World Press on Iran, Turkey and the Caucasus (September 22, 2011)

The Washington Post reported that two American hikers jailed in Iran since 2009 were freed from prison Wednesday and flown to Oman, where they were reunited with joyful family members. Shane Bauer and Joshua Fattal, both 29, were released Wednesday evening local time after spending more than two years in prison on charges of illegal entry and espionage since they and a companion, Sarah Shourd, were arrested on the border between Iraq and Iran while hiking in the mountainous region. Shourd, who was freed last year and is engaged to Bauer, was on hand in Oman to greet the two as they ran down the stairs from the private plane that picked them up in Iran and flew them to freedom. The release came a day before Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was scheduled to address the U.N. General Assembly in New York, and it seemed timed at least in part as a goodwill gesture ahead of the speech.

The New York Times published the interview with Iranian President Ahmadinejad, “A Few Words With Iran’s President.” The author says that Mr. Ahmadinejad repeated an offer made in a Washington Post interview this month to stop all nuclear enrichment if the West would supply nuclear fuel enriched to a 20 percent level. He insisted that Iran will happily give up its enrichment processing if it can get this enriched uranium for “cancer treatment medication.” Mr. Ahmadinejad also indulged in a bit of triumphalism. He acknowledged that the West’s “crippling” sanctions against Iran had “worked well.” But he added: “Does Iran face more problems or the United States of America?” He referred to the “collapse” of the American financial system and suggested that Iran’s economy is in better shape.

“Russia dominates 'great game' with fresh moves” is an article published by the Turkish information agency Hurriyet Daily News. It says that Russia’s Gazprom has taken another step forward in a fierce competition to carry natural gas to the European Union after a hot week of deals, share transfers and critical decisions. The EU’s decision last week to “directly” negotiate a treaty with Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan was a move that weakened Turkey’s position in both buying and transferring natural gas to Europe, according to Necdet Pamir, a board member at the World Energy Council Turkish National Committee. Azerbaijani Industry and Energy Minister Natig Aliyev said last week that the remaining conflicts between Turkey and his country about a supply deal are over costs.

The Press TV reported that Iranian ambassador to Sofia Gholamreza Baqeri Moqadam has announced the Islamic Republic's willingness to build an oil refinery near the Bulgarian city of Varna. Baqeri Moghadam proposed the idea during a meeting with the District Governor of Bulgaria's Varna Dancho Simeonov on Tuesday. The envoy further explained that Iran could implement the project entirely on its own, through a joint venture or by contracting. Iran enjoys vast experience in the oil processing industry, said the top diplomat, adding that 10 refineries as well as more facilities are under construction in the country.