ANAHEIM--Hundreds of Iranian immigrants gathered Thursday outside the Anaheim Marriott hotel to protest an appearance by Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, the most senior figure of the Islamic regime permitted to visit California since the hostage crisis of 1980.

Hadi Nejad Hosseinian was invited to speak at a symposium of the World Affairs Council of Orange County. ... Hosseinian's mere presence in Orange County enraged scores of Iranian residents. Some were forcibly evicted from the symposium.

"The United States is the only country that stands for freedom and democracy. They cannot resume a dialogue with Iran. They cannot support a terrorist government," said Jeff Taj of Santa Monica, who left Iran in 1978.

Taj was among the protesters who waved flags, held banners and chanted...

The ambassador's speech was brief and his exit abrupt, which angered many people in the audience who wanted him to address more controversial issues.

"Let's talk about human rights!" shouted Sherry Lane, an opponent of Khatami's regime. Many people rose from their seats and began shouting, and several people were forcibly removed by security guards.

Outside, protesters vowed to stay through the evening until the conference's end.

"If the U.S. resumes relations, they will be dealing with murderers and maintaining terrorism," said Nader Omidvar.

Envoy Cancels Second Appearance, United Press International, April 2

ANAHEIM -- A top Iranian official canceled the second of two planned engagements in Ahaheim, Calif., (Thursday) after reportedly receiving threats and being met by a rowdy crowd. Organizers say Mohammad Haji Nejad-Hosseinian, Iran's permanent representative to the United Nations, changed his plans after protesters appeared at his first talk.

 
Regime’s Top Leader Slams U.S., Reuter, April 4

TEHRAN - Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei launched a strong attack on the United States on Saturday, throwing cold water on the slight warming of ties between the two countries.

"How can the Iranian nation and government reach out its hand towards an enemy who seeks to strike it with a heart full of bitterness," Khamenei said in a statement read by an announcer on state-run television.

"Despite denials by Iranian officials, the world arrogance (the United States) is pretending that the government of Iran is interested in having relations with the government of America," he said.

"How can Iran be deceived by the poisoned smile of an enemy who, even today, holds a poisoned dagger?" the statement said.

Khamenei's remarks, made on the occasion of the annual Moslem haj pilgrimage which reaches its climax on Monday, were read in full on the evening news broadcasts on both television and radio.

 
Iran Detains Mayor of Tehran, Associated Press, April 4

TEHRAN - Tehran's mayor, who played a major role in the election of President Mohammad Khatami, was arrested Saturday on suspicion of embezzlement.

The move is expected to increase the power struggle between Khatami's supporters and hard-liners.

Gholamhossein Karbaschi was arrested after he showed up for a court session in a corruption probe, the official Islamic Republic News Agency reported.

A statement from the attorney general's office said the mayor was being held as part of an investigation into the embezzlement and misappropriation of public funds by city council officials.

The statement, released by IRNA, said a preliminary investigation has concluded that the mayor had ordered some of the illegal activities.

More than a dozen senior municipal officials have been prosecuted for graft in the same case.

 
Resistance Condemns France's Elf Over Oil Deal, Agence France Presse, April 5

NICOSIA - Iran's main armed opposition movement condemned Sunday plans by France's Elf oil company for a 600 million dollar contract with Tehran to develop an offshore oilfield.

The National Council of Resistance (NCR) of Iran said it "strongly condemns such contracts and economic deals as they run counter to the highest interests of the Iranian people" and urged Elf to cancel the contract.

In a statement received here, the NCR called on "the government of France and other European countries to oppose such trade with clerical regime.

"Doubtless such deals will only embolden the murderous mullahs to continue their violations of human rights and export of terrorism," said the group.

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