Syrian Official Expresses Hope For Freedom Of Iranian Technicians ASAP

Damascus, Jan 19, IRNA – Electricity Minister Imad Khamis expressed hope here Wednesday for the release from captivity of Iranian kidnapped technicians at Jandar Power Station in central Syria as soon as possible. Deeb Khamis who was speaking in a press conference at his ministry added, “We are really sorry for the kidnapping of these Iranian friends who were here to assist the Syrian nation, and we are cooperating round the clock with Syrian security officials who are trying hard for their release.” A reporter asked Khamis whether the kidnapped technicians are members of the Islamic Republic Guard Corps (IRGC). The Syrian minister replied, “They are affiliated to Mapna Company, with whose members I have been acquainted for many years, and I know that they are not members of any military organ, but merely technicians who were assisting us in constructing new power generators in our country.” He said, “Unfortunately there is a huge propagation onslaught going on against Syria today and such claims, too, are made by antagonist media outlets.” Deeb Khamis added, “We consider these people as members of our own families and are trying our best to return them to the warm embrace of their families as soon as possible, while accepting full responsibility for securing the safety of the entire Iranian and other foreign citizens who are our partners in Syria.” He emphasized, “The construction work at Jandar Electrical Power Plant continues and the projects with the Iranian technicians and those with other nationalities continue in accordance with their respective schedules, as efforts are focused on putting them to use right on time.” Seven Iranian engineers and technicians who were working at Jandar Electrical Power Plant were kidnapped n late December, 2011 by armed bandits who are fighting against the Syrian central government. Khamis referred to the point that documents on armed bandits’ violation of the rights of the technicians working at that electrical power point have been delivered to the Arab League monitors, adding, “Fuel, gas-oil, and natural gas are sufficient for running our entire power stations, and currently the only problem is transferring them to the power plants.” Focusing on recent remarks by Syrian Grand Mufti Sheikh Ahmad Hasoun, who said that one of the present day plans of the enemies is attacking the Syrian electricity facilities, he said, “The army and police forces are trying day and night to ensure the security of these power stations throughout the country.” Khamis referred to the 1,000 to 1,700 megawatt daily electricity shortage in Syrian currently, adding, “Our contracts with neighboring countries, including those with Turkey are still in effect bilaterally, but on imports of electricity multilaterally we would in near future enter talks with a group of our neighboring countries.” Speaking on the effects of the European Union imposed sanctions against Syria, he said, “These punishments would definitely hurt the ordinary people.” Khamis said that invasions by armed bandits against the country’s electricity network, blocking the path for feeding them with fuel by exploding the railways and the fuel tankers are among the major problems for this ministry in the way of providing electricity for our people.” He said, “Currently Syria’s electricity production is 8,500 megawatts and the suffered material losses due to armed attacks and the power failures thus far amount to 23 billion Liras.” (65 Liras equal one US dollar). Managing director of Mapna Combined Cycle Power Plants Construction and Development (Development 2) Company elaborated on the kidnapping of seven Iranian engineers working for Syria's Jandar power plant project. in a press conference last week, which is reflected in the company’s website. Addressing reporters, Mohammad Ebrahim Mossali stated in Tehran, “On Tuesday morning, 20th of September 2011, five Iranian engineers and technicians of 'Fan Avaran Sanat Gostar Zagros Company' (subcontractor of Development 2 Company) involved in the construction of Jandar power plant in Homs Province of Syria were kidnapped by unknown individuals and transferred to an unidentified location on the way to the power plant site from their residences. These individuals include Sajad Amirian, electrical engineer and supervisor of electrical equipment testing group, Ahmad Sohrabi Kortabad, electrical technician and workshop supervisor, Hassan Hassani, electrical technician and electrical equipment installer, Majid Ghanbari Bidromi, electric technician, also in charge of testing the electrical equipment, and Kyumars Ghobadi, electrical technician and electrical equipment installer.” He added, “One day after this incident, Pejman Boyeri, electrical engineer and supervisor of the workshop for the construction of power plant's substation from Parsian Post Company as contractor of Mapna Company and Abdolkhalegh Sahneh, HSE expert of Development 2 Company who had travelled to the project site in order to figure out the fate of their kidnapped colleagues were as well kidnapped and to this date, we have no information whatsoever about the fate of our colleagues.” According to Mossali, three Arabic speaking non Iranian nationals have disappeared as well. The managing director of Mapna Combined Cycle Power Plants Construction and Development (Development 2) Company further expressed the hope that any likely misunderstanding will soon be removed and the above mentioned individuals get back to work in Jandar project. He stated that Mapna is prepared to raise and pursue the issue at the international circles, although we are already following up their case with the Syrian company PEEGT as employer of the project, he added. Mossali expressed the hope that his employees will return to their families soon. Mapna Company is constructing Syria’s Teshrin and Jandar combined cycle power plants. Teshrin project is about to be commissioned while Jandar power plant project has experienced a progress of 70% and is expected to go into operation next summer./end