Iran conservatives sack architect of airport deal with TAV

Transportation Minister Ahmad Khorram signed a deal with the Turkish-Austrian consortium Tepe-Akfen-Vie (TAV) to operate Imam Khomeini Airport. Conservative lawmakers believe the contract compromised Iran’s security and aviation systems, accusing TAV of having ties with arch foe Israel. Feelings about the Turkish contract rose so high that the elite Revolutionary Guards, who support the conservatives, shut down the airport on the day of its inauguration in May.

In a statement from Istanbul yesterday, TAV expressed regret at Parliament’s decision but said it was an internal matter for Iran. "We are waiting for the Parliament to finalize decision on the contract previously signed with Transportation Ministry," said the statement.

Khorram, in a speech to defend his performance, said his ministry observed all legal conditions set forth by the Intelligence Ministry before awarding the contract to TAV. "The contract with TAV is to operate services, not management of the airport," Khorram said.

Last week, parliament approved a bill forcing the government to seek legislative approval for the TAV contract as well as another contract with Turkcell, a Turkish mobile-phone network, to upgrade the GSM network. Sunday’s vote and comments by lawmakers suggested that the government has little chance of winning parliamentary approval for the TAV deal.

Of the 258 deputies present in the 290-seat parliament on a Sunday session, 188 voted in favour of sacking the minister, 58 against, and the rest were undecided. The move was the latest blow to reformist President Muhammad Khatami and his government.

Khorram became the first minister in Khatami’s government to be ousted by the new parliament, whose mostly conservative members were elected in February elections. A senior conservative lawmaker, former deputy foreign minister Alaeddin Boroujerdi, said the vote was parliament’s "show of strength."

"Definitely, we can inaugurate and operate the airport using Iranian contractors and contributions without foreign help," said senior lawmaker Mohammad Reza Bahonar.

"This is the beginning (for Khatami’s government)," warned conservative lawmaker Reza Attarzadeh.

The Iranian lawmakers accused Khorram of misappropriating public funds, saying he spent $4,500 to decorate his office and $2.25 million for the airport inauguration ceremony in May. Khorram denied the charges. "I use a chair that is 25 years old. The reports are not true," he said. Khorram said he refused to give in to demands by lawmakers to dismiss some of his managers because "not a single piece of evidence was provided to prove my managers are guilty of any wrongdoing."