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June 2004 European Union challenged about Iran, the Middle East's biggest prison for journalists Reporters Without Borders on June 28 addressed an open letter to the European Union asking about the EU delegation that was in Tehran on 14-15 June taking part in a dialogue about human rights with the Islamic Republic. The organisation criticised the continuing threats against members of the news media and the deterioration in the situation of imprisoned journalists. - 6/30/04 Attack Iran, US chief ordered British America's military commander in Iraq ordered British troops to prepare a full-scale ground offensive against Iranian forces that had crossed the border and grabbed disputed territory, a senior officer has disclosed. An attack would almost certainly have provoked open conflict with Iran. But the British chose instead to resolve the matter through diplomatic channels. -Telegraph, UK - 6/30/04 UN clears Iran nuclear facility The head of the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency has said Russia's nuclear co-operation with Iran is no longer a matter of concern. He denied US claims that the Bushehr reactor could be used to make weapons. -BBC - 6/30/04 US Expels Two Iranians The United States has expelled two Iranian security guards at Iran's mission to the United Nations. U.S. officials say two employees at the Iranian U.N. mission were asked to leave the country for what are described as "activities incompatible with their stated duties." That phrase is diplomatic language for spying. -VOA - 6/30/04 Iran spruces up tourist industry Iran may not be everyone's choice for fun in the sun, but the Islamic Republic plans to privatise its lumbering state-run tourist sector and increase its share of world tourism 15-fold in the next 20 years. -Reuters - 6/30/04 Iranian FM spokesman: Bush's remarks beneath the dignity of a president Asefi's comments came after the US president claimed in his speech to the recently-concluded NATO summit in Istanbul that Iran was trying to develop weapons of mass destruction and spread terrorism around the world. He also described Iran as a "threat to world peace." - 6/30/04 Iran: French Experts to Help Refurbish Sa'dabad Palaces’ Furniture Furniture of the Sa’dabad Palace Complex, home to Iran’s former Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, is to be refurbished with the assistance of a delegation of French experts - 6/30/04 Kurds Want Autonomy, Respect from Rest of Iraq Kurdish leaders in Iraq say they are still seeking guarantees from the new interim government that it will uphold the right of Kurdish autonomy in northern Iraq, well after the transfer of sovereignty. -VOA - 6/30/04 Iraq is Worse Off Than Before the War Began, GAO Reports In a few key areas - electricity, the judicial system and overall security - the Iraq that America handed back to its residents Monday is worse off than before the war began last year, according to calculations in a new General Accounting Office report released Tuesday. -Common Dreams - 6/30/04 Atomic Ayatollahs Iran ratcheted up international nuclear tensions late last week by announcing it would resume (as soon as tomorrow) building nuclear centrifuges — an essential element in nuclear-weapons development. -Heritage Foundation - 6/30/04 Statoil fined over Iranian bribes Norway's economic crime investigator Okokrim said consultancy fees were paid by Statoil to secure contracts in Iran. -BBC - 6/30/04 Iran's Airwave Assault IRAN'S government broadcasts on short-wave radio in about 30 lan guages. It operates four 24/7 TV chan nels — one in Arabic to Iraq, a second in Arabic for Lebanon, a third in mostly local languages throughout Central Asia and a fourth in Persian for a global audience. U.S. International Broadcasting, by contrast, has just one 24/7 TV station: the Arabic-language news and information channel Al-hurra. -New York Post - 6/30/04 TV: Last Days in Iran - July 5-6 on Discovery channel After twenty-five years of Islamic theocracy, growing numbers of Iranians are starving for change. 70% of the population is under 30. They're wired to the Internet and tied into satellite TV for the first time exposed to Western ideas. - 6/30/04 100,000 Iranians are victims of Iraqi chemical weapons Some 100,000 Iranians have fallen victims to chemical weapons used by the Iraqi regime during its 1980-88 imposed war on Iran, it was announced in Tehran on Wednesday. - 6/30/04 Hamburg fans select Mahdavikia as top player of 2003 season Hamburger SV fans voted for Iranian international striker Mehdi Mahdavikia as the team's best player during the 2003-4 season, the north German club's online site announced Wednesday. - 6/30/04 Fifth-grader is admitted to Cal Tech An 11-year-old boy who traveled from Iran to Woodland Hills, Calif., four years ago is going to be a little man on campus at Cal State Los Angeles. -UPI - 6/30/04 Rumi Dabbled in Astronomy: Iranian Scholar Mowlana Jalaluddin Rumi, one of the great spiritual masters and poetical geniuses of mankind, was an astronomer as well, according to an Iranian academician - 6/30/04 Iran's football manager Mohammad Ranjbar dies of cerebral disorder Ranjbar, who was grown up in Kermanshah in western Iran won 22 caps in national team and played for the country in 1966 Olympic Games in Tokyo. - 6/29/04 Iran To Resume Building Nuclear Centrifuges The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United States, and the European Union have criticized Iran's decision to resume building centrifuges -- an apparatus that can be used to create weapons-grade enriched uranium. -RFE - 6/29/04 UN inspects Iran 'nuclear' site Nuclear inspectors from the United Nations have visited a site where Iran has been accused of working on a nuclear weapons programme. -BBC - 6/29/04 Iran says suspected nuke site was military lab -U.N. Iran has told United Nations inspectors a site at Lavizan, in Tehran, was used for military research before it was razed and not atomic weapons activity, as Washington suspects, the U.N. agency's chief said on Tuesday. -Reuters - 6/29/04 Billions of Revenue from Oil 'Missing' A Christian charity has accused the coalition authority in Iraq of failing to account for up to $20bn (nearly £11bn) of oil revenues which should have been spent on relief and reconstruction projects. -Common Dreams - 6/29/04 Oil prices fall on Iraq handover Oil prices have fallen to two-month lows following the incident-free handover of sovereignty in Iraq. -BBC - 6/29/04 Iran to establish new Bank in Afghanistan Bank Melli and Bank Saderat are to jointly establish a new Bank named "Aryan" in Kabul, it was announced in Kabul on Monday. - 6/29/04 Supreme court blow for Bush on Guantánamo Prisoners held at Guantánamo Bay will be able to challenge their detention in the American courts after the US supreme court yesterday curbed the Bush administration's power to deny detainees the right to a lawyer. -Guardian - 6/29/04 Angry Chirac puts Bush in his place Jacques Chirac bluntly told George Bush to mind his own business yesterday when the US president urged European leaders to give Turkey a firm date for starting EU membership talks later this year. -Guardian - 6/29/04 Iran's foreign ministry slams US expulsion of two UN mission guards Iran deplored the expulsion of two guards of its mission at the United Nations in New York. - 6/29/04 Sunday Close at Tehran Stock Exchange Some 57,916,000 shares, worth Rls 540.110 billion (US$ 62.80 million), were traded at the Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE) on Sunday June 27, 2004, Pars Investment reported. - 6/29/04 Iran's government spokesman plays down spat over closure of international airport Iran Monday played down a spat, surrounding the closure of an international airport south of Tehran, rejecting a report on alleged showdown between the government and revolutionary guards over the project as 'a joke'. - 6/29/04 Iraq's Alawi: We extend a hand to boost friendship with Iran In his first address following power transfer in Iraq, the Interim Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Alawi said, "We extend a hand toward Iran, Turkey and all other neighbor of Iraq for boosting friendship and cooperation with them." - 6/29/04 IRAN: Special on Afghan refugees Afghans have been streaming into Iran for decades, fleeing war, despotic leaders, fanatical regimes and economic misery. In 2000 alone, almost a quarter of a million Afghans sought refuge in Iran from the feared Taliban rulers. -IRIN - 6/29/04 D-Days for Iran’s Historical Sites in UNESCO’s Session As forty-eight new sites are vying for a place on UNESCO's prestigious World Heritage List, voting for Pasargadae and the Bam Citadel is due to be held on Thursday and Friday, respectively. - 6/29/04 Caspian: Influx Of Killer Jellyfish Threatens Fish Stocks Ten years ago, a voracious species of plankton-eating jellyfish appeared in the Caspian Sea, posing a serious threat to already declining fish stocks. One potential solution might be introducing a second jellyfish species to prey on the first. But the Caspian's five littoral states have yet to reach an agreement on how best to handle the problem -- leaving the sea in danger of suffering irreversible damage in the meantime. -RFE - 6/29/04 Iran Plans to Buttress Abyaneh's Clay Buildings In order to buttress Iranian clay buildings against jolts and quakes, a special plan to renovate and preserve the ancient village of Abyaneh has just started, Iranian Cultural Heritage News Agency reported on Tuesday. - 6/29/04 President says 85 dams to be built all over Iran by 2005 Addressing a ceremony marking the inauguration of Yamchi reservoir dam in this northwestern Iranian province, Khatami said 50 dams have been built in Iran in the post-Islamic Revolution era, five of which erected this year. - 6/29/04 Iran's Nuclear Shell Game Of one thing we can be quite certain: Iran is not a pushover or a house of cards as many have portrayed it be. Threats, intimidation and sanctions will only force Iran’s conservative hardliners to strengthen their positions as the nation’s guardians. Under such conditions, even if Iran might be simply bluffing with its nuclear shell game at this time, prudence alone would dictate striving aggressively to develop the ultimate deterrent, sooner rather than later. -Kam Zarrabi - 6/28/04 Statoil May Be Cleared of Bribery Charge in Iran, Investors Say Statoil ASA, Norway's biggest oil company, may be cleared of bribery allegations that prompted a nine-month police inquiry and caused three top officials to quit, said investors including Peter Warren of Euronordic in Oslo. -Bloomberg - 6/28/04 40,000 Chemically Wounded Veterans In Iran: Professor University professor Dr. Mostafa Qane’i said here Sunday that there are 40,000 chemically wounded veterans and civilians in Iran, adding that this group should take safety issues into further account in view of seasonal changes that can aggravate their illness. -Tehran Times - 6/28/04 Stepping Out to a Cold Irish Welcome Smiling and waving, George Bush glided down the steps of Air Force One at Shannon airport last night, seemingly unfazed by his tag as the most unwelcome American ever to set foot on Irish soil. -Common Dreams - 6/28/04 Armenia, Iran to start gas pipeline construction Armenia and Iran intend to immediately begin the construction of a gas pipeline between the two countries, says a report from the Armenian presidential press service. -Interfax - 6/28/04 Al-Qaeda trials could take years: Iranian gov't Iran's government said that the Islamic republic may take up to three years to put on trial captured members of the Al-Qaeda network held in its jails. -AFP - 6/28/04 US hands over sovereignty in Iraq The US has formally handed over power in Iraq, two days ahead of schedule. -BBC - 6/28/04 Iran to resume nuclear programme Iran is to resume elements of its uranium enrichment programme tomorrow in a move which worsens the confrontation with the west over Tehran's suspected ambition to develop a nuclear