NIGER: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visits Niger to seek more business and political support in Africa

Record ID: 236022

  • Title: NIGER: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visits Niger to seek more business and political support in Africa
  • Date: 15th April 2013
  • Summary: NIAMEY, NIGER (APRIL 15, 2013) (REUTERS) BANNER WITH IMAGES OF IRANIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD AND NIGER PRESIDENT MAHAMADOU ISSOUFOU AHMADINEJAD ARRIVING AT NIAMEY AIRPORT, GETTING OFF PLANE VARIOUS OF AHMADINEJAD WELCOMED BY ISSOUFOU
  • Embargoed: 30th April 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Niger
  • Country: Niger
  • Topics: Business,Politics,Energy
  • Reuters ID: LVAOD10RJPKX8CNZR2W3RB07A16
  • Story Text: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrived on Monday (April 15) in Niger, the world's No. 4 uranium producer, where the French nuclear group Areva has seen its grip on the industry loosened by a government looking to diversify its business partners.
    Niger is the second of three stops in a trip aimed at deepening Iran's ties with Africa, a continent Ahmadinejad has courted for business deals and diplomatic support as the Islamic Republic becomes increasingly isolated by international sanctions prompted by its disputed nuclear programme.
    Ahmadinejad was greeted at the airport by Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou and, without making a statement, was taken in a convoy to the rundown riverside capital, Niamey. A group of youth gathered and sang outside the airport holding pictures of the Iranian leader.
    "It's the first time we welcome an Iranian president in Niger. This proves that Nigerien diplomacy, for two years, has been working well," said Amadou Saley Seydou, a Nigerien man.
    Last week, Iran said it had started up two uranium mines and a milling plant, and that Western opposition would not slow its nuclear work.
    According to some Western analysts, Iran may be close to exhausting reserves of raw uranium that are crucial to its nuclear activity and might have to seek out foreign sources, although the U.N. sanctions would forbid such purchases.
    Iran denies Western accusations that it is stockpiling enriched uranium as potential nuclear weapons fuel, not for future civilian power stations as it maintains.
    Before arriving in Niger, Ahmadinejad was in Benin, where according to media reports he said Iran had no need to use uranium to develop an atomic bomb.
    Niger Foreign Minister Mohamed Bazoum said uranium was not on the official agenda but might still come up.
    Some think the Iranian leader's visit could signal new economic development for the African country.
    "For Niger, I think it's very important. Iran has recently started producing oil, I think that Iran can help Niger a great deal in that sector," said Abdoul Aziz Hassane, who was at the airport to greet Ahmadinejad.
    There is broad frustration in Niger that one of the world's least developed nations, much of it desert, has not benefited more from decades of mining by Areva, which is controlled by the French state.
    This month, several thousand people protested on the streets of Niamey against Areva, burning French flags.
    Talks are continuing between Niger and Areva, which has agreed to pay 35 million euros ($46 million) in compensation over delays to the planned Imouraren project.
    After Niger, Ahmadinejad travels to oil-producing Ghana in his last stop for the week's West African tour.
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