Back to Brief on Iran
TEHRAN - Iranian officials reiterated Wednesday that their pursuit of détente in international relations signaled little change toward the United States, Iran's arch-enemy still known here as "the Great Satan."
Even Mohammad Khatami, who has in the past left the door open to better ties with Washington, said the United States is "unjust" and remains separated from Iran by a "wall of mistrust."
Former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani told a meeting of Iranian diplomats here that the United States and its close ally Israel were blocking the way toward Tehran's pursuit of détente.
Khatami lashed out at the United States and Israel for their "distortions of the reality in the Islamic republic."
"To justify their unjust behavior these powers have tried to paint a horrible picture of Islam to suggest Iran is a great enemy to be avoided," he said.
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has final say on all matters of state, reiterated the message the following day, warning that relations with the United States and Israel were "impossible."
"Our problem with the United States
is not a question of détente. Economic progress in Iran hurts the
United States, and if the Islamic model in Iran succeeds it would encourage
other countries to follow suit," he said.
More on Increase Funds By Mullahs for Terrorist Activities, The Washington Times, August 18
Iran has stepped up funding for Islamic terrorists in Lebanon, Syria and Israel to sabotage the revived Middle East peace process and distract Iranians from problems at home, Israeli and U.S. officials say. A weekend report said $5 million was sent to Hamas bank accounts in Syria last month.
Israelis are braced for a resumption of the sort of devastating suicide bus bombings that killed scores of Israelis from 1994 to 1996 and led voters to elect a hawkish Israeli government, stalling the peace process.
"I can confirm that we do know Iran is boosting its assistance to Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah in the recent period," said an Israeli government spokesman yesterday.
"We've also noted that basically the entire Iranian leadership is continuing to denigrate Israel and the peace process in the strongest terms," said the official, speaking on the condition of anonymity....
U.S. intelligence sources said Iran "operates an ongoing pipeline that gives at least millions of dollars per year to Hamas alone."...
A State Department official said that "our concerns regarding Iran's support of terrorist groups opposed to the peace process is well known... We have no indication this kind of support has ceased."...
Despite continued Iranian support for terrorism, the Clinton administration plans to continue to improve relations with Iran, said another State Department official....
There have been unofficial exchanges since then, and Iran was dropped recently from a list barring it from purchasing U.S. food and medicine. The first purchase of 50,000 tons of corn was completed a few weeks ago....
Iran continues to transfer cash to
terrorists -- some of it in the form of direct payments to the families
of suicide bombers --according to Israeli and U.S. sources.
Leading Mullah Says Disrespect to Khomeini Not Tolerable, State-Controlled Tehran Times, August 18
TEHRAN - The secretary of the [pro-Khatami] Majma' Ruhanioon Mobarez (Assembly of Combatant Clerics), Hojjatoleslam Karoubi ... warned that the followers of Imam Khomeini will not remain silent if attempts are made to disrespect the late Imam.
In his letter, Karoubi said, "As I stated in my previous letter, I am not going to air my view about the performance of Ayatollah Montazeri when he served as the would-be successor of the late Imam. "I hate to recall many of the incidents which are not in his favor," he added.
"However, there seems to be elements who want to use Mr. Montazeri to incite a group of officials, who do not like to take any siding against Mr. Montazeri, to level baseless discourtesies against the late Imam. "I should reiterate that I won't remain silent over any sidings against or insult to the late Imam.
"Fortunately or unfortunately I have on my mind the tiniest incidents which took place before or after the Islamic Revolution. Hence if some persons want to take advantage of the present circumstances and the harsh and illogical treatment of some organs and people, they should be sure that the advocates of the May 23, 1997 epic (presidential election) who are fond of the late Imam will not stand the smallest insults to the Imam....