bomb. -Guardian - 6/28/04 Iran: Largest Zinc Mill in Middle East Goes Bankrupt Massoud Shariati, Bafq governor announced on June 22, 2004 that the largest zinc mill in the Middle East has gone bankrupt four years after establishment in the city of Bafq, Yazd province, Pars Investment reported from Tehran. - 6/28/04 US Blasts Iran Nuke Program The United States is blasting Iran's decision to resume constructing machinery designed to enrich uranium, a process that can be used to generate weapons-grade nuclear material. -VOA - 6/28/04 Russia to Speed Up Nuclear Deal With Iran — Top Nuclear Official Russia will avoid delays in the launch of an atomic reactor in Iran by speeding up talks with Tehran on a key bilateral deal, the head of the Russian Atomic Energy Agency, Aleksandr Rumyantsev, said. -Moscow News - 6/28/04 Susann Hashemiyan brings East and West together in her art to tell a new Story What can I say? I found her work most provocative! I was impressed with this young lady, who has studied textile design and has been practicing drawing/painting for the past 12 years. -Syma Sayyah, Tehran - 6/28/04 Council Votes to Trim Down Troublesome Tower in Isfahan The technical council of Iran’s Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization (CHTO) in its today’s session approved plans to decrease the height of a towering concrete building that overlooks Isfahan’s historical Naghsh-e Jahan Square - 6/27/04 Russia stresses continuation of nuclear cooperation with Iran Head of Russian Atomic Energy Agency Alexander Rumyantsev stressed here Sunday on continuation of cooperation with Iran on nuclear energy. - 6/27/04 Iran Police Blame USA, UK for Flow of Afghan Drugs Iran's police blamed Britain and the United States for bumper poppy crops in Afghanistan that are enflaming social problems in the Islamic Republic where more than 2 million people are drug addicts. -Reuters - 6/27/04 Iranian woman gives birth to frog An Iranian woman gave birth to a frog in a bizarre labor in the southeastern city of Iranshahr Saturday - 6/27/04 US wants reconstruction fund to pay Saddam debts Iraq's $150bn debt arises out of loans dating back to its bloody war against Iran during the Eighties. The country owes another $30bn in reparation payments for damage inflicted on neighbouring countries such as Kuwait during the invasion in 1990. -Guardian - 6/27/04 U.S. raises temperature in nuke row with Iran The United States on Sunday condemned Iran for persisting with what Washington says is an atomic bomb-making programme but Tehran vowed to resist such international pressure. -Reuters - 6/27/04 Taliban Targeting Would-Be Afghan Voters Afghan security officials say Taliban fighters in the southern province of Zabul have kidnapped and killed more than a dozen people who were carrying voter registration cards for elections scheduled in September. -RFE - 6/27/04 Iran's Parliament elects three lawyers to fill vacancies in Guardian Council The lawyers, Mohammad Reza Alizadeh, Gholam-Hussein Elham and Abbas Ka'bi, were elected by MPs in an open session of the Majlis this morning. - 6/27/04 UN concern at Iran nuclear move The UN's nuclear chief has joined Washington and the EU in urging Iran not to resume production of centrifuge parts used in uranium enrichment. -BBC - 6/27/04 We must support Iran's evolution With nearly two-thirds of the population under 25, a good education system and 15 per cent of school leavers going to university, the pressure to provide jobs and prospects preoccupies politicians of all hues. With abundant oil and minerals plus a steady 6 per cent annual increase in GDP, Britain, the Germans, French and Italians have recognised Iran as a coming powerhouse. More than $4 billion of foreign investment has gone in this year. -Lord Phillips, Guardian - 6/27/04 Iran: SNSC Secretary says Confidence-building is 1st step in talks with Europeans Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) of Iran Hojatoleslam Hassan Rowhani said here on Sunday that the first step for resumption of new round and long-term talks with Europeans is building up confidence. - 6/27/04 UN asks Israel to go nuclear-free The head of the UN's nuclear watchdog, Mohamed ElBaradei, says Israel should start discussions on ridding the Middle East of nuclear weapons. He said such dialogue would help reduce frustration in the region about "what is seen to be a widespread imbalance". -BBC - 6/27/04 Bush pleads for unity over Iraq George Bush hailed an end to the 'bitter differences' between Europe and America over Iraq yesterday after the European Union approved a key role for Nato in rebuilding the country's security.'The bitter differences over the war are over,' Bush said. 'We all agree that a democratic and peaceful Iraq, with its territorial integrity intact, is in all our benefit.' -Guardian - 6/27/04 Iran to manufacture centrifuges parts under IAEA supervision: FM Spokesman Iran will manufacture and assemble centrifuges' parts under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi said on Sunday. - 6/27/04 International Committee of Bam Salvage to Convene An international committee, made of 3 local and 3 foreign experts, is to be set up to organize and coordinate future global efforts to recover the historical citadel of the Iranian city of Bam - 6/27/04 Iran defeats Syria 4-1 and wins West Asian Football Federation title Iran breezed past Syria 4-1 in the final showdown of the third West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) Championship in Tehran on Friday. - 6/26/04 Iran Rebuked Amid Nuclear Fears The United States, the European Union and the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog condemned Iran on Saturday for deciding to resume a production process that could make purified uranium for an atomic bomb. -Reuters - 6/26/04 IAPAC Honors the Accomplishments of Iranian Women The Iranian American Political Action Committee (IAPAC) recently celebrated the accomplishments of Iranian women and honored Mahnaz Afkhami, Women’s Learning Partnership CEO, Mehrangiz Kar, human rights activist, and Shirin Ebadi, Nobel Peace Laureate. - 6/26/04 Iran: Rafsanjani Blasts Mideast Plan Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani is Iran's former president and current head of its Expediency Council, which arbitrates disputes between parliament and the Council of Guardians. Like other Iranian officials, he has made clear his opposition to democratic reform in the Middle East. -VOA - 6/26/04 Iran's roads take heavy toll Iran has one of the world's highest rates for traffic accidents and its roads can be quite a challenge, as people with experience of them have been telling BBC News Online. - 6/26/04 Quakes hit southwestern Iranian city of Dogonbadan in succession Two earthquakes measuring 4.7 and 3.6 degrees on the open-ended Richter scale hit the city of Dogonbadan in Kohgilouyeh and Boyer Ahmad province, southwest of Iran, Friday night and early Saturday. - 6/26/04 Iran/Bam: Six Months after the Earthquake: International Help still Needed Six months after the severe earthquake of 26 December 2003 in southern Iranian Bam, Carsten Stork, project coordinator of Malteser Germany in Bam, resumes the situation: “In cooperation with the population and with the local authorities and organisations, the international relief community has already achieved good results concerning the rehabilita-tion of houses, school buildings and health centres. -Reuters - 6/26/04 Self-Immolation Of Women On The Rise In Western Afghanistan The Afghan government is expressing concern over the growing number of women in Herat Province who have killed themselves through self-immolation. -RFE - 6/26/04 Canadian envoy: Ground prepared for expansion of Iran-Canada trade ties Canadian Ambassador to Iran Philip McKinon said in Tehran on Saturday that the ground has been prepared for expansion of trade ties between the two countries. - 6/26/04 EU concern at Iran nuclear move Germany and the UK have voiced concern at Iran's decision to break a deal and resume production of centrifuge parts used in uranium enrichment. -BBC - 6/26/04 Iranian dissident Aghajari goes back to court after death sentence quashed Prominent Iranian dissident Hasham Aghajari might be released from prison on bail while he awaits the latest review of his death sentence for apostacy, recently quashed by the Supreme Court, the tribunal's chief justice said. -AFP - 6/26/04 U.S. wars in Persian Gulf unshackle Iran Western diplomats and local officials in the Middle East say Iran, widely considered a supporter of international terrorism that's trying to develop nuclear weapons, is emerging as the unintended winner of Bush's war on terrorism. -Knight Ridder Newspapers - 6/26/04 Leave Iran to the Iranians The unhappy truth is that the only the Iranian people can engineer genuine changes inside Iran and our own interference, no matter how well-intentioned, is essentially misguided. -Intellectual Conservative - 6/26/04 Analysis: Can Iraq help U.S.-Iran relations Could Iraq be a "test case" to improve relations between the United States and Iran? A top Iranian diplomat who asked not to be identified, said U.S.-Iranian relations have been "shy," especially since the wars that deposed the regimes of the Taliban in Afghanistan and of President Saddam Hussein in Iraq. -UPI - 6/26/04 Afghanistan And Iran Confront Their Drug Problem The international community will mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse on 26 June. Global opium cultivation is down, but increased cultivation in Afghanistan and higher opium yields led to a 5 percent increase in illicit global opium production between 2002 and 2003. -RFE - 6/26/04 US seeks united approach with EU over Iran's nuclear program President George W Bush's attendance at the EU-US summit in Ireland this weekend will include discussions on Iran, according to the US Under-Secretary, Economic, Business, and Agricultural Affairs Alan Larson. - 6/25/04 Iran gives written response to IAEA, Europeans over nuclear criticism Iran's top national security official has written to the International Atomic Energy Agency and the three main European powers to respond to a resolution critical of its cooperation, a foreign ministry spokesman said. -AFP - 6/25/04 Released Britons return to Iraq Eight British servicemen who were held in Iran for three days are now back with UK forces in Iraq, defence chiefs have confirmed. -BBC - 6/25/04 Iran's Information Ministry denies investigation into Zahra Kazemi's case is over Iran's Information Ministry on Thursday rejected recent claims by Tehran's prosecutor general that investigation by by a three-member board into the case of late photojournalist Zahra Kazemi is over. - 6/25/04 'This is the only fun the kids get - shooting at the US sitting ducks' Who exactly are the Iraqi resistance? In a remarkable essay, Ghaith Abdul-Ahad joins the front-line anti-American fighters in Kerbala, Falluja and Sadr City, and discovers that they are not always the well-trained, highly motivated fanatics we imagine -Guardian - 6/25/04 Authorities In Azerbaijan Strive To Keep Islam Under Control Even before the collapse of the Soviet Union, religious groups from Turkey and Iran began flourishing in Azerbaijan. In addition to its geographic proximity, Azerbaijan's historical and cultural ties to both Turkey and Iran provided fertile ground for both Sunni religious endowments and Shi'a mullahs to develop missionary activities. -RFE - 6/25/04 N.Korea Test Threat Casts Shadow Over China Talks A North Korean threat to test a nuclear device overshadowed six-way negotiations in Beijing on Friday aimed at resolving the North's nuclear crisis but host China put a positive spin on the day's talks. -Reuters - 6/25/04 AFGHANISTAN: Challenges of rapid urban development Although largely a rural nation, Afghanistan's urban development is now proceeding faster than ever with reconstruction and rehabilitation well under way. -IRIN - 6/25/04 Iraq War Analysis Paints Grim Picture Unless you own a lot of stock in Halliburton or