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Sunday, May 09, 2004
Summary of Iran News - BBC Monitoring, May 8-9th
May 09, 2004
BBC Monitoring
BBC Monitoring Middle East
Iran: Guards commander says he has "shocking" evidence of torture by US [in] Iraq
Text of report by Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) web site
Tehran, 9 May: Guards commander Jazayeri has stressed: American President George [W.] [Bush] must be put on trial because he is the top American torturer.
According to a report by the news reception unit of the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA), Guards commander Jazayeri, who is the head of the public relations and publications of the [Islamic Revolution Guards] Corps commented on revelations about the torture of Iraqi prisoners by American forces deployed in Iraq, stressing: What we can understand from the totality of news reports is that the American president, the British prime minister, as well as other officials of those two countries, were fully informed about the torture and harassment of prisoners and, for that reason, if the international community is intent upon confronting those who perpetrated those ugly and medieval deeds, then they must think about putting Bush and Blair on trial first.
He also stated: Evidence has been obtained through certain channels showing that such activities have been going on extensively since a long time ago and that they were far more horrendous than what has been revealed so far. However, apparently, American officials, particularly the defence secretary, have expressed their remorse about the incident. Nevertheless, such tortures are still taking place.
At the end of his remarks, Guards commander Jazayeri stated that he would present the evidence on this matter soon and that the evidence he will present will be far more shocking than what has been presented so far. In that case, he stated, George [W.] Bush will not be able to exculpate himself and his colleagues by implicating a few American soldiers.
Source: ISNA web site, Tehran, in Persian 1304 gmt 9 May 04
America committing "horrendous" crimes against Iraqis, Iranian general says
Excerpt from report by Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) web site
The commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps [IRGC] said: America has targeted the heart of the world of Islam and intends to devour the wealth of the region and in so doing will resort to anything, and unity among Muslims is the only way out.
Attending the opening ceremony of the Imam Hasan mosque at the Martyr Borujerdi housing complex for the Guards' personnel, Maj-Gen Yahya Rahim-Safavi added: Enemies of Islam want to bring under their control an area stretching from North Africa to Southeast Asia, including the cities of Mecca and Medina.
He said: Enemies [of Islam] have covetous designs on underground resources of the Islamic countries and the wealth of the region, and are committing the most horrendous crimes against the defenceless Muslim people of Iraq.
Talking about the situations in the region, the general stressed: The wrath and hatred of Muslims in the region, especially those of Iraqis, can at any time end America's presence.
Referring to the latest statements of the exalted leader [Ayatollah Khamene'i], Maj-Gen Rahim-Safavi said: The only way for the Muslims to withstand the American and Israeli aggression is through solidarity. It is the only way to defend the honour and independence of the Islamic nations.
The general stated: I bring you good news that the young people of Palestine and Iraq, like our own young basijis during the eight-year holy defence [Iran-Iraq war], are fighting the aggressors and their scarifies and martyrdom-seeking attitude have stopped the occupiers from attacks on the holy cities of Al-Najaf and Karbala.
The commander of the IRGC added: The young people of Palestine and Iraq have acquired their spirit of fight against sacrilege and impiety from the heroic and steadfast people of Iran who, under the leadership of Imam Khomeyni and the exalted leader [Ayatollah Khamene'i] and with unity and cohesion, withstood America and the Zionists.
[Passage omitted: About Prophet Muhammad and housing projects for the Guards' personnel]
Source: ISNA web site, Tehran, in Persian 0616 gmt 8 May 04
German officials must apologize for selling WMD to Iraq, says Iranian NGO
Text of report in English by Iranian news agency IRNA
Tehran, 9 May: An Iranian non-governmental organization (NGO) defending the rights of those disabled by chemical or biological weapons called on German officials here Sunday [9 May] to make an official apology for selling weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and related technology to Iraq during the eight-year war against Iran (1980-1988).
The NGO, the Congress to Honour the Martyrs and the Disabled from Chemical Weapons, set forth their proposal in a letter sent today (Sunday) to the German Ambassador to Tehran Baron Paul von Maltzahn.
Referring to the fact that Berlin was a main supplier of weapons of mass destruction to the ousted Iraqi regime of Saddam Husayn during the imposed war against the Islamic Republic, the letter, a copy of which was also sent to IRNA, said that today there are more than 100,000 disabled victims of chemical warfare in Iran.
It is unfortunate that "so-called civilized countries who knew the suppliers of chemical and biological weapons did nothing to prevent these weapons from being supplied to the then Ba'thist regime of Iraq," noted the letter.
Providing evidence to confirm its claim, it referred to a report of the United Nations in 1984 and that of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1999 in which the two international bodies confirmed Baghdad's use of chemical weapons against Iranian forces during the eight-year war.
"Documents evidencing such unprecedented crime are available now and if the supreme leader and other officials find it necessary, these documents can be presented to international courts of justice, the international community or media for them to assess," stressed the letter.
The letter also criticized a decision of the Hamburg municipality upholding the erection of an anti-Iranian symbol in the city, saying it was a "blind" move against a nation which itself has repeatedly been a victim of criminality.
The letter did not mention further details about the afore-said symbol.
Source: IRNA news agency, Tehran, in English 1041 gmt 9 May 04
Over 3.3m Afghan refugees have returned home
Text of report in English by UNAMA spokesman in Kabul on 9 May
Since the resumption of organized returns in March this year, in only eight weeks, about 130,000 Afghans returned with or without UNHCR assistance, mainly from Pakistan and Iran.
This trend has continued bringing the total figure of Afghans returned to their places of origin since 2002 to over 3.3m as of last week.
The repatriation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan approached the 2m mark last week, while the returns from Iran surpassed 700,000 for the period from April 2002, when the facilitated repatriation operation began.
