TEHRAN - Anti-American demonstrations on Tuesday to mark the anniversary of the seizure of the US embassy here 18 years ago turned into a fierce battle between the two main political factions in Iran.

As opposed to previous years, two separate demonstrations were held to celebrate the embassy takeover…

An official rally was organized in the morning by the conservative faction and addressed by the conservative speaker of parliament, Ali-Akbar Nateq-Nuri.

The radical left-wingers refused to join the official ceremony and held one of their own in the afternoon at a rally characterized by as much hostility against the United States as their conservative rivals.

Despite pretensions of unity and uniformity of slogans against the "Great Satan," the two factions have exposed deep resentment for each other and a bitter struggle for power.

A leader of Islamic radicals, former interior minister Ali-Akbar Mohtashemi, accused the conservatives in a speech at the afternoon rally of "turning their back to the wishes of the people" and of "causing difficulties" for the new government of President Mohammad Khatami…

"It is regrettable that the new government does not control the police and the judiciary to materialize its pledge of implementing law and order," he said to repeated cries of "Khatami, Khatami we support you."

While paying tribute to the radical students who stormed the embassy 18 years ago, Mohtashemi blasted the conservatives for "monopolizing" power….

"The United States, this ignorant bully, thinks it owns the world, that all countries should obey its dictates ... But we destroyed the myth of US invincibility," Nateq-Nuri said from atop a platform painted in large letters: "Down with USA."…

Iranian leaders and the media generally projected a more hostile mood this year amid growing efforts by the United States to isolate the Islamic republic….

Protest Against Pollution from Oil Wells, Agence France Presse, November 4 

TEHRAN - Residents of the southwestern Iranian city Ahwaz have protested over smoke pollution from the region's oil wells, an Iranian newspaper reported Tuesday.

The daily Jomhuri-Eslami, describing pollution in the city, called on the Oil Ministry and the Environmental Protection Ministry to take steps to solve the problem.

The sky around the city of Ahwaz, the capital of the oil-producing region of Khuzistan, has been covered for several days by "clouds of smoke from oil wells," according to the paper.

It said "officials of the Iranian National Oil Company had set fire to unusable flammable materials from oil wells in the region."

The newspaper added that recent rains had completely blackened trees, cars and clothing" in the streets of Ahwaz, "threatening the health of residents."

Chinese Missile Sales to Iran Denounced, Agence France Presse, November 6 

WASHINGTON - Chinese sales of missiles to Iran were denounced Thursday by the US House of Representatives, which called upon the White House to take action.

The sales of C-802 cruise missiles "pose a serious threat to regional stability" and endanger US troops stationed in the Persian Gulf, Republican Representative Ben Gilman said….

Senate Urges Sanctioning Russia, The Associated Press, November 5

WASHINGTON - A Senate committee is urging the Clinton administration to impose sanctions against Russian government agencies and companies found to have helped Iran develop ballistic missiles.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee also denounced Moscow for passing a law that restricts the activities of Western missionaries, Protestant denominations and Catholics….

In a separate resolution, the panel asserted that Russian companies had helped Iran with its missile-building program, giving Tehran the ability to attack Israel, Turkey and U.S. military installations in the Middle East.

This included the transfer of wind tunnel and rocket engine testing equipment, the resolution said….

"If the Russian response is inadequate, the United States should impose sanctions on the responsible Russian entities ... and reassess cooperative activities with Russia," said the measure….

Iran Expects Arabs to Back Sudan Over US Sanctions, Reuter, November 5

TEHRAN - Iran's state radio said on Wednesday that new U.S. sanctions imposed on Sudan would lead to wider Arab support for the Khartoum government….

The Clinton administration accuses Sudan of sponsoring terrorism… and has also criticized its human rights record….

Non-Arab Iran has close ties with Sudan's Islamist government...

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