead item: "Great Success for New Delhi's Trip to Iran".
The article has little information about the Indian trade delegation's five-day stay, relying instead on the pro forma statement of the head of Indian exporters, Rafeeque Ahmad, "This very positive trip was a great success for us. We discussed the very good ways and capabilities for economic exchanges."
The significance instead is in the timing and the headline status of the piece. Amidst the tightening sanctions, Tehran is increasingly eager to highlight partnerships, not just for economic but for political reasons. Although there are still serious issues about the expansion of trade with India --- Delhi's payments for oil have not been fully resolved, despite the agreement that 45% can be in rupees --- the Iranian line is that non-oil trade shows the willingness of the Asian country to defy the US-led sanctions.
And AFP at least is willing to give a helping hand: it echoes the Iranian report as "India Trade Mission to Iran 'Very Successful'", adding its interview with Ahmed, "The visit was very good and very successful. We saw a lot of interest from the Iranians in buying Indian goods," Ahmed told AFP late on Saturday. We talked about the excellent opportunities in food grains, food processing, pharmaceuticals, auto parts and other areas."
Posted via email from lissping
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