Of the 2 million returns from Pakistan, UNHCR assisted over 1.9m persons while from Iran the UN agency assisted more than 415,000 individuals. UNHCR together with IOM [International Organization for Migration] and other agencies also helped over 440,000 displaced Afghans go back to their homes.
Many Afghans living in neighbouring or other countries also started coming back: more than 10,000 came back from Tajikistan, India, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan alone.
Trying to assist Afghan refugees make an informed decision about their return, UNHCR will continue to organize facilitated group returns from Pakistan in coordination with the Afghan Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation, removing obstacles for Afghan groups wishing to go back to their home area.
In order to help Afghans living in Iran and wishing to return resolve some outstanding legal disputes, UNHCR and BAFIA [Iranian Interior Ministry's Bureau for the Alien and Foreign Immigrants Affairs] started seven Dispute Settlement Committees throughout the country last week.
In an effort to provide thousands of internally displaced persons and refugees with the first hand information on conditions in their places and following the series of successful go-and-see visits to Northern provinces, (Fariab and Jowzjan) UNHCR is organizing the next one to the Sar-e Pol [Province] soon.
Like in previous cases, representatives of [Internally Displaced People] IDPs and refugees will be able to get a realistic impression about the life in their home region, but at the same time get an opportunity to convey the concerns of their local residents who fled almost three years ago to the regional leaders and local commanders.
Funding update (as of 7 May 2004) The UNHCR regional budget for repatriation of Afghans from Iran and Pakistan is 122.5m dollars for 2004. So far UNHCR has received close to 50m dollars, which is over 41 per cent of the needs with the shortfall of about 59 per cent. UNHCR almost entirely depends on the voluntary contributions of governments and organizations.
Last year 15 donor countries contributed more than 1m dollars each. (Australia, Canada, Denmark, European Commission, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States).
Source: Press release by UNAMA spokesman, Kabul in English 9 May 04
Transport minister insists new Tehran airport must become operational
Text of report in English by Iranian news agency IRNA
Tehran, 9 May: Minister of Roads and Transportation Ahmad Khorram, alluding to obstacles that have prevented the start of operations of the Imam Khomeyni International Airport (IKIA), said here Saturday [8 May] that the airport will nonetheless go into operation "under all circumstances" as earlier announced.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of Saturday's inaugural ceremony for the airport, he said that although the airport is for commercial purposes, the primary responsibility for providing security would still be on the police and the military and their personnel will do the task.
Referring to the controversial accord signed between his ministry and a Turkish company that was to operate the airport, Khorram said the same will be annulled through legal channels.
Iran Air had commissioned the operation of the airport to a Turkish-Austrian consortium, a move the armed forces questioned, saying the country's "security" and "dignity" cannot be jeopardized by such agreements.
Khorram said 31 companies had announced their interest in the airport project and eventually a Turkish company was chosen by his ministry in accordance with pertinent laws and regulations, adding that no person or organization objected to the choice of the ministry until last month.
Since last month certain organizations have begun to raise objections to the choice of the Turkish company as the airport's operator and they have announced an investigation would look into the matter to clear things up.
Although the legal documents on the case have been sent to the proper authorities, they have still to be reviewed and if found to meet legal requirements, the accord will be finalized, Khorram said.
In case the agreement with the Turkish company is nullified, damages will be paid to the company, the minister stressed.
The IKIA began operations Saturday with an inaugural ceremony followed by the landing of one foreign aircraft, but was later told to suspend operations by the armed forces for "security" reasons.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the armed forces said that it had issued landing rights for an Air Emirates aircraft to land from Dubai but decided to close the airport to more foreign flights.
"The airport will remain closed until security conditions are fulfilled," it said, adding that "foreign flights will avail of the facilities of Mehrabad International Airport as before."
"Regretfully, officials of the airport have taken this inappropriate decision without heeding security requirements as well as the requirements of the Supreme National Security Council," the statement stated.
"Security is a vital and non-negotiable requirement especially when it is crucial to the country's dignity and security," the statement added.
Cabinet ministers, in a meeting scheduled for Sunday, are to decide on the issues that have prevented Imam Khomeyni International Airport from operating.
IKIA was first inaugurated in February but failed to start operations due to certain difficulties.
IKIA's Terminal 1, located in the middle of an uninhabited land about 45 km (30 miles) south of the capital, was built at a cost of 350m dollars. It can receive 2.5 million international and four million domestic passengers a year.
Officials, at the time the airport was completed, said that it will eventually be able to handle 40 million passengers a year, making Tehran a regional transport hub.
President Mohammad Khatami inaugurated Terminal 1 on 1 February - the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Islamic Republic marked by the return of Ayotollah Ruhollah Khomeyni from exile.
It was to start handling international flights two months later, that is, by end of March.
Source: IRNA news agency, Tehran, in English 0720 gmt 9 May 04
Iranian official says trade suffering because of insecurity in Iraq
Text of report in English by Iranian news agency IRNA
Khuzestan Province, 9 May: A member of the board of directors of the Iran-Iraq Chamber of Commerce, Gholamreza Akbarizadeh, said here Sunday [9 May] that continuing insecurity in Iraq's cities is having a negative impact on Iran-Iraq trade.
He told IRNA that the lack of security in Iraq has raised the economic risk which, in turn, is dampening the prospect of Iran-Iraq economic ties.
"A great number of Iraqi traders residing in Iraq's restive cities, particularly those in southern Iraq, are confused and can hardly make any plans for the future."
But "our Iraqi partners have promised to do their best in order to cooperate with Iranian businessmen," he added.
The official noted that Iranian goods are currently being exported to Iraq through the international Shalamcheh border in the city of Khorramshahr.
