Back to Brief on Iran
In statement released today, the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran said: "Mr. Massoud Rajavi, President of the National Council of Resistance, congratulated the Iranian people on the occasion of Eid-al Fitr [marking the end of holy month of Ramadan]. Mr. Rajavi stressed that the anti-Islamic conduct of the clerical regime is contrary to the spirit and essence of the teachings of Islam. The Iranian Resistance and the National Liberation Army of Iran will overthrow this anti-Islamic and anti-Iranian regime, he vowed.
He added: Despite Khatami's hollow sloganeering about a "civil society," stoning, repression and terrorism… have escalated under his presidency. Since he took office, the state-run newspapers have reported at least seven cases of stoning.
Mr. Rajavi said: As we approach the
end of the twentieth century, we are faced with a regime which in order
to preserve its rule, utilizes the most advanced technical and professional
achievements, including long-range missiles, and nuclear, biological and
chemical weapons, and at the same time upholds and promotes penal laws
of the past millennia, including stoning, retribution, beheading, amputation
of limbs and flogging.
Iran Denies Reports on Policy Changes Towards U.S., Reuter, February 2
TEHRAN - Iran on Monday denied reports suggesting there were changes in its policy towards the United States and said it would not hold talks with Washington….
"The Foreign Ministry spokesman strongly denied a report by the American newspaper Los Angeles Times about President (Mohammad) Khatami sending a message to (U.S. President Bill) Clinton through (Palestinian President Yasser) Arafat," the radio said….
"The Americans, who have been questioned by America's public opinion and their allies over their illogical policies towards Iran, use every occasion to make it appear as if there has been a change in Iran's stand on relations with America," Mohammadi said.
"It is only in this context that one
can comment on this (newspaper) report and the news spread by the American
United Nations ambassador about the Iranian foreign minister reciprocating
his expression of respect during a session of the World Economic Forum
in Davos," Mohammadi said….
Support for Iran Sanctions Bill Still Runs Strong in Senate, Congressional Quarterly, January 24
When Congress was last in session, the Clinton administration persuaded Senate leaders to delay near-certain passage of tough economic sanctions aimed at halting Russian aid for Iranian development of long-range missiles….
The Senate returns the week of Jan. 26, and support for the legislation remains strong; its 84 cosponsors include Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., and Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D….
"An Iran with weapons of mass destruction is arguably the single biggest threat that faces the United States and its allies," Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., chairman of the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs, said Jan. 21. "Armed with weapons of mass destruction, Iran's rogue regime will be a menace to world security."…
New Cloud Hangs over Iran-Eu Relations as Tehran Seeks
New Basis for Ties, Agence France Presse, January 31
TEHRAN - A new cloud is hanging over Iran’s ties with the European Union…
Bonn revealed Friday that a Tehran court had condemned a German national to death for having sexual relations with a Moslem woman.
Helmut Hofer, 56, was convicted of "a forbidden relationship between a non-Moslem and a Moslem," the German foreign ministry said, adding that the court’s decision could "have a most serious adverse effect on ties between Germany and Iran."…
Fresh tension between Tehran and Bonn would inevitably have negative repercussions for Iran’s relations with the European Union as a whole as member states are required to show solidarity in such cases.
Iran Rights Record Still Bad Despite Khatami -U.S.
, Reuter, January 31
WASHINGTON - Iran's human rights record remained poor last year…, the U.S. State Department said Friday in an annual report.
Friday's report charged that the Iranian
government had committed "systematic abuses" of human rights last year
including extrajudicial killings, summary executions, disappearances and
widespread use of torture.