other big defense, security, or construction companies, chances are the Iraq war has turned out to be a pretty bad investment, both in human lives and taxpayer dollars, according to a new assessment by a progressive Washington-based think tank, the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS). -Common Dreams - 6/25/04 UK regrets Iran resuming production of uranium centrifuge parts On Thursday, US Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security John Bolton said that Iran had announced it would resume production of uranium centrifuge parts and had informed the UK, France and Germany. - 6/25/04 Iranian blot on 'half the world' draws ire from UNESCO "Isfahan is half the world," or so the Persian proverb boasts. But the image of the central Iranian oasis, home to some of the world's greatest architectural splendors, could come in for a major blow amid a dispute with the United Nations cultural body UNESCO. -AFP - 6/25/04 Scores die in Iran tanker inferno At least 90 people are reported to have died and scores more have been hurt in a blaze which began when a fuel tanker crashed into buses in south-east Iran. -BBC - 6/25/04 Internet Under Surveillance Report 2004 - Situation in Iran: Very Serious Reporters Without Borders has released Internet Under Surveillance report 2004. The report whic is focused on"obstacles to the free flow of information online" discusses the situation of internet users around the globe. The situation in Iran has been described as very serious. - 6/25/04 Tehran's Art Scene: Afshan Ketabchi and Andy Warhol's "Everyone will be famous for 15 minutes" Recently I had the opportunity to see the works of another provocative artist, again a lady, in Tehran’s Golestan gallery. I was astounded when I walked into the gallery last week to see the works of Afshan Ketabchi whose motto for the show was a line from Andy Warhol everyone will be famous for 15 minutes. -Syma Sayyah, Tehran - 6/24/04 Foreign-Born Candidates Compete for US House Seat in Oregon Republican Goli Ameri is challenging Democratic incumbent David Wu. Ms. Ameri is Iranian and Representative Wu is the only member of Congress born in China. From Portland, Colin Fogarty looks at the candidates and their changing district. -VOA - 6/24/04 British sailors are latest pawns in Iranian politics The announced release by Iran of eight detained British sailors Wednesday defused a brewing diplomatic crisis. It reflects how Iran - despite a clear conservative political shift in recent months - can still choose pragmatism on matters crucial to national security. -CSM - 6/24/04 Facing Humiliating Defeat, US Abandons Move to Exempt Troops from War Crimes Faced with the prospect of a humiliating defeat, the United States abandoned its proposal to seek Security Council exemption for U.S. soldiers from possible war crime charges in future U.N. peacekeeping operations overseas. -Common Dreams - 6/24/04 New image shows Iran fully razed suspected nuke site A new satellite image obtained on Wednesday by Reuters shows Iran has almost completely scraped clean a suspected nuclear site in Tehran, which the United States says is proof of an attempt to hide a weapons programme. -Reuters - 6/24/04 Should Congress Roll Back the Legal Reach of the Patriot Act? The Civil Liberties Restoration Act (CLRA) (S.2528 and H.R.4591), simultaneously introduced in the House and Senate, calls for the rolling back of several provisions outlined in the US PATRIOT Act, which, the bill’s architects contend, have allowed the US Justice Department to damage America’s civil liberties. -NIAC - 6/24/04 Iran Khodro pavilion ranks 1st in 6th international auto fair in Tehran Iran Khodro pavilion in Tehran sixth International Automobile Fair (June 20-24) stood first with respect to the diversity, innovation, design, quality and number of its produced cars as well as dissemination of information and decoration of its pavilions. - 6/24/04 US seeks united approach with EU over Iran's nuclear program President George W Bush's attendance at the EU-US summit in Ireland this weekend will include discussions on Iran, according to the US Under-Secretary, Economic, Business, and Agricultural Affairs Alan Larson. - 6/24/04 Soccer: Iran defeats Iraq 2-1 in WAFF semifinal Iran on Wednesday defeated Iraq 2-1 in the semifinal of the third West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) Championship. - 6/24/04 Iran releases British servicemen The six Royal Marines and two sailors were flown to Tehran and have now been taken to the British embassy compound in the Iranian capital. -BBC - 6/24/04 From online to on screen exposure The Iranian journalist who exposed New Republic writer Stephen Glass as a fraud in a breakthrough for online journalism has told the BBC of the "daunting task" of being portrayed in the film Shattered Glass. -BBC - 6/24/04 Report on the death penalty worldwide lists China, Iran and Iraq as top executioners for 2003 in 2003. One country alone, China, carried out at least 5,000, or 89.3% of the executions that took place during 2003. Iran was responsible for at least 154 executions. Iraq, up to April 9 when US Central Command chief General Tommy Franks suspended the death penalty -Hands Off Cain - 6/24/04 Book award goes to "Senator: the Work of Senator Mehrangiz Manouchehrian in the Struggle for Legal Rights for Women" and "Reading Lolita in Tehran" Parvin Ardalan and Noushin Ahmadi Khorasani's book "Senator: the Work of Senator Mehrangiz Manouchehrian in the Struggle for Legal Rights for Women" was selected as co-winner of the 2004 Latifeh Yarshater Book Award. - 6/23/04 The Chalabi case: what does it imply for Iran? The first question that comes to mind here is whether the Chalabi affair is based on genuine US concerns or is designed to provide the Washington hawks with another foreign policy instrument against Tehran. -Amir Ali Nourbakhsh, Tehran - 6/23/04 Khatami: Petrochemical industry, backbone of Iranian economy Addressing local officials attending a special ceremony held on the occasion of launching of five major petrochemical projects in the southwestern city of Mahshahr in Khuzestan province, he said petrochemical products comprise four percent of the country's industrial exports. - 6/23/04 British envoy, Iranian MP review latest developments in Iraq British Ambassador to Tehran Richard Dalton discussed regional and international issues with head of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi in Tehran on Wednesday. - 6/23/04 Iran: Seizure Of British Patrol Boats, Crews Raising Tensions Iran's seizure of three small British boats and their crews is raising tensions between Tehran and London. -REF - 6/23/04 Satellie image of Tehran, Iran This is a natural color, 60-centimeter (2-foot) high-resolution QuickBird satellite image featuring the capitol city of Iran. - 6/23/04 World's Nuclear Powers Decried as Hypocrites The world's nuclear powers have failed to reduce their reliance on atomic weapons, creating a double standard that plagues international efforts to reduce their spread, the United Nations top nuclear watchdog said yesterday. -Common Dreams - 6/23/04 Shatt al-Arab, Iran-Iraq flashpoint now filled with rusting wrecks The Shatt al-Arab, where Iranian forces arrested eight members of the British navy, is a narrow stretch of water whose strategic importance disappeared after it was filled with shipwrecks during the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s. -AFP - 6/23/04 Afghan detainees routinely tortured and humiliated by US troops Detainees held in Afghanistan by American troops have been routinely tortured and humiliated as part of the interrogation process, in the same way as those in Iraq, a Guardian investigation has found. -Guardian - 6/23/04 Quake hits Abdanan in western Iran A mild earthquake measuring 3.4 degrees on the richter scale jolted Abdanan in the western province of Ilam Wednesday morning. - 6/23/04 Troubled waters: how an eight-man British flotilla steered itself into a diplomatic crisis Marines and sailors fall foul of tensions between west and Iran - and the bloody history of a strategically sensitive channel in Middle East -Guardian - 6/23/04 Mystery surrounds Chretien's possible visit to Iran A possible visit to Iran by former Canadian prime minister Jean Chretien in his capacity as adviser to oil company Petrokazakhstan remains wrapped in silence here. -AFP - 6/23/04 CIA planned guerrilla campaign in Iran to counter communists in 1953: documents The US Central Intelligence Agency planned a sustained guerrilla campaign in Iran in case its 1953 plan to ouster the government of Mohammad Mossadegh fell through and communists increased their sway over the country, according to newly declassified US government documents. -AFP - 6/23/04 Iran orders release of UK sailors The eight crew members of three UK patrol boats seized by Iran near the border with Iraq are to be released, an Iranian armed forces spokesman says. -BBC - 6/23/04 Tehran Stock Exchange Information System for Foreign Investors Launched Pars Investment Ltd. has launched on June 21, 2004 an internet-based information system, providing foreign and Iranian Expatriate investors in English language with a wide variety of up-to-date information on the Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE). - 6/23/04 Iranian FM: British sailors to be released shortly Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said in Tehran on Wednesday that the eight British sailors detained in Iran's territorial waters on Monday will be released later in the day. - 6/23/04 US House Committee to Examine Iran's Nuclear Ambition A committee of the House of Representatives holds a hearing later Wednesday on the threat posed by Iran's nuclear ambitions. The hearing also comes amid renewed concern by some lawmakers about what they call Iranian interference in efforts to stabilize Iraq. -VOA - 6/23/04 Guns or Growth? - Governments are sacrificing development goals for arms exports Fourteen developing countries spend more on the military than on both health and education taken individually: Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Iran, Cambodia, China, Ecuador, Nigeria, Rwanda, Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone -Control Arms - 6/22/04 US To Recosider Iran Sanctions Bid in September U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell says the Bush administration will reconsider in September the question of whether to pursue U.N. sanctions against Iran because of its nuclear program. Mr. Powell discussed the issue Monday with the International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Mohamed el-Baradei. -VOA - 6/22/04 Iran cracks down on summer dress Iran's government has launched a crackdown on women who flout the strict Islamic dress codes during the hot summer months. -BBC - 6/22/04 Iran seeks to extinguish hubble-bubble pipes Police told Reuters there was no particular focus on the pipes, saying the after-dinner relaxants had just fallen victim to a directive banning smoking in all public places. -Reuters - 6/22/04 Iran approves membership of Turkey, Ukraine in north-south corridor Director General of Iran's Transportation and Terminals Organization for transit and border terminals affairs Mohammad Javad Atrchian on Tuesday announced that Iran approves membership of Turkey and Ukraine in the agreement on international north-south transportation corridor. - 6/22/04 Iraqis See U.S. Sham as Abuse Trials Open Court-martial proceedings against Maryland-based U.S. soldiers accused of abusing Iraqi prisoners are to begin here today, but among many Iraqis the verdict on the legal process is already in: It's a sham. -Common Dreams - 6/22/04 Iran 'to charge British sailors' Iran is to prosecute eight UK sailors detained for illegally entering its territorial waters, state-run TV quotes military sources as saying. -BBC - 6/22/04 Iran, Russia to cooperate in aerospace field Iran's Khaje-Nasiroddin Toussi University and Russian State Technological University, MATI, singed a letter of understanding