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“THE PRESIDENT OF IRAN ANNOUNCES RATIONS & SUBSIDIES” 
FROM THE -
JOURNALS of Monte Friesner ~ Sunday December 19, 2010 >
Financial Crime Consultant for WANTED SA >
WANTED SA has learned this today that Iran's president on Saturday announced the start of a plan to slash energy and food subsidies, part of government efforts to boost the nation's ailing economy.
In an interview with state television, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the deep cuts to the subsidies "will start beginning Sunday," and vowed to fully cut all subsidies by the end of his term in 2013.
The move comes as Iran remains deadlocked with the U.S. and its allies over Tehran's disputed nuclear program. The U.N. Security Council slapped a fourth round of sanctions on Iran last summer over its refusal to halt uranium enrichment, and there are signs the penalties are taking a toll on the nation's economy.
Still, Iran had planned the cuts before the latest sanctions, and Ahmadinejad and his allies have long insisted the country's oil-based economy could no longer afford the largesse. Iran says it is paying some $100 billion in subsidies annually, although experts believe the amount is about $30 billion.
Economists say the unpopular plan to cut subsidies could stoke inflation unofficially estimated to be over 20 percent. The cuts also are widely seen as placing added burdens on Iranians, whose country is already weighed down by sweeping international sanctions imposed on Tehran over its disputed nuclear program.
The subsidy cuts come as Iranian leaders try to boost the country's struggling economy, which is heavily dependent on oil exports. Some 80 percent of Iran's foreign revenue comes from exporting crude.
In the interview, Ahmadinejad also addressed recent talks with six world powers in Geneva early this month over Tehran's nuclear program.
Ahmadinejad, who has staunchly defended Iran's right to nuclear development, described the Geneva talks as "good," possibly indicating that Iran is willing to discuss concerns over its nuclear program.
"I carefully studied the minutes of the talks. I saw positive points," he said. "The time has come to turn the policy of confrontation to one of cooperation."
The U.S. and some of its allies accuse Iran of using its civilian nuclear program as a cover to develop nuclear weapons. Iran denies the charges, saying its nuclear program is merely geared toward generating electricity and producing medical isotopes for patients.
The U.S. wants Tehran to fully open all facilities to international inspection and to give up uranium enrichment, a key element that could give it a pathway to a bomb. Iran says it has a right to enrich uranium to produce nuclear fuel.
The talks in Geneva concluded with the parties agreeing to reconvene early next year in Istanbul.
WANTED SA kindly thanks Westlaw, Arutz Sheva, Associated Press, all the Parties, Press, Journalists, Law Enforcement and Securities forces who have contributed to this article and their sincere opinions and statements.
