TEHRAN - An Iranian newspaper Monday characterized U.S. plans for celebrating the millennium as "narcissistic" and suggested the world should work for an end to American imperialism.

The editorial in the English-language Iran Daily was a response to President Clinton's announcement last week of programs to "honor the past and imagine the future" with lectures, concerts and art shows….

The article called the Clinton administration's millennium program a "self-celebrating, narcissistic move" and said the turn of the century should "ring the end of U.S. imperialism, as this would really help restore peace and tranquillity in the world."…

Iran Defense Chief-Designate to Strengthen Forces, Reuter, August 17 

TEHRAN - Iran's defense minister designate said he would strengthen the armed forces if confirmed in the post, the official news agency IRNA reported on Sunday.

Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani, nominated by President Mohammad Khatami on Tuesday, told IRNA… he would try to introduce sophisticated technology in defense-related industries, renovate and modernize domestic arms manufacturing and emphasize defense exports.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who is also commander-in-chief, in 1989 appointed former Revolutionary Guard Minister Shamkhani as commander of the navy, giving him the rank of rear admiral….

Iran's Gulf neighbors are deeply suspicious of its arms program and accuse it of interfering in their internal affairs.

Iran Sought Pretoria Nuclear Deal, The London Times, August 16 

IRAN has tried to buy items needed for the production of nuclear weapons from South Africa.

A detailed shopping list, presented to the head of South Africa's Atomic Energy Corporation by Reza Amrollahi, Iran's Deputy Minister of Atomic Affairs, was rejected by stunned officials, according to a report to be published in a British defense magazine.

Dr. Waldo Stumpf, head of the corporation, said he was handed a file after a meeting that took place early last year in Pelindaba near Pretoria. "It contained a comprehensive list of items needed for manufacturing nuclear weapons," he said. "There were some very advanced things asked for; blueprints, industrial, chemical and laboratory equipment, and other essentials required for the production of weapons of mass destruction..."

R.F. "Pik" Botha, then the Minister of Energy Affairs, has confirmed he attended the meeting, which was apparently organized by President Mandela's office, the September issue of Jane's International Defense Review says….

It says Tehran has made "considerable progress" in its quest towards developing nuclear weapons….

Iran President Says He Would Bow to Parliament’s Decision, Associated Press, August 15 

TEHRAN - Iran's new president who is expected to run into opposition from hardliners on several of his Cabinet nominees, said he would respect the wishes of the conservative-dominated Parliament.

Mohammad Khatami said he would bow to the Majlis' decision if they reject some of his choices.

"If God forbid, such a thing happens, I am resigned and obedient to the law and the views of the Majlis and will try to propose others," he said late Wednesday.

While Khatami had been widely expected to be the first president since the revolution to appoint a woman minister, he told Tehran television late Wednesday he had no plans to do so.

Two Dissident Iranian Kurds Assassinated, Iran Zamin News Agency, August 15

According to a statement issued by the NCR, on August 14, the terrorists of the mullahs' regime murdered two members of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran, Qaleb Alizadeh and Anjad Mowlaii, in the center of the city of Sulaymania, Iraqi Kurdistan. An elderly resident of Sulaymania was also killed in this assault and four other residents were wounded.

"This terrorist action in the second week of Khatami's presidency shows that no meaningful reform of this medieval regime is possible and that Iran's ruling theocracy cannot survive even one day without repression and export of terrorism," the NCR said in the statement.

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