Back to Brief on Iran
Following the brazen acknowledgement by the officials in Iran that it has carried out terrorist operations against the Iranian Resistance, and the regime's intransigent threats in the past few days to launch further terrorist and military attacks, the National Council of Resistance of Iran called on the European Union to condemn the mullahs' regime for its acts of terrorism and crimes against humanity.
The NCR also urged the European Union to slam diplomatic and trade sanctions on the mullahs' regime.
In a letter to Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, the current chair of the Council of Ministers, Mr. Mohammad Mohaddessin, Chairman of the NCR Foreign Affairs Committee, wrote: "The religious, terrorist dictatorship ruling Iran is taking advantage of some Western countries pursuit of a policy of appeasement toward Tehran. It has not only unequivocally taken responsibility for all its terrorist activities, but also demanded that the international community approve of these crimes."
"The aim of these remarks and propaganda that has
continued relentlessly for the past four days, is to prepare the grounds
for more terrorist and military attacks, air and missile raids against
the Iranian Resistance's bases and combatants," Mr. Mohaddessin told the
British Foreign Secretary.
Iran Mourns Death of Shiite Leader in Divided Political Atmosphere, Agence France Presse, May 5
TEHRAN - Millions of Iranians are mourning the 7th-century Shiite Moslem leader Imam Hossein, a symbol of the 1979 Islamic revolution, in a spectacular gesture of unity belying widening political divisions and bitter factional disputes.
But while all sectors of the population remain faithful to Ashura as a religious symbol, the event is observed this year amid worsening factional fighting.
"Some people think there are new grounds to express their false ideas about freedom of expression. Why don't we stop these contaminated pens ... Have we forgotten our slogans?" thundered arch-conservative Ayatollah Ahmad Janati.
"Why do we allow them to raise doubts about our values. If we allow them this, nothing will last of Islam and the revolution," he added. "This way we will distance ourselves from the cause of Imam Hossein, the cause of martyrdom."
A row began last week after the pro-Khatami press published remarks attributed to the commander of the Revolutionary Guards, General Yahya Rahim Safavi, who reportedly threatened to crack down on internal dissent and criticism.
While some newspapers blasted Safavi for the remarks, which were consequently denied by the Guards, fundamentalists backed him.
"On the eve of Ashura, there is an orchestrated offensive
against the children of Imam Hossein. But you have all the rights to voice
your grievances and we will never leave you alone," said Jomhuri Islami
newspaper, addressing the general and his forces.
Mullahs Worry About Their Expansionist Intentions in Uzbekistan, BBC Radio, May 6
Iran has repeated its criticism of Uzbek policy, accusing President Karimov of suppressing Muslims.
Iranian radio said Mr. Karimov seemed not to distinguish between Islamic extremists and what it called reformists. The radio further accused Mr. Karimov of trying to create a regional axis under Tashkent.
Correspondents say the Iranians have made similar
charges before, but this attack is the most trenchant so far.
Oil Giant Iran to Remain Petrol Importer, Reuter, May 3
DUBAI - Iran, the world's third largest oil exporter, has shown scant signs of shaking off its addiction to cheap petrol and will spend some $170 million of scarce hard currency on imports to keep motorists happy.
The latest indication of the adverse effect of having one of the world's cheapest retail pump prices came from an Iranian oil manager who was reported on Sunday as saying the Islamic Republic was expected to import four million liters a day of petrol in the current Iranian year which started on March 21.
Building new refineries has not stopped imports despite promises by officials that the country would become self-sufficient in oil.