Iran, Belarus Form Alliance in Face of U.S. Pressure

[TexasLawyer]

Source: Blomberg

Iran, Belarus Form Alliance in Face of U.S. Pressure

By Lucian Kim

May 21 (Bloomberg) -- Iran and Belarus, both under U.S. sanctions, formed a ``strategic'' alliance today to boost energy ties and counter American pressure on their economies. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad landed in the Belarusian capital Minsk today, where he received a traditional welcome from his counterpart Alexander Lukashenko. Russian state television showed Ahmadinejad breaking off a piece of bread held by a young woman in folk costume.

"Belarus and Iran adhere to international law," Lukashenko said, according to state news agency Belta. "We are ready to cooperate in all fields." The two countries had $36 million of trade last year.

Lukashenko, who is banned from visiting the U.S. and European Union, wants to build relations with energy producers like Iran and Venezuela after falling out with former ally Russia. The visit by Ahmadinejad, whom the U.S. accuses of seeking to build a nuclear bomb, comes after Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez traveled to the country in March.

The "strategic partnership" will be based on energy agreements, Belta reported. The two countries are completing an accord to jointly develop the Jofair oil field, which Iran shares with Iraq. Lukashenko visited Iran in November.

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Read more: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601085&sid=ad4fh.ZGU1Ws&refer=europe

[Demeter]

1. Can You Blame Them?

America is no longer defined by her friends (we have none) but by our enemies (and they are legion) and our client-states (mostly down to corporations now, although I guess we buy a lot of Pakistani lip gloss still).

[TheLastMohican]

2. The "uniter"

is making absolutely sure, that more and more countries will just ignore us when making business or trading goods.

This is what the bushistas wanted, and this is what they've got.