Dissidents: Iran Ordered Khobar Blast, Agence France Presse, April 16

An Iranian dissident group called for international sanctions against Iran Wednesday, claiming the Tehran regime organized and planned the truck bombing in Saudi Arabia in June that killed 19 Americans.

Citing its network of sources inside Iran, the National Council of Resistance of Iran asserted the Kohbar Towers bombing in Dhahran was a joint operation of the Iranian Intelligence Minister and the Revolutionary Guards.

The group claimed the terrorists were trained at Imam Sadeq Base, near Qom, Iran and were flown from Tehran to Damascus in late March or early April, 1996.

"From there, they were dispatched to the Bekaa Valley. Subsequently, they went via Syria to Saudi Arabia, where they executed their plan," said Sarvi Chitsaz, the group's US representative….

She alleged that the terrorists were in contact with Revolutionary Guards Brigadier General Ahamad Sharifi, who was in charge of organizing Hezbollah fundamentalist groups in the Gulf against local governments….

Iran Opposition Group: Tehran Behind Khobar Towers Bombing, Dow Jones News, April 16

An Iranian opposition group that seeks to replace the current regime in Tehran said Wednesday it has evidence linking the government of Iran with the al-Khobar towers bombing last June, which killed 19 U.S. servicemen.

The National Council of Resistance of Iran, which describes itself as Iran's parliament in exile, told reporters that it has credible evidence linking Tehran to the bombing….

The group told reporters that the Dhahran bombing was a joint operation of the Iranian Intelligence Ministry and the Revolutionary Guards Corps….

"The policy of sanctions adopted by the U.S. has therefore been an appropriate approach. This policy, contrary to what some in Europe might assert, has been successful in qualitatively limiting the regime's capabilities," said Sarvi Chitsaz, a representative of the group.

"We believe that in light of this irrefutable evidence, the U.S. should refer the matter to the U.N. Security Council to implement global sanctions against the mullahs in Iran," Chitsaz said….

Germany To Pay "Heavy Price" over Row with Iran: Khamenei, Agence France Presse, April 16

Iran's paramount leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Wednesday that Germany would pay a "heavy price" over a Berlin court ruling implicating Tehran in terrorism.

"Germany is caught in a trap set by the Zionists, and it has paid and will pay a heavy price for it," Khamenei said in a meeting with a group of military officials…

Khamenei —the highest political, religious and military authority in Iran— also slammed the European Union for lining up to support Germany in the crisis….

Denmark Taking Bolder Stance, The Washington Post, April 16

…In recent years, Denmark has urged its European Union allies to take bolder stances against Iran and Baltic countries, in addition to China. It took over a rotating chair in January at the U.N. Human Rights Commission in Geneva….

Foreign Minister Niels Helveg Petersen has said that Denmark's foreign policy is designed by the government and not businessmen or economic interests…

Last year, Danes joined Washington's policy of isolating Iran. At the same time, Denmark opted out of the EU's policy of "critical dialogue,'' trading with Iran while criticizing its extreme policies.

Russia Gives Iran Bargain on Terror-Ready Missiles, The Washington Times, April 16

Russia is selling advanced air-defense systems to Iran, including the latest version of a hand-held anti-aircraft missile that Tehran intends to provide to Hezbollah terrorists, The Washington Times has learned.

…The missile sales talks took place in February and last month between Iranian intelligence agents and Russian arms brokers in Moscow, who offered S-300 series anti-aircraft missiles for sale at discount prices, Pentagon intelligence officials said.…

…The officials said a scientific and technical arm of the Iranian intelligence service that acquires foreign technology for Iran's weapons programs is involved in some of the weapons purchases. This indicates the weapons may be used by Tehran as models for local production….

Iran Says Moslems Hold New Political Rally at Haj, Reuter, April 16

A large crowd of Moslems held another rally against the United States and Israel at the haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, defying a Saudi ban, Iranian state media said.

Tehran radio said pilgrims chanted "Death to Israel" and "Death to America" near Mount Arafat, outside the city of Mecca….

Iran earlier said pilgrims had held their first "disavowal of infidels" rally on Monday in Mecca despite the Saudi ban against all political activities during haj.

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