Some 75m-dollars worth of goods including foodstuff, building materials, ironware, etc, were exported to Iraq through the said border in the past Iranian year (ended 19 March).
Insecurity in Iraq's holy cities has also moved Iranian authorities to ban Iranians from going to Iraq on pilgrimages through the Shalamcheh border since early spring.
Nevertheless, Iranian businessmen are free to travel to the neighbouring country at their own risk and without any limit by obtaining the required exit permit from the Khorramshahr Governorate.
Source: IRNA news agency, Tehran, in English 0939 gmt 9 May 04
Iranian envoy, Saudi justice minister discuss implementation of agreements
Excerpt from report in English by Iranian news agency IRNA
Riyadh, 8 May: Iran and Saudi Arabia pledged to go ahead with the efforts to implement the already inked agreements between the sides in the judicial and legal arenas.
In a meeting Saturday [8 May], the Iranian envoy to Riyadh Ali Asghar Khaji and the Saudi Minister of Justice Abdallah Bin-Muhammad Bin-Ibrahim al-Shaykh reviewed new avenues for the legal mutual assistance and judicial cooperation.
The two sides exchanged views on the issues concerning the Muslim ummah [nation] and the necessity for efforts to bring together different faiths.
A future visit to Tehran by the Saudi justice minister was raised in the meeting too.
The two sides discussed issues of mutual interest, underscoring the need to strengthen bilateral ties in view of developments in the sensitive region of the Middle East.
The Iranian envoy said Iran and Saudi Arabia, as two leading countries and symbols of Islam in the region, had the obligation to present true Islam against those who would dishonour it to achieve their objectives.
Al-Shaykh noted that Iran and Saudi Arabia share many Islamic goals and are both being targeted by the enemies of Islam.
He welcomed the idea of promoting dialogue between the two countries on the major international and regional issues and called for planning for further consultations. [Passage omitted]
Source: IRNA news agency, Tehran, in English 1942 gmt 8 May 04
Fourteen killed in car accident in central Iran
Text of report in English by Iranian news agency IRNA
8 May: Fourteen people were killed and 19 others injured late Friday [8 May] following a head-on collision between a bus and a truck on a road in this central Iranian city.
The accident occurred on the road between Kuhpayeh and Esfahan after the driver of the truck veered to the wrong lane.
The injured were rushed to hospital. According to state officials, one Iranian dies every 24 minutes as a result of car accidents.
Minister of Roads and Transportation Ahmad Khorram has said that the number of road accidents in Iran is 21 times higher than that in developed countries. Experts relate the high toll to dilapidated vehicles, reckless driving, insufficient emergency assistance, lack of communication facilities and inadequate emergency centres on the roads.
Source: IRNA news agency, Tehran, in English 1411 gmt 8 May 04
Iran daily commentary says oil privatization "unacceptable"
Text of editorial by Iranian daily newspaper Resalat web site on 28 April
The deputies approved the payment of economic [property] rent by Oil Company [NIOC] to the government as part of the debate and enactment of the bill on the Fourth Development Plan. Thus, throughout the Fourth Plan, the NIOC will pay 50 per cent of the revenue gained from the sale of crude oil. As for natural gas, it will pay 85 rials for every cubic meter of gas extracted to the government as rent for property or resource.
According to economic experts, the new formula will lead to relative independence of the NIOC and will make supervising the company and monitoring its activities more difficult. On the other hand, by forging conditions similar to those "prior to the nationalization of the oil industry," it will open the door to the entry of foreign companies in the industrial complex of oil in the country, which is without doubt contrary to the Constitution.
Informed sources and top officials in the NIOC used to give tips about the need to change the NIOC into a commercial firm in the Fourth Plan. Of course, this step was welcomed because it would lead to improved activity and better competitive conditions with foreign oil companies, promoting the optimization of technology and expertise in the NIOC. But to grant the company outright independence such a manner that 50 per cent of the oil revenues earned through the export of crude oil from the country would be exempt of vetting and supervision by the people's deputies in the Majlis is indeed going too far and is not be expedient.
In recent years, the Oil Ministry has been promoting the phenomenon of forming semiprivate firms at a fast pace. Through this mechanism, it has created scores of private and rent companies in the fields of oil, gas, petrochemicals, and ... [ellipsis as published] that operate in the manner of "ostrich firms" [Persian: shotor-morgh], enjoying double- standards. While they enjoy public resources and receive government facilities, they are not accountable to the government. And now with the recent Majlis enactment, the opportunity has been provided to make concessions on the oil wells and refineries that are set up and run by the private sector. This way, even the extraction and production of oil will leave the control of the government, and the nation's God given resources will be put at the disposal of certain small groups and bands. This is blatantly and flagrantly in contradiction of Article 44 of the constitution. In addition, right now there is a big gap between the salary level and earnings of employees in the oil industry compared with employees and workers in other sectors. This gap will grow and intensify after the independence of the NIOC, on the excuse that the oil industry needs to train a specialized and skilled labour force.
Oil is among the resources and natural wealth that, according to Islamic tenets, have to be placed under the control of an Islamic ruler. Given the present situation, this privilege has been conceded to the Islamic state. But now the state too wants to pass it to private individuals. This is totally unacceptable, because it will pave the way for windfall riches to pour on certain persons and quarters and will rob this God-given wealth from the hand of its true owners, the people. We hope and expect the esteemed Guardian Council to act meticulously and with the utmost care and dedication in exercising its duty to safeguarding the Constitution and the tenets of Islamic law.
Source: Resalat web site, Tehran, in Persian 28 Apr 04
Armed forces close down Iran's new airport on "security" grounds
Text of report in English by Iranian news agency IRNA
May 8, Iran's armed forces closed down Imam Khomeyni International Airport (IKIA), citing security concerns, just after it was officially inaugurated with the landing of a foreign aircraft on Saturday [8 May].
