Redstate

How the international system sometime works

By Soren Dayton Posted in 2008 | IAEA | Iran | Sri Lanka | Terorrism — Comments (0) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »

Here are two facts for you about a recent change in the relationship between Sri Lanka and Iran. First, Iran makes some offers to Sri Lanka:

President Mahmud Ahmadinejad of Iran is to visit Sri Lanka for two days from April 28,2008. ... His engagements will include the inauguration of the construction of the Iranian-funded ( US $ 450 million) Uma Oya hydroelectricity project at Wellawaya in the Monaragala district. ... The visit is also expected to result in the finalisation of an agreement for Iranian financial and technical assistance for enabling the Sapugaskanda oil refinery to handle Iran’s light crude. This project is expected to result in a further Iranian investment of US $ one billion.

And:

Iran has also agreed to train the Sri Lankan Army and Intelligence officers in Iran. A team of about 10 officers has already proceeded to Iran for training. Sri Lanka has already shared with Iranian Intelligence the manuals of Israeli equipment purchased by it in the past.

In exchange, the Chinese News Agency reports the following with the headline, "Sri Lanka supports Iran's peaceful use of nuclear energy":

Sri Lanka said Tuesday that it supports the peaceful use of nuclear energy by Iran within the framework of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The lesson? The best indicator of Iranian (and Chinese) influence is investment. Gee. I wonder how Iranian influence grows at the UN.