to launch joint cooperation in the field of aerospace in future - 6/22/04 Air France resumes Tehran flights after 7 years Speaking to reporters, Spinetta said Air France is launching three weekly flights from Paris to Tehran every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday with return flights taking place every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. - 6/22/04 British diplomats in talks to free sailors and marines British diplomats were last night frantically trying to prevent a full-scale diplomatic crisis between London and Tehran after the seizure of three Royal Navy vessels in the disputed waterway between southern Iraq and Iran. -Gaudian - 6/22/04 Iranian varsity team wins Vancouver taekwondo crown Iran's representative, Payam-e Nour University, was crowned at the third Vancouver international taekwondo meet Tuesday. - 6/22/04 Dealing with Iran's Nuclear Challenge Some other steps to enhance nuclear cooperation -Roger Howard, AntiWar.com - 6/22/04 Plan B: As June 30th approaches, Israel looks to the Kurds Israeli intelligence and military operatives are now quietly at work in Kurdistan, providing training for Kurdish commando units and, most important in Israel’s view, running covert operations inside Kurdish areas of Iran and Syria. Israel feels particularly threatened by Iran, whose position in the region has been strengthened by the war. -New Yorker - 6/21/04 Banouyeh Iran: A heart-to-heart with poet Simin Behbahani During the past month, Washington, DC has been the site of many important events, especially when it comes to famous Iranian women. The Nobel Peace prize laureate, Shirin Ebadi, human rights activist Mehrangiz Kar and the most famous poetess of Iran, Simin Behbahani were all here last month, accepting awards, and making rounds with passionate speeches, poetry and reading. -Fariba Amini - 6/21/04 Behind 'The Terminal,' a true story As far as Steven Spielberg's new blockbuster, "The Terminal," is concerned, the experience of being trapped inside an airport for a year can lead to friendship, comic high jinks, and even romance. But it's hard to see the life of Mehran Karimi Nasseri through Spielberg-colored glasses. -CSM - 6/21/04 Supreme Leader dismisses US, European controversy over Iran's nuclear program Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Seyed Ali Khamenei on Monday castigated the United States and the Europeans for having stirred up a controversy over Iranian nuclear program. - 6/21/04 Iranian varsity taekwondo team takes four golds in Vancouver Iran's Payam-e Nour University won four gold medals in the third Vancouver international taekwondo tournament Monday - 6/21/04 Iran garners four Asian wrestling medals, eyes four more golds Iran swooped three golds and one bronze at the Asian Under-20 Greco-Roman Wrestling Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan, planning four more golds - 6/21/04 F-14 crash kills both pilots in central Iran Both fighter pilots of an Iranian F-14 Tomcat were killed Sunday morning after it crashed near the central city of Isfahan while landing - 6/21/04 Crackdown on Western-Style Coffee Shops Iran’s religious police will launch a summer crackdown on Western-style coffee shops and women who flout Islamic dress codes, a newspaper reported yesterday. -Reuters - 6/21/04 Conspiracy threat to anti-nuke treaty The US and UK governments will this week be accused of conspiring to break the international agreement to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. -New Scientist - 6/21/04 'Three UK vessels seized in Iran' Iran says it has seized three British navy vessels inside its territorial waters near the Iraqi border. -BBC - 6/21/04 Sadr invited to Iraqi conference The committee preparing next month's Iraqi national conference says it has invited the radical Shia cleric, Moqtada Sadr, to take part. -BBC - 6/21/04 People's Mujahedeen faces uncertain future in Iraq An Iranian exile group, which settled here during the rule of Saddam Hussein, faces an uncertain future following attempts to force them out of the new Iraq. -AFP - 6/21/04 Iran to ban water-pipe in public Iranian officials have said that smoking the hubble-bubble, or water-pipe, will be banned in all restaurants and leisure places from Monday. -BBC - 6/21/04 Iran rebukes EU on rights abuses Iran has lashed out at the EU, saying the 25-member bloc should solve its own human rights issues before criticising those of the Islamic Republic. -BBC - 6/21/04 Little Parks in Tehran These days my work takes me to the city center whether I go to work or walk or ride in special Tehran's taxis –called mostaghim (straight)- to get to meetings. This gives me a good chance to see and be ever so impressed with the state of Tehran's Little Parks which are scattered all around the city. -Syma Sayyah, Tehran - 6/20/04 Europeans get tough on Iran amid frustration over engagement The European Union has hardened its position on Iran amid mounting frustration with the fruits of its bid to "engage" the Islamic republic on its nuclear programme, human rights and terrorism, diplomats say. -AFP - 6/20/04 Central Asian states gain additional profit from oil swap via Iran National Iranian Oil Company's (NIOC) director for international affairs Hojjatollah Ghanimifard on Sunday said the oil producing Caspian Sea littoral states can gain additional profit by transferring or swapping oil via Iran - 6/20/04 Iranian sets himself on fire in Louisville An Iranian refugee holding a sign that read "Who's responsible" doused himself with gasoline yesterday and set himself ablaze in front of the county courthouse, officials said. -AP - 6/20/04 NZ immigration officials embarrased An Iranian who has overstayed his welcome in New Zealand has eluded immigration officers for 18 months, even though he keeps popping up on television. -UPI - 6/20/04 India and Pakistan set up hotline India and Pakistan have agreed to set up a new telephone hotline to alert each of potential nuclear risks. The nuclear neighbours, who came close to war two years ago, also agreed to continue a moratorium on nuclear weapons testing in place since 1998. -BBC - 6/20/04 US Criticizes Iran's Nuclear Aims The United States says Iran's threat to restart its uranium enrichment program clearly shows the country has military aims behind its nuclear program. Iran has said it might resume uranium enrichment following Friday's rebuke from the International Atomic Energy Agency. -VOA - 6/20/04 Iran to review its policies, commitments regarding nuclear activities: FM Spokesman Iran will review its policies and commitments in regards to its nuclear activities given that the European countries have not kept their promises, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi said in Tehran on Sunday - 6/20/04 Islamists Won't Blow Down the House of Saud Their survival is good news for us, the global economy, and the Islamic world. -Afshin Molavi, MSN - 6/20/04 Iranian Oil Minister says consumers satisfied with global oil prices Iran's Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh said in Tehran on Saturday that the world's major crude oil consumers are satisfied with dlrs 30 to dlrs 34 price range for each barrel of crude oil - 6/20/04 IMF foresees 6.5% GDP growth rate for Iran International Monetary Fund foresees real growth in Iran's gross domestic product (GDP) which is expected to stand at 6.5 percent in 2004-05 coupled with relatively strong showings by a majority of sectors - 6/20/04 Concealed fault caused Bam quake The devastating earthquake at Bam, Iran, in 2003 was caused by the rupture of a rare, hidden fault that is invisible at the surface, experts say. -BBC - 6/19/04 Iran's first appearance in Asian cricket competitions was short-lived Iran experienced its first appearance in the Asian Cricket Championships in Malaysia with two consecutive losses, making an embarrassing exit Saturday. - 6/19/04 Europe's leaders clinch historic deal EU leaders last night finally clinched their historic agreement on a first Europe-wide constitution on terms allowing Tony Blair to declare that Britain's national interests had been preserved and fear of a "federal superstate" banished. -Guardian - 6/19/04 Iran pressed to meet demands of nuclear body The international community continued to press Iran to disclose full details about its nuclear programmes yesterday when the International Atomic Energy Agency condemned its delaying tactics and deplored its unsatisfactory responses to 15 months of inquiry. -Guardian - 6/19/04 Kazakhstan to build two oil terminals in Iran The Kazakh national oil and gas company "KazMuniaGaz" and its "Kaznafta" company have agreed to build two oil terminals in Iran - 6/19/04 Iran footballer mistress to hang The mistress of an Iranian football star has been sentenced to death by hanging for murdering his wife. -BBC - 6/19/04 Southern Iranian city of Lali in Khuzestan province hit by quake An earthquake measuring 3.5 degrees on the Richter scale once again hit the city of Lali, in the southern province of Khuzestan, on Friday night. - 6/19/04 Iran to review uranium suspension Iran's top nuclear official says they will reconsider their voluntary suspension of uranium enrichment after being censured by the UN atomic agency. -BBC - 6/19/04 US Praises IAEA for Strong Resolution on Iranian Nuclear Cooperation The U.S. Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency says the agency's resolution censuring Iran for cover-ups in its nuclear program reflects deep international concerns about Tehran's nuclear program and shows the need for more inspections. -VOA - 6/19/04 IAEA Board Adopts Resolution on Nuclear Safeguards in Iran Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in the Islamic Republic of Iran: Resolution adopted by the Board on 18 June 2004 - 6/18/04 Zoroastrians make Iran pilgrimage Members of Iran's dwindling Zoroastrian community are making their annual pilgrimage to the temple in the rocky mountain of Chakchak. -BBC - 6/18/04 Help Get Out the Iranian-American Vote! As part of our 2004 Election Project, the National Iranian American Council is launching its National Voter Registration Campaign. NIAC's National Voter Registration Campaign is one of the most significant expressions of our vision to transform the community into a viable political force. - 6/18/04 IAEA Adopts Resolution Criticizing Iran The International Atomic Energy Agency has adopted a tough resolution, rebuking Iran for concealing the full extent of its nuclear program. -VOA - 6/18/04 Iran stands second at world junior taekwondo meet Iran finished runner-up to the home team South Korea in the World Junior Taekwondo Championship Thursday. - 6/18/04 Iran's soccer team defeats Lebanon 4-0 Skipper Ali Daei hit his hat-trick to help Iran thrash the Lebanese side 4-0 in the third West Asian Football Federation Championship, 2004 Saiwan Cup, in Tehran on Thursday. - 6/18/04 Congress addresses selective treatment of Europeans with Iranian and Middle Eastern backgrounds The House Committee on International Relations Subcommittee on International Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Human Rights convened on Wednesday to examine the status of the Visa Waiver Program and its implication on United States national security and counter-terrorism efforts. -NIAC - 6/18/04 Russia says never bows to pressures on nuclear deal with Iran Head of Russian Atomic Energy Agency Alexander Rumyantsev said here on Friday that Russia will never bow to foreign pressure to stop nuclear cooperation with Iran. - 6/18/04 EU leaders call for closer ties with Iran Leaders of the 25-member EU called Friday for closer relations between Iran and the European bloc. - 6/18/04 Bacon triptych emerges from Tehran storeroom A major triptych by Francis Bacon is about to see the light after languishing for more than 30 years in the store of the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art. -Guardian - 6/18/04 Iran Threatens To Restart Uranium Enrichment In Crisis With IAEA Iran is raising the stakes as it seeks