In a statement, a copy of which was faxed to IRNA, the armed forces stated that it had permitted the only flight from Dubai to land at the airport, but closed it to more foreign aircraft.
Source: IRNA news agency, Tehran, in English 1415 gmt 8 May 04
Iran: Reformist daily criticizes Sadr and his media supporters
Text of commentary by Mohammad Hoseyn Ravanbakhsh in Iranian newspaper Aftab-e Yazd web site on 28 April
And it went so empty.... [allusion to poem by Sohrab Sepehri: "... and I saw a train, carrying politics; and it went so empty...]
At the time of infidel brother Saddam Husayn, there was no news of the respectable brother Muqtada al-Sadr. But exactly from the day brother Saddam disappeared, and all the slogans of brother Dr Mohammad Sa'id Al-Sahhaf proved futile, and Vietnam too left Iraq, suddenly brother Al-Sadr popped out like a star in the dark sky and illuminated everywhere, and many hearts were turned towards him.
And it was not an ordinary turn of the heart and simple attachment, but rather it was so thick and such strong attachment that suddenly the "people of Iraq" turned into "the ever-present people in the scene;" and then it turned out that the ever-present people were only and exclusively followers of the dear brother Muqtada al-Sadr.
Do you want proof? We have proof, and very fresh proof too, emerging from yesterday's ... [ellipses as published] daily. Let us read the front-page headline of that paper once more: "The battle of Iraqi people against the occupiers behind the gates of Kufah."
Now, if you ask how do we know these people are not all the Iraqi people (supposing that you read only respectable media and believe what they say!) your answer is once more given in the same front page of that distinguished newspaper, which goes on to explain: "The followers of Muqtada al-Sadr vehemently resisted the occupiers at the southern entry into the city of Kufah."
Of course, you shouldn't be surprised, because as you know we have plenty of experience in this area, and know how to easily fake and present a minority in the place of all the people. But if you go on to ask how come the grand sources of emulation of Iraq are completely forgotten in this story, and the mere followers of brother Muqtada al-Sadr are portrayed as the entire population of Iraq, you are asking difficult questions and might only tarnish you own reputation! Because, it was clear even in advance that they have not given their heart to anyone, and they can be used only sporadically and every now and then. The reason being that our brothers in principled media have never dared use the title of "grand ayatollah" for the irrefutable and certain sources of emulation] of Shi'is in Iraq, and have sufficed with the caption "Ayatollah Sistani," so that they could at the same time take their advantage of the melee and also...?! (Well, let it go; and incidentally, in the midst of it all, the supreme Iraqi parliament was also entirely forgotten.) Instead there has been brother Muqtada al-Sadr, who has had plenty of experience (What is it? Is it not possible for a 30-year-old to be well experienced? Why not?! Take me for instance; I am just 29 and next year I could well be another Muqtada al-Sadr!) and who shined like a star and made everyone remember those who used to shine once and today have lost their brilliance. Those dear brothers who until a few years ago, despite their young age, could disrupt any gathering...it is truly nice to remember them!
One last word, namely, in whose interest are the initiatives of the ever-present people of Iraq and their star brother Muqtada al-Sadr, and what will be the final outcome of it all? ...Of course we shall find this out pretty soon, but I only pray that it should not turn out to be what many people fear and have warned against.
Conclusion: For combating the occupiers, the mere contention of bravado and being present in the scene is not enough; rather, reason and wisdom are also needed.
Source: Aftab-e Yazd web site, Tehran, in Persian 28 Apr 04
Iran Majlis Speaker says law must protect journalists
Text of report in English by Iranian news agency IRNA
8 May: Majlis Speaker Mehdi Karrubi here Saturday [8 May] referred to reporters' grave responsibility to reflect the truth and reiterated the need to protect their legal boundaries and status.
Speaking to reporters, he appreciated their efforts during the sixth term of Majlis and added that the parliament has always been the hub of news and praised the journalists performance.
He expressed his positive approach towards journalists despite the great variety in their tendencies. Karrubi said that various tendencies should naturally exist in every community, given that otherwise one would hardly expect a dynamic and rational approach.
"Just as there are differences of views among scholars and scientists, discrepancies among men of pen and press dealing with intellect are evident," he added.
Stressing the need to protect the legal boundaries and status of all individuals, in particular the intellectuals and men of culture, he assimilated reporters to judges, given that their ruling either support or denounce the subject in question.
The Speaker called on journalists to have a clear political approach and to have in view that their reports are written for the people.
"The very same material written by the journalists determines the public tendencies, which might be either positive or negative," he added.
Underlining the necessity to pay attention to the people's boundaries and status while making criticism and avoid accusing or defaming others, he acknowledged that anyone committed to a cause should accept the criticism raised against him/her, irrespective of his/her position," he noted.
Karrubi said that no-one is flawless and one should not deny what is against his/her individual taste, given that it is possible to make up the mistakes but the consequences of a partial approach could hardly be repaired.
"The individuals are distinct from one another and have different tendencies, while animosity and malice leave their impact on their lives. However, to have a dynamic community, the individuals should be flexible," he added.
In response to a reporter about his sweetest and most bitter memory during the sixth Majlis, he replied: "Given the ups and downs of a four-year term, it should be examined as a whole. However, I would have rejected to refer to the most bitter experience, if I had examined the issue more closely."
Meanwhile, two reporters representing others lauded Karrubi's friendly, sincere and straightforward approach during his four-year term.
Source: IRNA news agency, Tehran, in English 1352 gmt 8 May 04
Taleban kill US marine in Afghanistan - Iranian radio
Text of report by Iranian radio from Mashhad on 8 May
Two American marines killed or injured in southern Afghanistan: A US military spokesman has said in Afghanistan that the Taleban attacked foreign forces in Tarin Kot District of Urozgan Province and killed one American marine and injured another. He gave no further details.
