Iran grateful for RI support: Envoy

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has expressed gratitude to Indonesia for its rejection of a UN Security Council statement condemning calls he made for the destruction of Israel's Zionist regime.

As quoted by the Indonesian special envoy for the Middle East, Alwi Shihab, Ahmadinejad said Indonesia's stance on the UNSC statement had displayed the country's high-level of independence amid pressure from Western countries.

Alwi recently met with Ahmadinejad in Tehran to present a letter from President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to the Iranian president.

Earlier this month, Indonesia became the only UNSC member to reject the statement denouncing Ahmadinejad's remarks on Israel.

Indonesia said the decision to target the president's remarks was unfair and that on occasion the UN has remained silent on issues that directly threaten international peace and security.

In light of the government's stance, there was little, if any, reaction from domestic politicians who had been clamoring over Indonesia's decision to throw its weight behind further UN sanctions against Iran in April over its nuclear ambitions.

During the visit to Tehran, Alwi, who was foreign affairs minister under former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur' Wahid, also held a meeting with Iranian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Mehdi Mostafavi.

Ahmadinejad said that Iran and Indonesia have long enjoyed an amiable relationship and differences between the two countries should quickly be mended so third parties could not interfere.

"I believe that my relationship with Indonesia, especially with the Indonesian President, is special, and I believe that this special relationship will prevail," Alwi said, quoting Ahmadinejad.

Alwi met with Yudhoyono on Friday to present him with Ahmadinejad's reply to his letter.

Ahmadinejad embarked on a stately visit to Indonesia in May last year in an effort to rally support for Iran's nuclear program.

In his letter to Ahmadinejad, Yudhoyono highlighted the renewal of the relationship between Iran and Indonesia and said the two countries could pursue closer cooperation in cultural affairs, oil and gas ventures, small and medium enterprises and customs.

Yudhoyono also conveyed the government's support for Iran's nuclear projects on the proviso they were conducted with peaceful purposes in mind.

On his visit, Alwi and his delegation also struck a deal for the creation of a fertilizer company.

Both the Indonesian and Iranian governments have agreed to finance the project through the Asian Development Bank.

The Iranian government has also granted an opportunity to state-owned gas company PT PGN to develop Iranian downstream gas sector.