to fend off a drive by three Western powers to get the UN's nuclear agency to rebuke it for poor cooperation with arms inspectors. -RFE - 6/18/04 Iran defiant over nuclear censure "There is a very deep pessimism about the intentions of the [IAEA] about Iran policies," says Elahe Koulaiei, a former member of Iran's parliamentary foreign affairs and national security committee, now teaching at Tehran University. "What is very important is building confidence, from inside Iran and outside. [We must] conclude this and remove all ambiguities." -CSM - 6/18/04 US Backs Away For Calls for UN Security Council Debate on Iran's Nuclear Program Some Iranian analysts say that any possible move to bring Iran’s nuclear program before the UN Security Council would be viewed as a hostile act by virtually all of Iran’s factions, galvanizing opinion in Tehran behind an effort to produce nuclear weapons. Thus, such a move could do more to accelerate Iran’s drive to obtain a bomb than to hamper such activities. -Eurasianet - 6/18/04 Quake shakes devastated Bam An earthquake measuring 4 degrees on the Richter scale hit the ancient city of Bam in the southeastern Iranian province of Kerman Thursday. - 6/18/04 US Backs European Resolution on Iran's Nuclear Program The United States will support a European resolution in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) calling for a step-up of the U.N. agency's investigation of Iran's nuclear program. U.S. officials again Thursday accused Iran of trying to conceal nuclear activities from the IAEA. -VOA - 6/18/04 UN raps Iran over nuclear stance Iran has been sharply rebuked by the United Nations atomic agency for failing to co-operate fully with an inquiry into its nuclear activities. -BBC - 6/18/04 Families of MKO members gather in front of French embassy in Tehran Families of members of the Terrorist Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO) on Wednesday gathered in front of the French embassy in Tehran and called for release of their relatives from Iraq - 6/18/04 Nuclear agency admits Iran error The UN atomic energy agency has admitted wrongly reporting that Iran withheld information from it. -BBC - 6/17/04 Future not looking so bright for Iran's "fire worshippers" In the burning desert north of this ancient Iranian city, the the Islamic republic's last followers of the Zoroastrian religion are making their annual pilgrimage to the temple of Chak-Chak. -AFP - 6/17/04 Khatami: Iran not for stopping cooperation with IAEA and EU President Mohammad Khatami said on Wednesday that Iran has not made a decision to discontinue cooperation with Europe and the nuclear watchdog. - 6/17/04 Stymied in Iraq, Hawks Still Positioning US as Globocop Although their hopes for transforming Iraq into a pro-U.S. base in the heart of the Arab world have been badly set back, neo-imperial hawks in the Bush administration are proceeding as fast as possible to reinvent U.S. forces worldwide as ''globocop'', capable of pre-empting any possible threat to its interests at a moment's notice. -Common Dreams - 6/17/04 US-Iran row heats up While the US media focused on fresh violence in Iraq ahead of the June 30 power transfer and the capture of an American contractor by militants in Saudi Arabia, the smoldering row between the US and Iran intensified Wednesday. -CSM - 6/17/04 Iran: Atomic agency declares nuclear winter This week the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will, after several days of talks, likely issue a critical report on Iran's nuclear program that, in turn, will exacerbate the tensions between the government of Iran and the United Nations nuclear watchdog -Asia Times - 6/17/04 Kabul tunes into capital pursuits Afghans and expats are enjoying a mini revolution in media, dining ... even cricket -Guardian - 6/17/04 Iran Sends Confusing Signals in Tit for Tat Marine Actions A series of escalating spats in the Gulf waters between Iran, on one hand, and the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman, on the other, has cast a large shadow over relations between these countries. -IPS - 6/17/04 Sadr tells militia to stand down, says he will form political party The turbulent young cleric who fomented the biggest rebellion yet against American forces in Iraq is preparing for a dramatic career change. -Chicago Tribune - 6/17/04 EU leaders seek closer ties with Iran Leaders of the 25-member EU are to call for closer relations between Iran and the European bloc during their summit in Brussels on Thursday and Friday. - 6/17/04 Iran: Hundreds of students gather in front of Bushehr power plant to protest US policies Hundreds of university and theological students from this southern province here Wednesday gathered in front of Bushehr nuclear power plant to protest the double standard policies of the US and European states. - 6/17/04 Iran ranks second in providing asylum to refugees: UNHCR The top five asylum countries in 2003 were Pakistan (1.1 million); Iran (985,000); Germany (960,000); Tanzania (650,000); and the United States (452,500), said a UNHCR report received in Islamabad. - 6/17/04 Conference: Harem: Perception and Reality of Life in Ottoman and Qajar Courts Fourth Annual International Qajar Studies Association (IQSA) Conference, co-sponsored by the departments of Philosophy, History and Political Science at SBCC and the Center for Middle East Studies at UCSB, will be held on Friday and Saturday, July 23-24, 2004 at Santa Barbara City College - 6/17/04 Swing States: Where the Iranian-American vote counts the most “Swing states,” on the other hand, are states that do not steadily vote for one of the two major national political parties. Because of their mixed voting history, swing states are the electoral battlegrounds where campaigns are won. -NIAC - 6/17/04 IAEA Moving Forward With Draft to Rebuke Iran The U.S. envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency has rejected Iran's threats to limit cooperation with international nuclear inspectors, saying the intimidation tactic shows Tehran has nuclear secrets it wants to hide. -VOA - 6/17/04 There is so much music that takes place in Tehran! My dose of musical pleasures has been quite high these last few weeks. First I had the pleasure to hear Mr. AmirYall Arjoumand in Bam when we met them after the ceremony where he, Ms. Assadi, Mr. Ghafarian and others had performed in Arke Bam, on the eve of Prophet Mohammad’s birthday, in the presence of the mayor, Mr. Bagheri-Zadeh. -Syma Sayyah, Tehran - 6/17/04 Iran takes on west's control of oil trading Iran is to launch an oil trading market for Middle East and Opec producers that could threaten the supremacy of London's International Petroleum Exchange. -Guardian - 6/16/04 Tackling Iran's heroin habit Iran has the highest proportion of heroin addicts in the world and a growing Aids problem. In a country where discussing sex, drugs and Aids is taboo, two doctors tackle the stigma and help those who are suffering. -BBC - 6/16/04 Iranian journalist Mostafa Sabti released at the end of his prison sentence Mostafa Sabti, editor of the Iranian weekly Gorgan-e emrouz, arrested on 19 March 2004 and sentenced to three months in prison for defamation, as well as four months suspended, was released on 14 June after serving his sentence. -RSF - 6/16/04 Science and Arts Foundation launches Bam SchoolNet website SAF has launched the Bam SchoolNet website, which describes in detail SAF’s current range of extracurricular school activities in the earthquake devastated town and includes a picture gallery and a video about SAF’s program. - 6/16/04 4th round of Iran-EU talks on human rights held During the conference, Iranian judicial, executive and parliamentary officials and representatives of the European Commission and "troika" as well as academic officials exchanged views on key human rights issues. - 6/16/04 Iran's energy production up 11% in 2003 Iran's combined oil and gas production rose by 11 percent to 262.2 million tons oil equivalent (toes) last year, according to BP's latest annual Statistical Review. - 6/16/04 Attack on Iranian fishermen by Qatari forces denounced Armed Forces Headquarters Deputy Chief for Defense and Cultural Affairs Brigadier General Ali-Reza Afshar here Tuesday evening denounced the attack Friday by Qatari naval forces of an Iranian fishing vessel which killed one and injured four others. - 6/16/04 Iraqi Neighbors Give Key Support to Interim Government Iraq's neighbors, Iran, Turkey, Syria, as well as a leading Arab power, Egypt, declared their support for Iraq's new interim government. Western diplomats say it remains unclear to what extent, if at all, Tuesday's declaration of support from the neighboring countries will help curb insurgency in Iraq. -VOA - 6/16/04 US accuses Iran of 'bullying' UN The US has accused Iran of bullying foreign diplomats, in an escalating row over Tehran's nuclear ambitions. -BBC - 6/16/04 Iran: Quake hits Bam suburbs in Kerman province A mild earthquake measuring 3.6 degrees on the Richter scale hit suburbs of the ancient, quake-stricken city of Bam in southeastern Kerman province Wednesday morning. - 6/16/04 Iran Denies Report of Troop Buildup on Iraq border Iran's state-run news agency IRNA quotes what it calls "an informed source" as denying a report in a Saudi-owned newspaper that says Iranian troops are massing on the border with Iraq. - 6/16/04 Iran threatens to back away from nuclear commitments Iran's president warned that the Islamic republic could back away from key commitments over its nuclear programme if the UN atomic energy watchdog adopted a harsh European-drafted resolution. -AFP - 6/16/04 Basra rejects Sadr's Arab nationalism When Moqtada al-Sadr,the radical Shia Muslim cleric, recently called ademonstration in Basra on the dayof school exams, his representative was told not to cause trouble. -Financial Times - 6/16/04 Iran "getting close" to trial of al Qaeda suspects Hossein Mousavian, secretary of the foreign policy committee of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, described the suspects as middle-ranking al Qaeda members and said they were still being questioned in jail. -Reuters - 6/16/04 Pirouz Mojtahed-Zadeh: EU-GCC resolution main source of encouragement for attack on Iranian fishing boat in Persian Gulf Clearly the EU-GCC resolution of 19 May 2004 was the main source of encouragement for Abu Dhabi to commit the armed assault on the Iranian boat in the territorial waters of Abu Musa on Thursday June 3rd 2004, in spite of the fact that Abu Musa's territorial waters are under joint Iranian-Sharjah Sovereignty. - 6/16/04 Foreign Minister: Iran's decision subject to IAEA's meeting results Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said here Wednesday that Iran's decision on nuclear issue is subject to the negotiations and results of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) meeting. - 6/16/04 Breaking codes: An impossible task? Recent reports that the United States had broken codes used by the Iranian intelligence service have intrigued experts on cryptology because a modern cipher should be unbreakable. -BBC - 6/16/04 Iran: Bushehr's first reactor to be launched in 2005 - Russian official Russia's Federal Atomic Energy Agency believes that the International Atomic Energy Agency is not against the Bushehr nuclear power plant construction project in Iran. - 6/15/04 Iran feels heat of IAEA criticism European powers have drafted a new resolution for the UN nuclear watchdog that rebukes Iran but refrains from directly threatening sanctions. -BBC - 6/15/04 Iraq Neighbors Wait for Stability Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said recently that the departure of the U.S.