Source: Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mashhad, in Dari 1330 gmt 8 May 04
Iran radio urges trial of US officers involved in "torture" of Iraqi prisoners
Text of commentary by Iranian radio on 8 May
Despite the US defence secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, attending a session of the country's Congress and accepting responsibility for the torture of Iraqi prisoners by the American forces and apologizing to the people of Iraq and announcing that the tortured prisoners will be compensated, Rumsfeld and his colleagues at the [US] Defence Department endeavoured to limit the dimensions of such crimes and limit the sphere of responsibility to a few military and non-military personnel and pretend that the case has come to an end.
Meanwhile, on the basis of specific admission by the people who are charged in connection with the case, the order to torture [Iraqi] prisoners came from senior officials of the American espionage organization, the CIA, military police and private military companies, and Rumsfeld, the defence secretary, George Bush, the C-in-C of the armed forces, together with the country's army commanders are all directly responsible for the recent scandal and must be made accountable either in America or by international bodies for the occupiers' criminal actions.
Most definitely, the mere expression of revolt by Bush and expression of regret by the American defence secretary concerning torture in Iraq will not solve any problem. America's problem in Iraq is not limited to the torture of prisoners. The daily murder of the people who are calling for the departure of the occupying forces from their country, not leaving Iraqi sovereignty to the elected representatives of the people, the country's [America's] endeavours to set up a base in Iraq in order to interfere in the domestic affairs of the countries in the Middle East and support for the criminal policies of the Zionist regime are among the factors which have seriously damaged America's credibility in Iraq and the region.
The revulsion which exists in the Middle East against the rulers of the White House, displayed today in the form of a national resistance against the occupiers, is deep. This revulsion is so deep which cannot be defused only by naming six minor officers as perpetrators of Iraqi prisoners' torture.
It seems that without a fundamental review of the American foreign policy in the Middle East the possibility of changing the region's impression of the American government - and America insisting to continue its old policies in Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries - will bear no fruit but increasing material and non-material costs for the country [America].
In any case, the admission of the American officials that the American military is responsible for the recent torture scandal concerning Iraqi nationals raises the necessity of serious investigation of the case by a legitimate court.
The heavy blow which this scandal has dealt to the dignity of the American ruling clique is the least which the American government will have to pay for its crimes in Iraq.
Source: Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Tehran, in Persian 1002 gmt 8 May 04
Iran: Workshop begins on environmental application of space technologies
Text of report by Iranian TV on 8 May
An international workshop on the environmental application of space technologies started work today. Our country's Minister of Communications and Information Technology [Ahmad Mo'tamedi] was present at the meeting. Ms Zerafat, the correspondent of the Central News Unit reports from the workshop.
[correspondent] At the workshop, which is being attended by 19 officials from various foreign research centres, Mr Mo'tamedi said the construction of Zohreh and Mesbah satellites is among the most important programmes of the country's Aerospace Organization in obtaining useful information from space.
[minister] The Mesbah satellite programme is a research programme which is being carried out mainly inside the country. We also enjoy international cooperation but the programme is being implemented mainly by Iranian experts. The programme has advanced well. I think it has progressed over 50 per cent. The delay with Zohreh satellite is because of international problems which we have in sending it. Negotiations are being conducted about this. We hope that the problems will be resolved and announced soon.
[correspondent] Engineer Shafi, the head of the aerospace organization, has said that the collection and the processing of data provided by satellites about the environment and damage caused by natural disasters is the most important factor for safeguarding and reducing the damage.
[Shafi] The damage caused to the environment in the past 30 years is equal to what it had suffered previously in the history. The environment is shrinking all the time. When we gather more information about the environment we are able to take greater preventive measures.
Source: Vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran Network 1, Tehran, in Persian 0930 gmt 8 May 04
Iran reformist daily says censorship, refusal to consult, can harm country
An editorial in the reformist daily, Aftab-e Yazd, has argued that depriving people of information and not consulting with elites in society have become "a fairly extensive norm" in Iran. It argues that certain decision-makers and managers' confidence in the information relating to their area of authority dissuades them from sharing it with the public. The following is the text of the unattributed editorial in Aftab-e Yazd web site on 8 May
We Iranians take pride above all for considering ourselves followers of the Imam Ali [the prophet Muhammad's son-in-law and successor]. Not only did he counsel those under his command to be with the people and hear what they had to say, but admitted also that the ruler is simply a human being who cannot access anything the people hide from him. When the leader of the Shi'is said this, few people could have appreciated the depth of his remark. But today, when rulers have to govern the most complex societies, if people do not wish to convey to rulers what they know, or if they deprive rulers of necessary information available to all, one can see the fate the limited information of state officials and technocrats can inflict on societies.
Of course today, the provision of information and need for consultation is a two-way process. Which means that the politicians who believe they need the advice of elites must provide society with the necessary news and information. But it seems as if the excessive confidence certain decision-makers and managers have in the information relating to their area of authority dissuades them from sharing their information with the public, or if they do, they release strictly controlled doses of information in the situations of great urgency. And the advice elites can give in those situations is both limited, and generally useless.
Of course in any society there are situations that make inevitable restrictions on the exchange of information, especially in issues relating to national security. But if this exception becomes a rule, many issues are hidden from the people and decision-making becomes the preserve of those who probably had a role in bringing about the situation of urgency!
The words of the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, who spoke at the outset of the revolution on the freedom of activity of political parties, even Marxists, and the stipulations of the constitution, showed that in the Islamic Republic, the people would know everything and public awareness of internal and foreign developments would create conditions where the efforts of all would clarify matters for statesmen, and hopefully the best decisions be taken through the prevention of potential mistakes and misunderstandings.
