Selected Headlines

30 Oct 2009 15:45No Comments

Mousavi slams govt policy in Geneva talks

Tabnak | Oct. 29, 2009

Opposition figure Mir Hossein Mousavi described the outcome of the Geneva nuclear talks as astonishing.

According to the Radio Farda report carried by Tabnak, in a meeting with Mehdi Karroubi, Mousavi said that if the Geneva deal is implemented, it will mean the efforts of countless Iranian scientists will go to waste; and if not implemented, it will prepare the social grounds for imposing more sanctions on the country.

"This is the result of adventurism and bypassing national principles and national interests in foreign policy," Mousavi added.

Mousavi described the policy as kowtowing to the United States.

Lebanon prays for resolution of Iran nuclear dispute

Tabnak | Oct. 30, 2009

The March 14 coalition of Lebanon said that unless Iran's differences with the West are resolved, no government can be formed in the country.

"Because Hezbollah is similar to the Iranian government in its thinking and until this movement has a critical role in forming a government in Lebanon, we must wait for Iran to resolve its nuclear issue with the West and the US. Because only after this will there be room for Hezbollah cooperation in forming a government and a Lebanese government can finally be formed."

Meanwhile, a Lebanese lawmaker said, "Iranians and Syrians play an undeniable role in Lebanon and if the interests of these two countries are jeopardized, Lebanon will pay. Therefore if we want to form a government we need to serve the interests of these two countries."

Leader reacts to student's criticism

Peiknet | Mowj | Oct. 29, 2009

The Peiknet news website claims that in a meeting with elite students on Wednesday, Iran's leader Seyyed Ali Khamenei left the session after being confronted by a student critic.

During the meeting a post-graduate [PhD] student raised his hand to request to speak. The student, who was denied permission, kept his hand raised until Ayatollah Khamenei said, "Let him speak."

The student then went behind the podium and said, "The group here is not representative of elite students, they are the representatives of the Elite Organizations. Seda Sima [State broadcaster], whose CEO you appoint, lies a lot and is very biased in its reporting. You have created an atmosphere in which no one dares to criticize you. Your cohorts have turned you into a sacred figure that is beyond critique. After the election, I personally participated in the protests to show my dissent and I was beaten up by plainclothes and Basij forces. I leave you with your conscience to reflect on this."

According to Peyknet, the student's speech drew a round of applause from those present.

Ayatollah Khamenei left the meeting without leading the noon prayers scheduled for that day.

The Supreme Leader and the Student

RFE/RL | Oct. 30, 2009

Several Iranian websites, including the official site of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, have published details of an unusual encounter between Khamenei and a student who publicly criticized the Iranian establishment.

The encounter took place in an October 28 meeting between Khamenei and students in Tehran, during which the supreme leader said that questioning the disputed June 12 vote was the "biggest crime."

According to the reports, a student from Sharif University, named by some websites as Mahmud Vahidnia, criticized the Iranian leader, state broadcast media, the post-election crackdown, and the closure of the reformist press -- for a whole 20 minutes.

The student reportedly told Khamenei that he had never seen criticism of Khamenei in the Iranian press. He said those surrounding Khamenei have turned him into "an idol."

He then went on to accuse state media of biased reporting and giving a false picture of post-election events. He added that since the supreme leader appoints the head of state broadcast media, he is responsible for its content and biased coverage.

On a roll, the unnamed student then criticized "the cycle of power" in Iran, including the conservative Guardians Council and the Assembly of Experts.

According to Khamenei's website, the Iranian leader reacted by saying that he welcomes criticism and knows that there is a lot of it.

And Khamenei too is not always happy with state television programming. "Don't assume that because I appoint the head of state television, they bring all their programs to me for approval," the Iranian leader said.

The Mowj website, which focuses on news from the green opposition movement, reported that some of the participants encouraged the student, but then the cameras were shut down for a few minutes.

In the Islamic Republic, criticizing the supreme leader is considered a red line that few people are willing to cross publicly. A number of those who have done so have ended up in prison.

Mowj reported that the student was pressured by security forces present at the meeting.

Ahmadinejad challenges sources on female governors

Asr Iran
Oct. 30, 2009

Despite the marjas' [Shia Sources of Emulation] fierce rejection of the notion of female governors, Mohammad Ahmadinejad has once again spoken in favor of such a move.

"What is wrong with having a woman become governor? We have 30 provinces and I see nothing wrong with having two or three of these provinces have female governors," ILNA quoted him as saying in a gathering of cultural figures and elites in Khorasan-Razavi.