-led coalition authority in Iraq could pave the way for improved relations with Syria, Turkey, and Iran. -VOA - 6/15/04 Human rights activist says war hurts efforts Shirin Ebadi, the first Muslim woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, says the Bush administration has made her work of promoting democracy and human rights harder by invading Iraq. -USA Today - 6/15/04 Iran's Khatami warns about future nuke cooperation President Mohammad Khatami has warned Europe's three big powers that Iran's future cooperation with U.N. nuclear inspectors may be at risk if criticism of Tehran's nuclear programme persists, newspapers said on Tuesday. -Reuters - 6/15/04 Parliament Speaker calls on EU big three not to decide for Iran Iran's Parliament Speaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-e Adel on Tuesday called on Germany, Britain and France not to decide for Iran's Majlis (Parliament) - 6/15/04 Iran Rejects Criticism of its Cooperation on Nuclear Issues Iran's Foreign Minister has rejected claims that his government is not adequately cooperating with U.N. nuclear inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency. -VOA - 6/15/04 EU Foreign Ministers To Discuss Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan European Union foreign ministers -- meeting today in Luxembourg -- will focus their discussions on the situation in Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Middle East. -RFE - 6/15/04 Quakes hit northern Iranian cities of Takestan and Torbat Heidariyeh An earthquake measuring 3.9 degrees on the open-ended Richter scale hit the city of Takestan in Qazvin province, north of Iran, early Tuesday. - 6/15/04 More poison alcohol deaths in southern Iran bring toll to 22 Twenty-two Iranians have died and 93 others have been hospitalised with poisoning after drinking adulterated alcohol bought on the black market in the southern Iranian city of Shiraz, according to a new toll released. -AFP - 6/15/04 Iran 'failing to come clean on weapons' The UN's chief nuclear inspector, Mohamed ElBaradei, voiced his exasperation yesterday at the slow pace of the international inquiry into Iran's nuclear programme. -Guardian - 6/15/04 US chides Iran over nuclear plans A White House spokesman said Washington had "serious concerns" about Iran's nuclear programme - and these were shared by the international community. -BBC - 6/15/04 Iraq abuse 'ordered from the top' The US commander at the centre of the Iraqi prisoner scandal says she was told to treat detainees like dogs. -BBC - 6/15/04 Jozyari gives Iran third world taekwondo silver Babak Jozyari won Iran's third silver medal at the World Junior Taekwondo Championships in South Korea Tuesday. - 6/15/04 Anti-American sentiment growing among the Kurds In the days since the UN Security Council passed a resolution governing the restoration of Iraqi sovereignty that has no overt mention of Kurdish concerns, something has been brewing in the streets here that was unheard of just a few weeks ago: anti-American sentiment. -Chicago Tribune - 6/15/04 Memos Spark Concerns That Bush Trying to Skirt Torture Laws During a recent Supreme Court argument, the justices pressed a Bush administration lawyer to explain just how far the president's claim of sweeping powers over accused terrorists could go. -Common Dreams - 6/15/04 Iran, France to manufacture TB case finding kit Pulmonary and extra-pulmonary TB case finding test kit is to be manufactured by Iran's Pasteur Institute and the French company, Anda, it was announced in Tehran on Monday. The test which has been found out by the Iranian researchers, for the first time in the world, diagnoses TB mycobacteria within 1-2 hours. - 6/15/04 Court rejects Iran hostage claim The US Supreme Court has thrown out a lawsuit against Iran worth $33bn on behalf of Americans taken hostage during the 1979 Islamic Revolution. -BBC - 6/15/04 My visit to Iranian Student Group's Second Annual Culture Show at UCLA Kayvan Iradjpanah, one of UCLA’s Iranian Student Group’s leaders contacted me by email to personally invite me to their Second Annual Culture Show. He had been on our student group’s ( Iranian Student Alliance in America) email list and was fond of our activities and thought I would be interested in seeing what they were up to at UCLA. -Pouya Alimagham - 6/14/04 Iran: Ebadi informed of date of court session on Zahra Kazemi's case The Public Relations Department of Tehran's Justice Department said on Monday that the time of court session for examination of the case of the late photojournalist Zahra Kazemi, had been personally notified to Shirin Ebadi, the lawyer of the family of late Kazemi. - 6/14/04 U.S. Wary as Iran Works to Increase Influence in Iraq With the occupation of Iraq due to end in three weeks, the Bush administration fears that Iran will move in as a major player after months of quietly building networks among Iraqi politicians and religious circles, according to U.S. officials in Washington and Baghdad. -Washington Post - 6/14/04 Iran-Turkey trade exchanges to double in 2004 The volume of Tehran-Ankara trade exchanges will reach five billion dollars by the end of the current year. - 6/14/04 ElBaradei: It is not possible to set a deadline for Iran's nuclear activities Speaking to reporters after the opening session of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, he said Iran's issue is not a political one and in case the country exercises full and speedy cooperation with IAEA's inspectors, the dossier would be closed. - 6/14/04 Iran embarks on consultations with European partners over draft nuclear resolution, spokesman Iran has launched consultations with three European partners over the draft resolution the three big European states presented to the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) over Iranian nuclear program. - 6/14/04 Iran's Haddadi sets new Asian discus record Ehsan Haddadi is an honor to Iran as he won the discus gold and set a new record in the 11th Asian Junior Athletic Tournament in Ipoh, Malaysia on Monday. - 6/14/04 Nazari wins Iran's second silver at world taekwondo meet Reza Nazari gave Iran the second silver medal as he stood second in the 5th World Junior Taekwondo Championships in South Korea Monday - 6/14/04 U.S. pushes Europe to get tougher on Iran nuke plans Washington is pressuring France, Germany and Britain to toughen their draft resolution rebuking Iran for lax cooperation with the U.N. nuclear watchdog, whose board will vote on the text this week, diplomats said. -Reuters - 6/14/04 Retired Officials Say Bush Must Go A group of 26 former senior diplomats and military officials, several appointed to key positions by Republican Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, plans to issue a joint statement this week arguing that President George W. Bush has damaged America's national security and should be defeated in November. -Common Dreams - 6/14/04 Kurd Unrest Spreads to Syria Kurds within Syria are beginning to demand increasing recognition in the face of the autonomy enjoyed by Kurds within Iraq. Kurds number about 1.5 million in a Syrian population of 17 million. -IPS - 6/14/04 Death toll from poison alcohol binge in Iran climbs to 17 The death toll from the consumption of a consignment of adulterated alcohol bought on the black market in the southern Iranian city of Shiraz has risen to 17, a provincial justice official said. -AFP - 6/14/04 In the shadow of Babylon The collapse of the Tower of Babel is perhaps the central urban myth. It is certainly the most disquieting. In Babylon, the great city that fascinated and horrified the Biblical writers, people of different races and languages, drawn together in pursuit of wealth, tried for the first time to live together - and failed. -Guardian - 6/14/04 Hundreds of Iranians hold a march against child labor in Tehran Hundreds of people gathered in the Laleh Park downtown Tehran to demonstrate against the exploitation of minors on the World Day against Child Labor. - 6/13/04 Despite lack of results, EU keeps up human rights talks with Iran The European Union and Iran are to hold a fourth round of talks on human rights here this week, as EU diplomats admit their efforts to engage the Islamic republic have so far failed to stem widespread abuses. -AFP - 6/13/04 Subway fulfills Iranian dream "Hi, Made-in-China," said an Iranian boy who smiled and waved to us on the platform of the subway station of Emmam Khomeini. We had become familiar with this special greeting for Chinese during our visit to Iran. But we were also often mistaken as Japanese or Koreans because of similar East Asian looks. After taking a subway tour through this massive capital city, we realized why this boy would first think we were Chinese this time. -China Daily - 6/13/04 Iran tourism project to rival Dubai Iran's top foreign investment decision-making body has given the green light to a 1.7 billion euro ($2.0 billion) luxury tourism project on the Gulf island of Kish designed to rival nearby tourism hotspot Dubai. -CNN - 6/13/04 Foreign Minister: No deviation from Iran's peaceful nuclear program Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said in Tehran on Saturday that there is no deviation from Iran's peaceful nuclear program and Tehran will undertake no new commitment to this end. Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said here on Saturday that there is no deviation from Iran's peaceful nuclear program and Tehran will undertake no new commitment to this end. Kharrazi said failure of the peaceful nuclear project of Iran would mean failure of Europe and the IAEA. - 6/13/04 Iran rejects more nuclear curbs Iran says it rejects any new curbs on its nuclear programme and says the world must recognise the country as a nuclear-capable nation. Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said : "Iran has a high technical capability and has to be recognised by the international community as a member of the nuclear club. "This is an irreversible path." -BBC - 6/13/04 Iranian pistachio preserves its place in EU markets European Union and Iranian officials have strongly denied some media speculations on a possible European ban on Iranian pistachio imports due to aflatoxin contamination. - 6/13/04 Iran frees Internet journalist on bail An Iranian journalist, who was detained after he strongly criticised his former conservative political allies, has been allowed free on bail after spending four days in jail. -ABC News - 6/13/04 International Forum On Dialogue Of Cultures In Eurasia Ends A two-day forum on enhancing international stability and intercultural dialogue concluded today in the Kyrgyz resort town of Cholpon-Ata. Participants included the Kyrgyz and Tajik presidents as well as high-ranking officials and scholars from around Eurasia, including Russia, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Turkey, and Pakistan. -RFE - 6/13/04 Iran Khodro to set up service center in Tajikistan Iran Khodro Auto Manufacturing Company is to set up a sales and after-sales service center in the Tajik capital of Dushanbe, it was announced here Saturday. - 6/13/04 Iraq's well-armed Kurds could go their own way Iraq's well-armed Kurds could go their own way -Newsweek - 6/13/04 'Bad alcohol' kills 12 Iranians At least 12 people have died and 20 others are in a critical condition after drinking bad alcohol in the Iranian city of Shiraz, officials say. -BBC - 6/13/04 Iran bars Nobel winner from representing slain photographer's family Iran's hardline judiciary has barred Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi from representing the family of Zahra Kazemi, a Canadian-Iranian photographer who died in custody here, a spokesman for her group said. -AFP - 6/13/04 Secret world of US jails The United States government, in conjunction with key allies, is running an 'invisible' network of prisons and detention centres into which thousands of suspects have disappeared without trace since the 'war on terror' began. -Guardian - 6/13/04 Iran Eyes Sale of ThyssenKrupp Stake Iran is considering selling its remaining 4.5 percent stake in German engineering and steel group ThyssenKrupp AG and has sounded out investment banks about arranging the sale, banking sources said on Friday. -Reuters - 6/13/04 Iran in contact with Iraqi sects An Iranian envoy said Sunday his government has been in contact with Iraqi sects, especially Shiites, and he