But the coincidence of the imposed war and terrorist actions upset this intended "rule" and perhaps there was no choice but to restrict for some time the country's media environment, but also the activities of political parties and activists. This was a reasonable "exception" and few people opposed it. The people were not worried, because the majority of decisions were taken by individuals freely chosen by the people itself. But after a while it became clear that even the best, elected representatives need popular information to take correct decisions, and if the elites, political experts and critics cannot, or will not, convey to politicians what they know, decisions taken will be of doubtful quality, if not outright harmful.
On the other hand, while criticism is a blessing, some of those in power considered it anything but that, and were so delighted with being rid of it that the slightest criticism would then upset them. This became the norm in many areas in the country. The people felt and suffered economic problems but at the most sacred venue, economic critics were labelled "cowards". While judicial problems exasperated some, the response to the criticisms of those who considered the country's overall judicial policies badly conceived and harmful seemed to suggest that France itself would see be rushing to emulate Iran's new judicial system!
This atmosphere led to the ratification of laws in previous parliaments that have now provoked the simultaneous howls and complaints of people, judicial and executive officials.
This type of reaction was not the preserve of officials. Political parties too included members that denounced their opponents as the enemies of religion or the revolution, or corrupt, or who would paint all rivals as dictators who could do nothing but show their hostility to the people. That meant that even extensive changes in administrations did not bring about any significant upheaval in realms of information exchange or proper public participation.
If today, the body charged with press and media affairs in the government of reforms denounces one newspaper's call-in column as nothing but an attempt to "blacken" the picture, and the diplomatic apparatus prefers "denial" to all other methods of information dissemination, if the people hear half the news from the national medium [state broadcasting body], which constantly broadcasts news of reactions to the hostility of international bodies, without people knowing what, for example, a report by [UN] human rights commission actually stated, if much of the news is heard through foreign media first, broadcast with their particular goals, before appearing in the domestic media etc. then this is all due to the distaste of many state officials and politicians for the dissemination of news and their preference for public ignorance to ensure they are free from criticism.
This situation has particularly increased concerns in the field of foreign policy. There may be many people working in the foreign policy field who have no objections to the dissemination of news on their decisions and activities. But personal preferences are of no importance. The important point is that the system's "output" is less than satisfactory. The foreign minister and other diplomats have undertaken numerous trips to various countries in recent months. The people have repeatedly heard these officials insist on the independence of Iran's decisions, and reject all preconditions and interference in Iran's internal affairs. Likewise, reports of comments by the foreign parties consist mainly of remarks on Iran's positive role, praise for Iran, or rejection of interference in Iran's domestic affairs.
But foreign media reports indicate that if criticisms of Iran do not exceed praise for Iran, they are certainly no less frequent. But there is less emphasis on that part of the news in Iran.
In the past two days, foreign media have carried reports of the return of two girls, Sara and Yasmin, to Belgium and how they were greeted by the Belgian foreign minister.
This writer does not know whether or not three days previously, the Belgian Foreign Minister Louis Michel greeted his Iranian counterpart. But anyone can see that the minister greeting the two girls, whose Iranian nationality was previously stressed, and when Iranian judiciary and political officials had termed unacceptable the decision by Interpol and Belgian courts to have them returned, does not constitute a positive message for Iran. So people would be rightly concerned by the suspicion that our country's interest may not be fully met in some of these secret negotiations, carried out without any public information on them.
Foreign ministry officials should not take offence. It is possible that the problem was resolved with certain diplomatic measures and the usual mediation. But when the domestic media do not fully inform the people of such developments, there is probably no opportunity of seeking the help of independent jurists or international relations experts to resolve the issue, and domestic media have given little coverage to the return of the two Iranian girls, with initial reports indicating their father's dissatisfaction. The simplest explanations then seem acceptable to people and can fuel concerns. The issue of Sara and Yasmin does not matter so much in the larger picture.
But at the same time, there are more important issues at stake between Iran and European countries. The publication of half-baked, and generally partial news of these negotiations, can provoke concern over whether or not the country is using its full expertise in these important negotiations with other countries. Or does the illusion of rivalry between Europe and America over certain issues still lead us to take the simplest route in negotiations, and officials to consider themselves without need of consultation or public support? If decisions were taken yesterday, which, it is admitted, are costly today, and if experts or members of the public harbour the same concerns about current negotiations, it is simply because depriving people of information and consultation is no longer an exception, but has become a fairly extensive norm in our country.
Source: Aftab-e Yazd web site, Tehran, in Persian 8 May 04
Iran calls for punishment of Pakistan attack perpetrators
Text of report by Iranian TV news channel on 8 May
Foreign Ministry Spokesman [Hamid Reza Asefi] has condemned yesterday's terrorist incidents in Pakistan. He called for the identification and punishment of the perpetrators of such incidents.
Saying that ethnic wars and religious differences are among the conspiracies of the enemies of Islam and serve their interests, Hamid Reza Asefi urged unity and vigilance among Islamic sects in order to neutralize such conspiracies.
Source: Islamic Republic of Iran News Network, Tehran, in Persian 0900 gmt 8 May 04
Iran: Radio commentary says US wants to put pressure on nuclear agency
Text of report by Iranian TV on 8 May
If the position and the performance of America towards Islamic Iran is reviewed in the past two decades it is possible to see clearly that baseless accusations and threats are used to force Islamic Iran to accept the illegitimate and arrogant demands of America. This has been America's common and continuous policy towards the people and government of Iran.
However, the American approach has never forced Islamic Iran to abandon its lofty religious and national postures and objectives or to surrender to the bullying and expansionism of this arrogant power.
