According to information received from Iran, a major clash erupted between residents of Malard region in Karaj (30km west of Tehran) and a large number of State Security Forces (SSF) and municipality agents on Sunday, November 7.

Five municipality agents and members of the SSF were wounded. A number of residents were injured and several others arrested.

The clash started when municipality agents accompanied by SSF personnel attempted to demolish with loaders and other equipment half-built houses of the impoverished residents in the area.

By assaulting the protesters and opening fire and using tear gas, the SSF put down the protest and demolished the homes with loaders.
 

After Two Days Regime Admits to Shiraz Clashes, Agence France Presse, November 10

TEHRAN- At least 54 people were arrested following clashes at a soccer match in the southern city of Shiraz earlier this week, the Kayhan paper reported Wednesday.

"In this connection, more than 54 people... in the sports center of Shiraz were arrested," the paper quoted the commander-in-chief of the southern Fars province's police force, Yusof Reza Abolfathi, as saying.

"Our forces were able to calm the atmosphere in the sports center very quickly and take measures…" he added. Press reports said hundreds of people, mostly teenagers, were hurt during the clashes Monday.

The opposition People's Mujahedeen said in statements faxed to AFP in Nicosia yesterday that the violence turned into an anti-government demonstration, ending in 250 being injured and more than 100 arrested. The Mujahedeen said the 20,000 spectators turned on the security forces, injuring six and damaging vehicles and government buildings.
 

Twice, Protesters Pelt Vehicle of Khatami's Guidance Minister with Paint-Filled Eggs in Rome, Iran Zamin News Agency, November 10

As a gesture of protest against the central role of the mullahs' "Ministry of Islamic Guidance" in inquisition and in cultural and artistic repression in Iran, Iranians living in Rome pelted the car carrying Ata'ollah Mohajerani, Khatami's Guidance Minister, with paint-filled eggs as it was leaving the Italian Foreign Ministry this morning.

Protesters chanted "Mohajerani is a terrorist and a killer of Iran's culture" and "down with Khatami," thus expressing their outrage at Mohajerani's visit to Italy.

The protest action came despite heavy security measures to protect Mohajerani's car.

Mohajerani's car was similarly pelted with eggs yesterday as it left the Senate building.
 

Iran Power Struggle: Clerics Duel, The Christian Science Monitor, November 10

TEHRAN - ... The scene in this modest "courtroom" ...hardly bespoke its significance. Abdollah Nouri - for years a trusted representative of... Khomeini... is on trial for apostasy, undermining clerical rule, and advocating the renewal of Iran-US ties...

"The conservatives have the upper hand. They have the police and the Army, but politically they are despised," says a European envoy in Tehran. "But how to get rid of them? Not by voting, because there is no democracy. You can only hope that the transition will not be too violent."...
 
 

The Washington Post, November 10 - ... Last week's meeting at Oslo among President Clinton, Yasser Arafat and Barak was a good first step… Acts of terrorism pose the greatest danger to the prospective peace--as the weekend bombing in Netanya proves. There is evidence that Iran, according to one minister in Barak's government, has taken a strategic decision to use terrorism to bring about the failure of the peace process. The Israeli army is on alert to preempt terror attacks...

The New York Times, November 10 - As formal talks start between Israelis and the Palestinians on how they will define themselves and relate to each other in a final peace, President Clinton finds himself in a central role... The collapse of the talks through a terrorist act sponsored by Iran is one of the administration's biggest fears, a senior official said. In recent speeches, the administration has specifically warned Iran not to try to destroy the peace talks by encouraging terrorist activity...

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