promised to cooperate with the Iraqi government. -Washington Times - 6/13/04 Iran's impasse: Even dead, Khomeini is still all-powerful Last week the Islamic Republic commemorated the 15th anniversary of the death of its founder and leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. This reflected the continuing symbolic importance of Khomeini and his legacy. -Mahan Abedin, Daily Star - 6/13/04 Iranian dissident Aghajari's case to be re-examined by Tehran court The case of dissident intellectual Hashem Aghajari who was sentenced to capital punishment for blasphemy in a provincial court is to be re-examined in a court in Tehran. - 6/13/04 Iran Says It Helped Counter Terror Iran has made a significant contribution to the war on terror by arresting agents of Osama bin Laden 's al-Qaida terror network, Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said Saturday. -AP - 6/13/04 Interior Minister: Iran's capital not to be changed regardless of possible earthquake Fears arising from predictions that a "big earthquake" could strike the Iranian capital anytime and the suggestion that the Iranian capital be moved to another city is under discussion in the cabinet, said Interior Minister Abdol-Vahed Mousavi Lari here Saturday evening. - 6/13/04 Quake shakes Chalous again A mild temblor measuring 3.3 degrees on the Richter scale hit the southeastern city of Chalous Saturday. - 6/13/04 Human Rights Watch: Europe Needs Tougher Stance on Iran European Union officials should take a much stronger approach in the upcoming EU-Iran human rights dialogue than they have in previous meetings with the Iranian government, Human Rights Watch said today. - 6/11/04 Iranian Journalist imprisoned for online articles Reporters Without Borders called today for the immediate release of Abbas Kakavand, who was imprisoned on 7 June for allegedly disseminating "false news" in articles he wrote for the website gooya.com since February after leaving the conservative newspaper Ressalat. His articles criticised corruption and the political payments received by many conservative leaders. - 6/11/04 Rebuilding Bam, a brick at a time Morteza Anoushiravani jokes when he explains his role as head of Portland’s oft-maligned Bureau of Water Works. Anoushiravani recently used his vacation time to volunteer for the Portland-based relief organization Mercy Corps in Bam, Iran, an ancient Iranian city that was devastated by an earthquake last December. -Portland Tribune - 6/11/04 Victims of recent quake in Iran to be given prefabricated houses Some 7,000 houses were identified as having been completely destroyed by the quake which hit western Mazandaran. - 6/11/04 Quake hits town in southern Fars province of Iran A mild earthquake measuring 3.5 degrees on the Richter scale rocked a suburb of the town of Qir, located southwest of Fars province, for the second time on Friday. - 6/11/04 Iran's pistachio output to decline by 150,000 tons Iran's pistachio output will decline by 150,000 tons this year compared to last year due to unexpected changes in ecological conditions - 6/11/04 Iran Said Interested in Nuclear Parts Iran told a black market supplier it was interested in "tens of thousands" of parts for its covert nuclear program, diplomats said Thursday, as the U.N. atomic watchdog prepared to rebuke Tehran for hindering an agency probe of its activities. -AP - 6/11/04 Top US general in Azerbaijan for military cooperation talks The second most senior US general in Europe has visited the oil-rich former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan for talks on expanding military cooperation between the two countries. -AFP - 6/11/04 The Silence Between Two Thoughts In your darker moments, you might have wondered what it is like to be buried alive, or perhaps bricked up in a dark alcove, oxygen and hope inexorably running out. -Guardian - 6/11/04 Torture Victims Sue U.S. Security Companies Lawyers for Iraqis tortured while in U.S. custody have sued two private security companies for allegedly abusing prisoners to extract information from them with the goal of winning more contracts from the U.S. government. -Common Dreams - 6/11/04 Iraq jail dog scare 'was policy' US military dog handlers at Baghdad's Abu Ghraib prison say they were ordered to use their animals to intimidate detainees, according to media reports. -BBC - 6/11/04 Iran protests to Canada over death of Iranian-Canadian Iran officially protested to Canada after the authorities in British Columbia concluded that a policeman acted in self defense when he shot and killed an Iranian-Canadian teenager last year. -AFP - 6/11/04 Kerry surges ahead of Bush in national poll But results in key marginal states paint bleaker picture for Democrats' presidential challenger -Guardian - 6/11/04 Iraqi Kurds Threatening To Walk Away From Government Iraqi Kurds are hanging all of their hopes for autonomy on the country's interim constitution, the so-called Transitional Administrative Law. -RFE - 6/11/04 Iran Demands Changes to IAEA Text on Nuclear Aims "The draft reflects American and some European countries' stances," Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Hassan Rohani told Iranian state television on Friday. "If the board does not make necessary changes, it means the Europeans are ignoring their commitments," Rohani said before the meeting of the 35-nation IAEA board. "It will influence Iran's decision (on cooperation)." -Reuters - 6/11/04 Iran vows not to budge from its right to pursue nuclear energy "No official in a country like Iran will ever dare deprive his own people from the benefits of this decisive technology and, more significantly, from an important science to which they have a right," Rafsanjani said in his Tehran Friday Prayer sermon. - 6/11/04 Interview with Noam Chomsky Yesterday, you received the Carl von Ossietzky Prize for your lifework (congratulations) as someone criticizing US foreign policy, but also for your research work concerning the function of the media in democratic societies. Together with Edward Herman you have developed an analytical framework that tries to explain the performance of the mainstream media in the US... -ZNet - 6/11/04 Russia has no reason to halt nuclear cooperation with Iran: Putin Russia sees no reason to halt its nuclear cooperation with Iran despite joining a joint Group of Eight call for the Islamic republic to address concerns about its atomic program, according to President Vladimir Putin -AFP - 6/11/04 'They want us to emigrate' Thanks to Makhmalbaf and Kiarostami, Iranian cinema is acclaimed around the world. But can its film-makers survive Iran's new conservative censors? Dan de Luce investigates -Guardian - 6/10/04 Student Commencement Address: I dare say that I also have a dream When I was seven, my parents and I fled Iran during the war with Iraq and moved to France. I distinctly remember my first day of school. I was informed (through gestures) that I needed something in which to carry all my books… Puzzled, I told my Dad what had happened, but he didn’t seem to understand either. -Katayoun Deljoui, University of Maryland - 6/10/04 Film: Alexander is coming Oliver Stones movie is seen as the most expensive and ambitious project about the historical conqueror. Unlike the previous film, it will tell the story of Alexander with the conquest of the Persian Empire, and Darius The Third will be cast by Israeli star Raz Degan. -Darius Kadivar - 6/10/04 UN agency to rap Iran over nuclear program but keep cooperating: diplomats The UN atomic agency will rap Iran for hiding sensitive atomic activities but not provoke a showdown over Tehran's alleged secret weapons program when the agency meets in Vienna next week, diplomats said. -AFP - 6/10/04 Iran rejects 'irrational' G8 statement about its nuclear program Iran denounced Thursday the 'irrational and unrealistic' stance of the Group of Eight most industrialized nations on Tehran's nuclear capacity after the group rebuked the country for allegedly failing to fully disclose its nuclear program. - 6/10/04 Iran-built plane to join aviation fleet by year's end Head of Defense Industries Organization Colonel Hossein Alaei said here Iran-manufactured plane, 'Iran-140', is to join the national aviation fleet by the end of the current Iranian year - 6/10/04 Lizard director stays with religion An Iranian director whose film has been banned in his home country for its portrayal of the country's clergy has said he plans to make more movies about religion. -BBC - 6/10/04 Soccer: Iran slip-up while Japan, China and South Korea ease on Iran, who reached the the finals in 1978 and 1998, went down to a 1-0 defeat to Group One rivals Jordan in Tehran where Haytham Al-Shboul grabbed the winner seven minutes from time. -AFP - 6/10/04 UN slams Canada over assassin A United Nations committee has accused Canada of "flouting" international human rights rules when it deported a member of the Iranian government's foreign assassinations branch. -National Post, Canada - 6/10/04 Could Islamic Militants Bring Down Saudi Arabia's Royal Family? With militant attacks in Saudi Arabia intensifying, experts are comparing the situation there to the foment in Iran prior to the 1979 Islamic Revolution. But is the situation really so dramatic? -RFE - 6/10/04 Did Iran Use Chalabi to Lure U.S. into Iraq? The Bush administration's disenchantment with its onetime favorite Iraqi client, Ahmad Chalabi (search), has centered on the explosive allegation that he and his associates may have forwarded highly classified U.S. information to the Islamist government in Iran. -Fox News - 6/10/04 G8 launches Mid-East reform plan World leaders at the G8 summit endorsed a watered-down version of a US proposal on democratic and economic reforms in the Middle East and North Africa. -BBC - 6/10/04 Iran: Government approves 1.2 trillion rials for Bam reconstruction - daily Head of the Islamic Revolution's Housing Foundation Mohammad Saedikia said in a press conference on Wednesday that four banks have been tasked with gathering loans to the quake-hit-residents of the once tourist city, reported 'Iran Daily'. - 6/10/04 US wins one-year freeze on nuclear sales World leaders at the G8 summit yesterday backed a plan for further restrictions on the sale of nuclear technologies in an effort to prevent atomic weapons falling into the hands of terrorists or rogue states. -Guardian - 6/10/04 No longer their parents’ Iran When Kayvon and Sassan Mesbah of Oyster Bay Cove visited their parents' birth country of Iran last summer, they were impressed. "The culture is very lively and interesting," said Kayvon, 13. "... The new generation was becoming more westernized. It's evolving from what it's been since the Islamic revolution." -Ramin Ganeshram, Newsday - 6/10/04 Iranians in America: More than an expression of culture My opinions may not come from a lot of experience or expertise, but I think I know the Iranian or least Iranian-American experience fairly well. Ok, I can definitely say I am deeply acquainted with the latter, despite my efforts to keep my identity ethnically neutral. -Najid Abimi, Berkeley - 6/10/04 Private sector to build Iran's biggest tourist resort Iran's biggest tourist resort is to be constructed in the vicinity of Karkheh Dam in the southern city of Andimeshk in Khuzestan province, said a local official on Wednesday. - 6/10/04 HRW urges EU to pressure Iran on human rights Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged the European Union (EU) to put pressure on the Iranian authorities to make further improvements in human rights by abandoning the torture and ill-treatment of detainees, and to restore freedom of expression in the country. -IRIN - 6/9/04 IEA seeks cooperation with Iran on gas supply The International Energy Agency (IEA) is discussing with Iran for supply of gas to Europe, said Claude Mandil, IEA Executive Director . - 6/9/04 Renault banks on ø,000 euro" car to motor growth Chairman Louis Schweitzer said a "conservative target" would be to sell 700,000 vehicles a year by 2010, with production