Tehran Times, Iran
Nov 20 2004

Iran surrounded by countries with ‘high-risk terrorism’: Report

LONDON (IRNA) — Iran is completely surrounded by neighboring
countries with far higher security problems than itself, according to
the latest annual report by the UK-based Control Risks Group. Its
RiskMap for 2005 identifies Iraq as an ‘Extreme Security Risk,’ saying
that insecurity had reached “unprecedented levels towards the end of
2004 and looks set to continue.” Iran was classed as a ‘Low Security
Risk,’ but Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia and the bordering areas of
Armenia and Azerbaijan were rated as ‘High Security Risk.’ Other
neighboring countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman Qatar, Russia,
Turkey and the United Arab Emirates as well as the remainder of
Armenia and Azerbaijan were identified as a ‘Medium Security Risk.’

Control Risks specializes in forecasting opportunities and trouble
spots for businesses, working with more than 5,300 clients in over 130
countries.

Its definition of Extreme Security Risk is where the severity of
security risks to assets or personnel is likely to make business
operations untenable.

The high level is when there is a probability that foreign companies
will face security problems and requires special measures as state
protection is very limited.

Medium risk is for countries where there is a reasonable possibility
of security problems affecting companies as against low risk, when
assets are deemed to be secure and authorities provide adequate
protection.

In judging Iran, Control Risks suggested that the country’s nuclear
program would continue to dominate international relations in 2005.
It also believed that effective UN sanctions remained unlikely, but
said that this “may force the US or Israel to take decisive action,
possibly involving air strikes against nuclear sites. It ruled out any
full-scale military action, saying this was “not in prospect.”