"We are of the opinion that in fields exclusive to either gender, men cannot do a woman's job and vice versa. I personally witnessed in one country that an old lady was cleaning the streets in the early hours of the morning and they call this gender equality. In Iran, we believe that no matter what the situation is, men should not allow women to shoulder laborious tasks."

"But in common fields, there is no reason why we shouldn't for instance have a woman governor."

Aide: Ahmadinejad did not deny Holocaust

Tabnak | Oct. 30, 2009

Mehdi Mostafavi, an aide to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the Head of the Islamic Culture and Relations organization, said the President was not a Holocaust denier.

When asked by the Serbian Politika magazine reporter about Ahmadinejad's repeated denial of the Holocaust and controversial remarks he has made about Israel, Mostafavi said, "The issue here is not the denial or acceptance of a matter, rather it is the suffering that another nation has had to endure. The truth is Ahmadinejad does not seek to dismiss the essence of a situation called the Holocaust and does not deny it."

"He has only raised a question about it that goes back to Israeli and Western exploitations of the matter."

"We believe that exploiting the matter is as bad as the suffering of the Jewish people."

Asgaroladi: Extremists want Mousavi, Karroubi heads to roll

Tabnak | Oct. 29, 2009

Even as Habibollah Asgaroladi, Secretary General of the Followers of the Imam Front, discouraged extremism against Mir Hossein Mousavi, Prosecutor General Gholam Hossein Mohseni-Ejei talked of launching a case against the opposition figure.

Speaking to the members of his Front, Asgaroladi said, "Presently, extremists call for the trial and execution of Karroubi and Mousavi. This is extremism and shows that extremists only seek to stoke enmity."

"Some people go to extremes and in my opinion if we are to keep Mousavi and [Mehdi] Karroubi within the [confines of the] establishment, we should refrain from launching smear campaigns against them and tarnishing their reputations."

"If we want to steer people back to the right path, we cannot resort to harsh behavior."

Asgaroladi's remarks followed an earlier announcement from a pro-Ahmadinejad lawmaker, Hamid Rasaii, who claimed that 100 members of Majlis had lodged a complaint against Mousavi and Karroubi.

Prosecutor-General Mohseni-Ejei confirmed the report. "On Oct. 21, two lawmakers submitted a letter of complaint to me against Mousavi signed by 100 representatives. The prosecutor's office is currently reviewing the complaint."

"Other circles have also echoed the request and have asked us to follow up on the issue. I must add that the Prosecutor General's office will not be taking direct judicial action, but rather compiling a report and referring it to the proper authorities," Mohseni-Ejei added.

The Prosecutor-General added that lawmakers had based their complaint against Mousavi on 'disrupting social security and order and propagating against the establishment.'

Ex-Labor Minister (now bank CEO) criticized for using connections

Tabnak | Oct. 29, 2009

Hossein Sadeqi, deputy of provincial affairs for the Workers' Union, praised Labor Minister Abdolreza Sheikholeslami for dismissing his predecessor's aides, but said the move was not enough.

"The 9th government's labor minister, Mohammad Jahromi, must answer for the aides who got paid billion-rial salaries without ever actually doing anything," he said.

According to the ILNA report, Sadeqi pointed to the widely-held opinion that Jahromi had so many aides they couldn't all fit into a minibus.

He went on to criticize Jahromi's appointment as the new CEO of Saderat Bank. "This shows that in appointing managers, having connections is the most important thing. Because if an ordinary person makes a mistake, they will be held accountable; but when it comes to Jahromi, they simply overlook his mistakes."

Kashan schools shut down

Pedestrian | Oct. 29, 2009

Schools in the city of Kashan, a city in the province of Isfahan, have now been ordered closed until after the 13th of Aban (the Iranian anniversary of US hostage crisis). According to the governor's office, the order would be in effect from 7th of Aban (Oct. 29) through Nov. 4. All elementary and junior high schools will be closed, but high schools would remain open.

The reason given for the closure was to "prevent" the "possible spread" of swine flu.

Nabavi's wife criticizes Mousavi, Khatami inaction

Tabnak | Oct. 29, 2009

After Behzad Nabavi's health deteriorated, his wife criticized Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mohammad Khatami for making no effort to secure his release.

According to Arya news agency, Nabavi's spouse contacted Mohsen Mirdamadi's wife and told her in a telephone conversation that she intended to give interviews against Mousavi and Khatami.

"My husband is in the hospital in critical condition and these gentlemen do nothing for fear of getting their robes soiled," she reportedly said.