starting in Russia, Morocco, Colombia next year and Iran and probably China after that. -Reuters - 6/9/04 Security council vote backs transfer of Iraq sovereignty George Bush and Tony Blair both welcomed the vote as the beginning of a new era of international consensus over Iraq. The final text reflected substantial concessions to France, Germany and Russia, but the passage of the resolu tion gives, for the first time, a stamp of international approval to the US-led force in Iraq. -Guardian - 6/9/04 Volume of goods transited via Iran grows by 52 percent in first 2 months The volume of goods transited via Iranian soil grew by 52 percent in terms of weight during the first two months of the current Iranian year (started March 20, 2004), Iran Customs Office said in Tehran on Wednesday. - 6/9/04 Russia Qualifies Its Nuclear Cooperation with Iran Russia on Tuesday refused to halt plans to build a nuclear reactor for Iran but, in the face of U.S. pressure, said Tehran must meet international calls for openness about its nuclear program. -Reuters - 6/9/04 Iran: EC Chief calls for true image of Islam to promote human rights Expediency Council (EC) Chief Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani in a meeting with Saudi Arabia's Judiciary Chief Abdullah al al-Sheikh in Tehran on Wednesday said that Iran could be the major promoter of human rights by eliminating the formalities and presenting a true image of pure Islam. - 6/9/04 Iran ready to despatch work force to Malaysia Iran's Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Nasser Khaleqi said on Wednesday that the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to dispatch work force to Malaysia. - 6/9/04 Shiites of Iraq They've been systematically repressed for decades. Now Iraq's majority Muslim sect prepares to play a powerful role in a chaotic, post-Saddam world. -National Geographics - 6/9/04 Reagan played decisive role in Saddam Hussein's survival in Iran-Iraq war As Americans mourn the passing of president Ronald Reagan , almost forgotten is the decisive part his administration played in the survival of Iraq 's president Saddam Hussein through his eight year war with Iran. -AFP - 6/9/04 IAEA Draft Criticizes Iran's Lack of Nuclear Cooperation A tough European resolution deploring Iran's level of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is making the diplomatic rounds before a major executive meeting of the U.N. nuclear watchdog next week. Melanie Sully reports from the IAEA headquarters in Vienna. -VOA - 6/9/04 Rocking the Cradle In Iran, an archaeologist is racing to uncover a literate Bronze Age society he believes predates ancient Mesopotamia. Critics say he may be overreaching, but they concede his dig will likely change our view of the dawn of civilization -Smithsonian - 6/9/04 Good Governance and Human Security in the Caspian Region Lecture Presented at the Conference on: Caucus, Caspian and Central Asia: Maritime Dimensions of Security May 14-16, 2004. Center for Foreign Policy Studies, Dalhousie University Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada -Hooshang Amirahmadi - 6/9/04 EU Continues Human Rights Talks With Iran, Despite Lingering Nuclear Concerns European Union officials say they will hold another round of low-level human rights talks with Iran next week. Meanwhile, EU foreign ministers meeting next week are likely to put off deciding whether to resume trade talks with the country. -RFE - 6/9/04 Women's Gains at Risk in Iran's New Parliament Iran's new parliament, sworn in two weeks ago, has nine female legislators, down from 13 in the previous body. Women throughout the country are watching this mix of mostly conservative legislators' approach to women's rights. -Women's eNews - 6/8/04 Iran ranks second at world university Greco-Roman wrestling meet Iran stood second at the sixth World University Greco-Roman Wrestling Championship in Poland Monday. - 6/8/04 Iran to field women skaters at Asian event Two women will represent Iran in the Asian Skating Championship, which is to be held from June 12-16 in Okida, Japan. - 6/8/04 Support grows for new Iraq draft France and Germany have said they will back the latest draft resolution on Iraq's future when the UN Security Council votes on it later in the day. -BBC - 6/8/04 Clarke: More Reasons to Invade Iran Than Iraq It would have made more sense to invade Iran than Iraq , says a former U.S. counterterrorism adviser who has already accused the Bush administration of being soft on terrorism and wasting resources by attacking Iraq. -Reuters - 6/8/04 Pentagon Report Set Framework For Use of Torture Bush administration lawyers contended last year that the president wasn't bound by laws prohibiting torture and that government agents who might torture prisoners at his direction couldn't be prosecuted by the Justice Department. -WSJ - 6/8/04 Turkey temporarily recalls envoy to Israel amid bilateral spat Turkey has temporarily recalled its ambassador to Tel Aviv for consultations following sharp exchanges with Israel, its main regional ally, over bloody violence in the occupied territories, a Turkish official said. -AFP - 6/8/04 Author Finds That With Fame Comes Image Management In one whirlwind year, Azar Nafisi has found herself drawn further and further into the maddening, seductive fold of American success. She has gone from unknown academic émigré to literary celebrity with the startling commercial success of "Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books," about life and literature under the Islamic government in Iran. -NY Times - 6/8/04 Swimming against the tide That meeting was in Washington, at Zahedi's official residence as Iran's ambassador to America. Later, he added with undisguised sadness that there was little chance that Reagan would win the Republican Party's presidential nomination, let alone flush President Jimmy Carter out of the White House. -New York Post - 6/8/04 US trade pact with Central Asian countries seen as unlikely to yield immediate benefits The United States signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement with five Central Asian nations last week that raised hopes of an increase in exports from the region. The five countries - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan... -IRIN - 6/8/04 Iranian movie director wins Praemium Imperiale prize Iranian film director Abbas Kiarostami this year became the first Islamic recipient of the Praemium Imperiale, a prize awarded by the Japan Art Association. -Japan Times - 6/8/04 A Free Iraq Sends Iran A signal One country that will note the change, says Mr. Bush, is Iran: “It's important for. . .those who love freedom in Iran to see. I mean, listen, a free Iraq on the border of Iran is going to send a very clear signal to those who want to be free -- that a free society is very possible.” -VOA - 6/8/04 Iran's world-famous pistachio under cloud of EU ban over cancer fears European fans of the Iranian pistachio will be able to continue savouring their nibbles for several more months, during which the Islamic republic must ease EU fears over health risks. -AFP - 6/8/04 Iran: Draft bill on civil rights forwarded to parliament "The government has forwarded a draft bill to the Judiciary guaranteeing civil rights of every individual. The Judiciary board approved it to be sent to parliament for debate and take effect after being passed," Elham said. - 6/8/04 Rumours of impending apocalypse jolt Iranian capital Since an earthquake measuring up to 6.1 on the Richter scale jolted the mountains to the north of the shoddy, sprawling city, fears of a looming catastrophe of biblical proportions have set in. -AFP - 6/8/04 German-Iranian trade volume to hit 5b euros in three years: official A German business leader predicted Tuesday that the German-Iranian trade volume could reach 5 billion euros within three years, pointing to the continued economic boom in bilateral trade ties. - 6/8/04 Huge boost in licensed UK sales to Iran The British government issued more than twice as many licenses for sales of strategic exports to Iran last year, boosting the value by more than 50-fold. - 6/8/04 Iran's conservatives scandalised by plans for independent television An Iranian film director has upset the country's conservatives with plans to launch a London-based satellite television channel and serve up a diet of politics from home and movies from Hollywood. -AFP - 6/7/04 Iran's Science Minister says winning world wrestling title honorable Iran was crowned at the 6th World University Freestyle Wrestling Championship in Poland Friday. - 6/7/04 Iraq militias 'agree to disband' A deal is reached for 100,000 fighters to return to civilian life, but the pact does not include Moqtada Sadr's militia. -BBC - 6/7/04 Israel approves Gaza pullout plan Israel's cabinet has approved in principle Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip. -BBC - 6/7/04 UAE says it detained crew of Iranian fishing boat inside its waters The United Arab Emirates (UAE) confirmed it had detained the crew of an Iranian fishing boat, but said the incident occurred after the vessel entered UAE territorial waters. -AFP - 6/7/04 Regional Implications of Shi'a Revival in Iraq The Shi‘a-Sunni competition for power is not just the single greatest determinant of stability in post-Saddam Iraq. The sectarian struggle will have the single greatest influence on the future of peace and stability from South Asia to the Levant. -Washington Quarterly - 6/7/04 Iran: 50 companies in Tehran stock exchange to issue bonds Secretary general of Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE) said here Sunday that over 50 registered companies in the TSE have expressed interest to issue bonds by June 2005. - 6/7/04 Iranian official rules out PGCC statement on Iran's Persian Gulf islands Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi dismissed on Sunday the final statement of the foreign ministers meeting of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (PGCC) concerning Iran's Persian Gulf islands of Abu Moussa and the greater and lesser Tunbs. - 6/7/04 Payam Khashaee Named Outstanding Engineer Payam Khashae a Ph.D. candidate in civil and mechanical engineering, was recently named the 2003 Young Engineer of the Year by the Texas Society of Professional Engineers. -SMU - 6/7/04 Sleepy Iranian town blooms for rosewater season For most of the year Qamsar is a sleepy little town, making a living from its walnut trees and the long-horned goats that live among the crags of the Karkas mountains. -Reuters - 6/7/04 Air pollutants threatening Isfahan ancient bridges A senior expert on renovation of historical relics from Isfahan province Cultural Heritage Department, Mohammad Karim Mottaqi, on Sunday said that air pollutants in the provincial capital city of Isfahan threaten its ancient bridges - 6/7/04 Human Rights Watch: Torture Used to Suppress Dissent in Iran The Iranian government has intensified its campaign of torture, arbitrary arrests, and detentions against political critics, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. Iran’s outgoing reformist parliament in May passed legislation to prohibit torture, but without effective implementation, the law remains an empty gesture. - 6/7/04 Iran stands second at world university taekwondo meet Iran finished runner-up in the eighth World University Taekwondo Championship in Patra, Greece, Saturday. - 6/6/04 Haddad-Adel elected as Iran's parliament speaker for one year The newly-appointed Iranian MPs elected Gholamali Haddad-Adel as parliament speaker for one year on Sunday, making him the first non-cleric to fill the post since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. - 6/6/04 Four Iranians through to world Greco-Roman wrestling semis Four representatives of Iran squeezed into the semifinals of the sixth World University Greco-Roman Wrestling Championship in Poland Saturday. - 6/6/04 Pentagon accused of ignoring CIA evidence of Chalabi's link to Iran Ahmad Chalabi, the leader of the Iraqi National Congress, came under furthe