The reference to this point is important because America's House of Representative has passed a resolution [against Iran] at a time when the next IAEA Board of Governors is to meet soon, and indications are that the Agency is under great pressure.
It is obvious that positive agreement and understanding reached between Iran and the important countries of the European Union about their mutual responsibilities in the context of Tehran Communique is a source of concern for the American government and the House of Representatives.
The remarks made two days ago by [IAEA Chief Muhammad] al-Baradi'i that the world cannot wait for Iran to prove its innocence is questionable because several weeks ago IAEA's director-general expressed his satisfaction about the good progress in cooperation that is being made between Iran and the Agency.
As the Islamic Republic of Iran has reported repeatedly it is loyal to the content of the Tehran Communique, and it has taken important step towards transparency. At the same time it will never accept any pressure or political manoeuvring and it believes that it has a right to nuclear know-how.
Source: Vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran Network 1, Tehran, in Persian 0930 gmt 8 May 04
Afghanistan, UK work out plans to combat drugs
British Parliamentary Undersecretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Bill Rammell has held talks with the Afghan authorities on a plan to combat poppy cultivation and drug trafficking in Afghanistan, the head of the Afghan anti-drugs commission, Mirwais Yassini, said in an interview with Iranian radio. He described the talks as very successful. He said that Britain had provided aid for the Afghan government to fight drugs. The following is the text of a report by Iranian radio from Mashhad on 8 May with a subhead inserted editorially:
[British] Parliamentary Undersecretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Bill Rammell visited Afghanistan in the past week. He held talks with Afghan officials on issues relating to narcotics eradication. Poppy cultivation is growing inside Afghanistan.
It is noteworthy that following the fall of the Taleban regime, the UK, in line with a decision made at the Bonn conference [on Afghanistan], assumed responsibility for eradicating poppy cultivation inside Afghanistan and provided this country with over 70m pounds in aid in this respect.
But Britain's failure to root out poppy cultivation in Afghanistan prompted some internal and external critics to attack the British and the Afghan governments.
Some experts have described the visit of the parliamentary undersecretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to Afghanistan in the past week as a sort of fresh initiative of these two countries in their combat against narcotics.
Mirwais Yassini, the head of the Commission for Combating Drugs in the National Security Council of Afghanistan, detailed the fight against narcotics (some words indistinct) and Afghan and British responsibilities in an interview conducted by our colleague.
[Yassini] You are aware that this year poppy cultivation (some words indistinct). In cooperation with the international community, the government of Afghanistan has resumed the use of methods best applicable to the eradication of poppy cultivation.
In Helmand, Kandahar and Nangarhar [Provinces] the relevant activities have concluded. The predicted results (some words indistinct) and in the central provinces of the country the national army has been given the task of destroying poppy plants.
Mr Bill Rammell's visit to Afghanistan had been scheduled within this framework in order to hold talks with the Afghan authorities in various related fields and to discuss and work out a regular policy plan to combat poppy cultivation and drug trafficking and a continuous joint programme to destroy narcotics stockpiles.
[Interviewer] Can you please tell us what issues were discussed between Afghan officials and the British undersecretary and what results were achieved?
[Yassini] During a meeting with His Excellency Hamed Karzai, the Afghan president; Zalmay Rasul, special advisor of the president on national security affairs; and Mr Ali Ahmad Jalali, the interior minister; and with me as well as with other high-ranking officials, the discussions were mainly concentrated on working out programmes and arranging and speeding up counter-narcotics activities in order to maintain an effective combined strategy and policy.
Bilateral cooperation was discussed in this regard particularly, and the talks were very successful. We regard this visit as a success.
UK aid for Afghan government's fight against drugs
[Interviewer] Mr Yassini, the British government has taken responsibility for eradicating narcotic-bearing plants by providing the Afghan government with some assistance (some words indistinct).
[Yassini] You are aware that (some words indistinct) by the British government 500m dollars in aid which continues at the moment. An agreement was reached on how to use it in development projects of the government. In the past year about 72m pounds in aid was provided to the Afghan government, and this aid will be used in (some words indistinct) eradication of drugs and for carrying out these programmes. (Some sentences indistinct).
[Interviewer] (Some words indistinct) if its was disbursed for the right purpose.
[Yassini] We are working out a joint policy and this will be a combined Afghan, British, American, UN and coalition policy, which is expected to be more effective in preventing an increase in poppy cultivation and drug trafficking.
Source: Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mashhad, in Dari 0330 gmt 8 May 04
Iran Second round Majlis election results reported
Text of report in English by Iranian news agency IRNA
8 May: Candidates elected based on votes obtained in Friday's [7 May] parliamentary elections in various electoral constituencies throughout the country are as follows:
City Total Votes Cast Candidates Votes Obtained:
In constituency Mahallat, Delijan 21,651 Hasan Abbasi 11,856 -Langerud 30,893 Mohammad Ali Heydari 17,253, Qasr-e Shirin, Sar-e Pol-e Zahab, Gilan-e Gharb 70,556 Heshmatollah Jasemi 42,636, Ramyan, Azadshahr 49,517 Morad Ali Mansuri-Razi 30,615 -Marvdasht, Arsanjan 99,037 Ali Akbar Qobadi 54,371, Miandoab, Shahindej, Takab 71,179 Asadollah Tabe' 41,606, Shabestar: 34,753 Karim Qia'i-Moradi 20,768; Dasht-e Azadegan: 41,077, Nezam Molla-Hoveyzeh 21,188 Aliabad: 42,577 Asadollah Qarekhani 25,675 -Sanandaj, Divandarreh, Kamyaran 52,238; Amin Sha'bani 33,088, Rasht: 51,235 Hajjar Niksefat 20,565, Ramezan Ali Sadeqzadeh 19,523; Hamedan: 58,181 Ebrahim Karkhaneh 30,482; Dayyer, Kangan, Jaam: 54,607 Qeysar Salehi 28,751; Qa'emshahr, Savadkuh, Juybar 115,121 Vaali Ra'yat 45,289, Qorbanali Ne'matzadeh 42,000; Kordkuy, Torkaman, Bandar-e Gaz: 79,586 Nazmohammad Valipur 40,501; Kalat: 142,923 Ali Sarafraz-Yazdi 78,546, Effat Shari'ati 75,011; Ilam: Morteza Karami 58,004, Fereydun Hemmati 53,130, Ahvaz: 116,596 Hamid Zanganeh 61,057, Orumiyeh 98,490 Abed Fattahi 43,665, Mohammad Abbaspur 41,639, Gorgan, Aq-Qala 143,655 Mohammad Abbasi 51,832, Sobhan Hoseyni 44,969
Source: IRNA news agency, Tehran, in English 0959 gmt 8 May 04
Japanese premier's special envoy to visit Iran, Saudi Arabia
Text of report in English by Japanese news agency Kyodo
Tokyo, 7 May: Former Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura will visit Iran and Saudi Arabia next week as Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's special envoy to discuss Iraq's reconstruction with leaders of the two countries, Foreign Ministry officials said Friday [7 May].
