Madam, – I would like to clarify some key issues which have been ignored by the media regarding Manouchehr Mottaki, Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs and his recent working visit to Ireland.
1. During the days before Mr Mottaki’s trip, Ireland, like the rest of the world, was furious at the barbaric siege by the Israeli forces of the Turkish aid ship to Gaza’s population, and numerous protests took place opposing the siege.
2. Subsequently, the Irish aid ship was unable to deliver the aid directly to the people of Gaza and this caused even more fury.
3. An hour before Mr Mottaki addressed a meeting in the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA) in Dublin, he met Derek Graham, captain of the Irish aid ship, in the Dáil.
4. Although numerous recommendations were made to the IIEA regarding security issues and permitting only the invited crowd to the meeting, proper measures were not taken.
5. A week beforehand, during a number of meetings, An Garda Síochána was reminded about members of the terrorist group of MKO, their operation in Ireland and necessary security measures.
6. Half an hour before the meeting, instead of the Garda informing the delegation, I had to inform them about the protest at the gate of the European Institute. I demanded the proper distance of the protest to the entrance of the European Institute be maintained.
7. Unfortunately there was no security present within the IIEA and if the Iranian security had not been present, a sad incident could have ruined the reputation of Ireland and the European Institute.
8. The offenders, with the purpose of gaining refugee status in Ireland and to prove they are in danger, had designed this scenario.
9. Above these people were others who pre-planned to divert attention from the issue of Gaza and Israeli crimes.
10. Mr Mottaki’s trip was organised with the understanding of both Ireland and Iran six years after the last visit of the Iranian foreign minister to Ireland and some clear and useful negotiations took place.
11. As the Jerusalem Post indicated, Israel had concerns about Mr Mottaki’s trip to Ireland and about the visit influencing the discussions of Security Council with regards to Iran.
12. The date was organised with the understanding of the two countries and, when it was finally accepted by the Irish authorities, had nothing to do with the Security Council meeting.
13. The most important goal of the designers of this attack to Mr Mottaki was to divert the attention of the public from the Israeli crimes against the aid ships.
14. Paying attention to two Iranian security men who have acted on duty instead of the local security authorities misdirects public opinion. – Yours, etc,