It was reported that Mirdamadi's wife conveyed the message to the reformist figures, prompting one of the two to lobby for Nabavi's speedy release.

Israel Backs Nuclear Deal With Iran

NYT | Oct. 30, 2009

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cautiously endorsed on Friday American-backed efforts to limit Iran's nuclear program through shipments abroad of its enriched uranium. He made his remarks as an intensive Middle East diplomatic effort got under way, with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton due here on Saturday.

"I think that the proposal that the president made in Geneva to have Iran withdraw its enriched uranium, or a good portion of it, outside Iran is a positive first step in that direction, and I support and appreciate the president's ongoing effort to unite the international community to address the challenge of Iran's attempts to become a nuclear military power," he said.

Justice Chief: Death sentence not subject to appeal

Asr Iran | Oct. 30, 2009

Head of the Tehran Justice Department said an MKO member and two belonging to the Royalist Society have been sentenced death.

"Comparing the sentences handed to these three with the other parties accused of post-vote crimes is injustice to those [defendants] who have a good relationship with the establishment and pursued a different objective," Seyyed Ali-Reza Avini told Fars News Agency.

"It is possible that some youth, due to their special perspectives and in line with their devotion to the establishment, participated in gatherings [riots]. These persons cannot be viewed as counterrevolutionaries and they cannot be placed next to counterrevolutionaries and the MKO as it would be an illogical move."

"The three mentioned above would have carried out acts of sabotage against the Islamic Republic, even if the post-election incidents had not taken place," he said.

According to the Fars report, Avini said the death sentences for the three detainees were final and could not be appealed.

Ayatollah Bayat-Zanjani hospitalized after heart attack

Asr Iran | Oct. 30, 2009

Ayatollah Assadollah Bayat-Zanjani, a Shia 'Source of Emulation,' has been hospitalized after suffering a heart attack.

The Grand Ayatollah was taken to the Valiasr Hospital of Qom on Friday morning and is currently being treated in the intensive care unit.

Ayatollah Bayat-Zanjani is one of the few Sources who has spoken out in support of the opposition.

MP: 'National Unity' psychological war, Iranians already united

Asr Iran | Oct. 30, 2009

Secretary-General of the Society of the Veterans of War dismissed the 'National Unity' plan proposed by Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani as psychological warfare.

"Giving weight to this plan will only help its architect advance their agenda," said Hossein Fadayi.

"What is the purpose of this national unity? And with whom and how must this unity be achieved?" he asked the proponents of the plan. "These are issues that need to be addressed and in my opinion they have been shrouded in ambiguity so far."

Fadayi said if by national unity they meant uniting the nation, "There has been no disunity among the people for us to want to unite them."

"With an 85 percent turnout in the election, Iranians showed that they have faith in the establishment, listen to the leadership and abide by the laws of the Islamic Republic. These are all points that our people have in common and they indicate their [the people's] solidarity."

The Tehran representative in Majlis went on to criticize political factions and movements who divide people into the two groups of 25 and 14 million voters.

"This is the wrong approach. They try to create a rift among our people. Our nation, by going to the polls, responded to our Leader's call and this is the main point our people have in common."

"If by proposing 'National Unity' they mean to unite Mr. [Mir Hossein] Mousavi, [Mehdi] Karroubi and Hashemi, there is no need for putting forth such a plan as these three gentlemen have no qualms with one another and endorse each other," Fadayi said.

"But if the purpose of 'National Unity' is to become united with the Leadership, the Leader has clearly stated his stance, therefore they would need to apologize to the people and show respect for the people's vote and the law and make up for their mistakes."

Editor released on bail

Tabnak | Oct. 30, 2009

Etemad-e Melli editor-in-chief Mohammad Qouchani was released from Evin Prison after posting a $100,000 dollar bail.

Qouchani, who was detained one week after the disputed tenth presidential election, and was presented as defendant in the "Velvet Coup" mass trials.

According to the ILNA report, however, his charges were never made public in court.

Qouchani is a well known journalist who has been editor-in-chief for important dailies such as Sharq, Hammihan, Etemad-e Melli and the weekly Shahrvand.

Fariba Pajooh goes on hunger strike

Blog Watch | Oct. 28, 2009

Detained Iranian journalist Fariba Pajooh went on a hunger strike 48 hours ago [four days ago as of 30 Oct., 2009].

According to incoming reports from Evin prison, Pajooh, who has been in detention in section 209 for the past two months, has announced that she will remain on strike until her fate is determined.

Pajooh, 29, reported for reformist newspapers.

She is reportedly suffering from extreme physical and psychological pressures.