Komura will leave Japan on Sunday and arrive Monday in Tehran, where he will meet with Iranian President Mohammad Khatami. He will travel to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to meet with Crown Prince Abdallah, the officials said.
Komura will exchange views on the roles of the United Nations and the international community in the reconstruction of Iraq ahead of the 30 June handover of sovereignty by the US-led occupation.
"I hope you will call for cooperation in establishing a new government by Iraqis," Koizumi was quoted as telling Komura in a meeting at the prime minister's office. Komura will return to Tokyo on 14 May.
Source: Kyodo News Service, Tokyo, in English 1235 gmt 7 May 04
Iran sees "better trust" with Europe over nuclear programme
Text of report in English by Iranian news agency IRNA
Tehran, 8 May: Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi says Iran's diplomatic efforts, including his latest trip to Germany, Belgium and Denmark, have built better trust between the country and Europe over Tehran's nuclear programme.
The minister, upon arriving back here Saturday morning [8 May], made an upbeat assessment of the outcome of his trip, which he described as 'positive'.
Kharrazi said, "Overall, it was needed that authorities of the European Union, including Germany, Belgium and Denmark, which follow up Iran's nuclear file, be briefed on the country's nuclear developments."
"There was a positive development in negotiations with officials of these countries concerning Iran's nuclear file and given the Islamic Republic's cooperation and the important steps which it has taken, better trust has been built," he said.
Kharrazi reiterated Tehran's 'full cooperation' with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), predicting that 'We will witness notable achievements in the future in this regard'.
The Iranian foreign minister stressed that all outstanding issues must be tackled between Tehran and the nuclear watchdog agency before a key session of the IAEA board of governors in June.
"(IAEA chief, Muhammad) al-Baradi'i has expressed satisfaction with the positive trend of cooperation concerning Iran's nuclear issues; naturally, this trend must continue so that all outstanding issues are settled and we reach a final solution in the next session," he said.
Al-Baradi'i was quoted as saying on Thursday that Tehran was moving 'in the right direction' towards full cooperation with the international nuclear watchdog.
"Overall I think we are moving in the right direction," AFP quoted him as telling a French parliamentary hearing during a visit to Paris.
Kharrazi said several other topics, including Tehran's ties with the European countries as well as issues relating to Iraq, the Middle East and Afghanistan, were also discussed in talks with the European officials.
The minister touched on recent revelations about the abuse of condemnation and outcry.
Kharrazi said, "All European officials expressed disgust at the blatant violation of human rights and disrespect of American soldiers for human dignity."
"What is happening in Iraq indicates a contradiction between the claims of Americans and their performance in Iraq, showing that they are pursuing other objectives in that country," he added.
Kharrazi arrived in Brussels Monday on a European tour to discuss a series of issues, including Tehran's peaceful nuclear programme as well as the situation in Iraq.
In Belgium, Kharrazi met European Commission chairman Romano Prodi, European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana and the EU foreign affairs commissioner, Chris Patten.
The Iranian foreign minister also met Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt and his Belgian counterpart Louis Michel to discuss the two countries' ties.
On Wednesday, Kharrazi arrived in Berlin in the second leg of the trip, where he met with Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and his German counterpart Joschka Fischer.
In Denmark, the Iranian foreign minister met with Prime Minister Andres Fogh Rasmusson and his Danish counterpart Per Stig Moeller.
Source: IRNA news agency, Tehran, in English 0934 gmt 8 May 04
Middle East, Iraq "instability" cause of hike in oil prices - Iranian minister
Text of report by Iranian radio on 8 May
Oil Minister [Bizhan Namdar-Zangeneh] has said that instability in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf area as well as technical refinery problems in America are among the factors which have contributed to oil price increases.
In an interview with a correspondent of the Central News Unit today, Bizhan Namdar-Zangeneh stressed that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries [OPEC] is supplying the market with sufficient oil, and said: There is no shortage in the allocated supply of oil. He added: The daily over-supply of oil is between 3-3.5 million barrels per day while the seasonal level of normal oil reserves are 2 million barrels [per day].
Source: Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Tehran, in Persian 0830 gmt 8 May 04
US officers inspect eastern Afghan border areas
Text of report by Iranian radio from Mashhad on 8 May
A special group of American military officers operating in Afghanistan have inspected various areas around Torkham [border checkpoint in eastern Nangarhar Province].
The Pakistani press has published no report about this inspection.
Source: Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mashhad, in Dari 0330 gmt 8 May 04
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