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A6 WORLD NEWS
Thursday 13 July 2023

Iran’s leader, visiting Africa, attacks Western support for homosexuality

By CARA ANNA and ROD- a major diplomatic break-
NEY MUHUMUZA through.
Associated Press Iran is in a growing standoff
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — with Western nations over
Iran’s president on a rare its nuclear program, which
visit to Africa on Wednes- has made major advances
day sharply criticized West- in the five years since then-
ern nations’ support for ho- U.S. President Donald Trump
mosexuality as one of the withdrew his country from
“dirtiest” episodes of hu- an international agreement
man history. that restricted it. Trump also
President Ebrahim Raisi restored sanctions on Iran
spoke in Uganda, which that have contributed to a
recently passed anti-gay severe economic crisis. The
legislation prescribing the U.S. last month accused
death penalty for “aggra- Iran of providing Russia with
vated homosexuality,” to materials to build a drone
widespread international manufacturing plant as
condemnation. Moscow seeks weaponry
“I believe that this issue, for its ongoing invasion of
and these strong attacks Ukraine. Iran has said it pro-
by the West against the es- vided drones to Russia be-
tablishment of families and fore the start of the war but
against the culture of the Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi speaks at a joint press conference after meeting with Kenya’s not since.
nations, is another area of President William Ruto at State House in Nairobi, Kenya Wednesday, July 12, 2023. Kenya is East Africa’s eco-
Associated Press
cooperation for Iran and nomic hub and an ally of
Uganda,” Raisi said after By emphasizing conserva- oranda of understanding a manufacturing plant for the U.S., with President Joe
a private meeting with tism and anti-colonialism signed by Iran and Kenya Iranian vehicles in Kenya’s Biden’s wife, Jill, visiting the
Ugandan President Yoweri in his Uganda remarks, he appeared not to address port city of Mombasa, Ruto country early this year. Last
Museveni. appeared ready to bond either one. Instead, they fo- added. year, the U.S. and Kenya
“The Western countries try with African countries on cused on information, com- Raisi’s Africa visit is meant signed a memorandum of
to identify homosexuality more than purely econom- munication and technol- to “promote economic di- understanding on “strate-
as an index of civilization, ic grounds. ogy; fisheries; animal health plomacy, strengthen po- gic civil nuclear coopera-
while this is one of the dirti- At his first stop in Kenya, and livestock production litical relations with friendly tion.” Kenya has expressed
est things which have been Iran’s leader called Africa and investment promotion. and aligned countries, and interest in using nuclear
done in human history,” a “continent of opportuni- Kenyan President William diversify the export destina- power for energy produc-
Raisi said. ties” and a great platform Ruto called Iran a “criti- tions,” Iran’s foreign ministry tion. Kenya is struggling
The African visit is the first for Iranian products. “None cal strategic partner” and said in a statement. with debt and rising cost
by an Iranian leader in of us is satisfied with the cur- “global innovation power- Last month, Iran’s leader of living, with more deadly
more than a decade as rent volume of trade,” he house.” Tea accounts for made his first visit to Latin protests on Wednesday.
the country, which is under said. the bulk of Kenya’s exports America, stopping in Ven- Uganda’s president, a
heavy U.S. economic sanc- Raisi specifically mentioned to Iran, but Ruto expressed ezuela, Cuba and Nica- U.S. ally on security mat-
tions, seeks more partner- Africa’s mineral resources interest in expanding the ragua. In March, Iran and ters, has previously voiced
ships around the world. Rai- and Iran’s petrochemical range of agricultural ex- Saudi Arabia agreed to re- support for Iran’s nuclear
si is also visiting Zimbabwe. experience, but the mem- ports. Iran intends to set up establish diplomatic ties in program.q

Kerry to visit Beijing for climate talks amid efforts to revive relations

between US and China

BEIJING (AP) — U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry will travel to Beijing
next week to discuss strategies for limiting global warming, amid a push by the world’s
two largest economies to reengage on multiple issues following a sharp decline in con-
tacts.
Kerry’s office said he will arrive Sunday and depart July 19. He is due to meet with his
counterpart Xie Zhenhua, with whom he has established a strong working relationship.
“During meetings with PRC officials, Secretary Kerry aims to engage with the PRC on ad-
dressing the climate crisis, including with respect to increasing implementation and am-
bition and promoting a successful COP28,” Kerry’s office said in a press release, referring
to China’s formal title, the People’s Republic of China, and the UN Climate Change
Conference scheduled to be held in the United Arab Emirates in November and De-
cember.
Kerry’s visit comes on the heels of one by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who ap-
pealed to China on Saturday for cooperation on climate change and other global
challenges and not to let disagreements about trade and other irritants derail relations. John Kerry, United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate,
In a meeting with her Chinese counterpart, Vice Premier He Lifeng, Yellen defended speaks after a news conference given by China’s Special Envoy
U.S. restrictions on technology exports that rankle Beijing. She said the two governments for Climate Change Xie Zhenhua at the COP26 U.N. Climate
shouldn’t let such disagreements disrupt thriving economic and financial relations.q Summit in Glasgow, Scotland, on Nov. 10, 2021.
Associated Press