Radio Free Europe
“Radio Farda”
25, June 2012

In an attempt to defend the overwhelming presence of Sepaah (Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps) in nearly every major division of the government, from Intelligence to Military, National Security and Economy, Ali Saeedi, Ayatollah Khamenei’s main representative in IRGC, says: “Sepaah has the ability to embark on certain large projects with which the private sector can never compete and therefore wouldn’t even attempt. Making an effort to reconstruct the country is Sepaah’s intrinsic mission.”

Mr. Saeedi’s speech at the “Book of the Year Ceremony” held in city of Qom last Saturday, included: “By taking over certain projects, Sepaah has effectively replaced every French and German company formerly in charge of, in an effort to safeguard the foundations of the regime and the revolution, and as such, its presence in the country’s Economy and Banking System, is quite justified.” Reports ISNA, Iranian Student News Agency.

On the contrary, Mehrdad Emadi, European Union economic adviser, had previously said to Radio Farda that Sepaah has in fact, damaged the private sector, by interfering in economy. “Sepaah’s heaviest involvement has been in the country’s economy. Under the pretext of economic development in favor of the private sector, it embarked on certain activities with the sole intention of driving out the private sector from every large project.”

He adds, “As a result, every major project from Construction of buildings, roads, dams, airports to foreign trade, in which the private sector had spent decades and significant volumes of effort and investment in the hopes of developing the country’s economy, has been taken over by the Sepaah, that in certain cases has even used its political and Security influence to drive the private sector out of all large projects, by threats and intimidation.”

In response to criticisms to Sepaah’s economic activity, Mr. Saeedi reiterates his point: “We are all merely engaging in a psychological warfare. Some keep asking for reasons as to why there is a competition between Sepaah and the private sector. Well, maybe at some point in the past the parameters of Sepaah’s projects were so large that some could be handled by the private sector. Today, however, study shows that the magnitude of many projects is simply beyond the reach and ability of the private sector to compete with.”

He adds: “For instance, we have received reports from Khatam-ol-anbia in reference to a certain city in Kerman province left in seriously dire conditions. However, after much reconstructing efforts made by Sepaah, today this town has roads, schools and healthcare facilities. But sadly there are no ways or means of publicizing Sepaah’s efforts. I think perhaps those in the news media, should write about and inform the society of such stories.”

The past several years have seen a significant increase in Sepaah’s involvement in economic activities particularly in oil and gas field that has been the focus of the sanctions.

The end of Iran-Iraq war marked the point of entry into Iran’s Economy for Sepaah, under the lead of Mohsen Rezaie, IRGC Commander at the time.

This organization is also accused of meddling in the country’s politics. Ali Motahari, one Majlis MP has publicly accused the Sepaah of “Organizing” (staging up) the recent Parliament Elections. Sepaah has denied the accusations.

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http://www.radiofarda.com/content/f5-sepah-pasdaran-irgc-says-it-is-normal-to-be-in-iran-economy/24623886.html