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Join Us At Today's Iranian Alert Thread – The Most Underreported Story Of The Year!

"If you want on or off this Iran ping list, Freepmail DoctorZin”

Join Us At Today's Iranian Alert Thread – The Most Underreported Story Of The Year!

"If you want on or off this Iran ping list, Freepmail DoctorZin”

Iran rejects Bush call on fighting spread of WMDs (0830 PST)

HiPakistan.com
2.14.2004

TEHRAN: Iran said Friday it favoured the elimination of weapons of mass destruction but criticised US President George W. Bush's call for the international community to strengthen the fight against the spread of such weapons.

Bush "speaks as if the United States should decide for the rest of the world and the international community. We reject this," foreign ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said in a statement received by.

The US president on Wednesday cited Iran when he proposed that countries being investigated for violations of rules of non-proliferation should not be allowed on the governing council of the UN watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

"Those actively breaking the rules should not be entrusted with enforcing the rules," Bush said, in an election-year speech.

Referring to the 1980-1988 war between Iran and neighbouring Iraq, Asefi pointed out that his country, which had been "victim of Iraqi chemical weapons
... favours the elimination of all weapons of mass destruction."

The Iranian spokesman termed Tehran's acquisition of uranian-enrichment technology a "great success" and said "Iran voluntarily accepted total and complete control by the IAEA".

In Rome on Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi insisted that Tehran had a "legitimate right" to nuclear technology for peaceful purposes but denied it had any intention to develop nuclear weapons.

Kharazi was responding to questions from reporters after a senior US official alleged Iran was pursuing a programme to make nuclear weapons.

http://www.hipakistan.com/en/detail.php?newsId=en53940&F_catID=&f_type=source

Iran newspaper cites Kerry memo criticizing U.S. foreign policy

Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST MEDIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Friday, February 13, 2004

According to an article published in the Tehran Times, the office of U.S. Senator and leading Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry sent an email message to the Mehr News Agency. The following is the article as it appeared in English:(1)

"The office of Senator John Kerry, the frontrunner in the Democratic presidential primary in the U.S., sent the Mehr News Agency an email saying that Kerry will try to repair the damage done by the incumbent president if he wins the election. The text of the e-mail follows:

"'As Americans who have lived and worked extensively overseas, we have personally witnessed the high regard with which people around the world have historically viewed the United States. Sadly, we are also painfully aware of how the actions and the attitudes demonstrated by the U.S. government over the past three years have threatened the goodwill earned by presidents of both parties over many decades and put many of our international relationships at risk.

"'It is in the urgent interests of the people of the United States to restore our country's credibility in the eyes of the world. America needs the kind of leadership that will repair alliances with countries on every continent that have been so damaged in the past few years, as well as build new friendships and overcome tensions with others.

"'We are convinced that John Kerry is the candidate best qualified to meet this challenge. Senator Kerry has the diplomatic skill and temperament as well as a lifetime of accomplishments in [the] field of international affairs. He believes that collaboration with other countries is crucial to efforts to win the war on terror and make America safer.

"'An understanding of global affairs is essential in these times, and central to this campaign. Kerry has the experience and the understanding necessary to successfully restore the United States to its position of respect within the community of nations. He has the judgment and vision necessary to assure that the United States fulfills a leadership role in meeting the challenges we face throughout the world.

"'The current Administration's policies of unilateralism and rejection of important international initiatives, from the Kyoto Accords to the Biological Weapons Convention, have alienated much of the world and squandered remarkable reserves of support after 9/11. This climate of hostility affects us all, but most especially impacts those who reside overseas. Disappointment with current U.S. leadership is widespread, extending not just to the corridors of power and politics, but to the man and woman on the street as well.

"'We believe John Kerry is the Democrat who can go toe-to-toe against the current Administration on national security and defense issues. We also remain convinced that John Kerry has the best chance of beating the incumbent in November, and putting America on a new course that will lead to a safer, more secure, and more stable world.'"

http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/breaking_2.html

IAEA report on Iran to be released next week

Saturday, February 14, 2004 - ©2003
IranMania.com

Vienna, Feb 13 (IranMania) – According to Iran’s State News Agency (IRNA) the IAEA is to release its latest report on the Iranian nuclear programs as well as a number of other states next week.

The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) would submit his latest report on the nuclear programs of a number of countries to the IAEA Governing Council members, said the IAEA spokesperson Melisa Fleming in an interview with IRNA.

According to the November Resolution approved by the IAEA Governing Council, the report of the IAEA director General would be discussed in mid-February by the 35 members of the Governing Council, Fleming said. The report would examine the nuclear activities of the Islamic Republic of lran, Libya, North Korea as well as the status of nuclear-fueled power stations of these countries, said Fleming.

El-Baradei`s report would give comment on the level of the cooperation between Iran and the IAEA and the topic of dispatching the UN inspectors to Iran. The report would be debated in a session of the IAEA Governing Council on March 8-10 and decisions would be taken in this regard.

The Governing Council`s next session is hence of high sensitivity, said Fleming. Fleming`s comments came as Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi earlier in the day rejected recent allegations against Iran regarding its nuclear energy activities, stressing that the Islamic Republic is pursuing no plan for production of nuclear weapons.

Kharrazi said Iran is determined to continue cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and that Tehran will cooperate with the IAEA inspectors.

Iran`s foreign minister was speaking in reaction to the remarks by US Under Secretary of State John Bolton in Berlin that Tehran is still continuing a nuclear program. Kharrazi said Iran`s nuclear energy program is meant for civil purposes, and that the Islamic Republic has a legitimate right to promote its nuclear energy technology.

http://www.iranmania.com/News/ArticleView/Default.asp?NewsCode=22538&NewsKind=Current%20Affairs

Iran ready to export nuclear fuel: foreign minister

February 14th, 2004
ABC Online, Australia

Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi says the Islamic Republic is ready to sell nuclear fuel to international buyers.

Iran, which is accused by Washington of secretly developing nuclear arms, has rejected the US claims and insists it will enrich uranium only to the level needed to fuel power stations and not to higher, weapons-grade purity.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran, as a country that has the potential to produce nuclear fuel, is ready to offer (that) fuel to international markets," Mr Kharrazi told the official IRNA news agency at a Tehran airport after a trip to Italy and the Vatican.

Britain, France and Germany last year persuaded Iran to suspend uranium enrichment and accept snap inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a United Nations watchdog.

Iran insists its suspension of uranium enrichment is a temporary goodwill gesture.

Diplomats report Iranian failure to suspend all enrichment-related activities has annoyed France and Britain.

Washington this week upped pressure on Tehran after the IAEA discovered undeclared drawings of centrifuges that can be used to make bomb-grade material.

The US said on Friday it would give Iran more time to disclose its nuclear programs before deciding whether to refer the issue to the UN Security Council, which could impose sanctions.

Western diplomats in Vienna said the drawings showed Tehran had not complied with a demand from the IAEA governing board that it provide a full and truthful account of its entire nuclear program.

Mr Kharrazi pledged Iranian cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog.

"The United States is following its own agenda as it did before and intends to put the agency and its governing council under new pressure," he said.

The IAEA board meets again on March 8.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s1045140.htm

This should be an interesting month or so.

Supposedly Bin Laden is to be captured before 16 Feb. Given President Bush's atypical NONanswer about whether he knew where Bin Laden was or not . . ., perhaps Kim Clement is right and we will have Bin Laden. We should know soon, even if they don't reveal it right away.

Then, in a recent email, there's the cryptic assertion that President Bush will have to deal firmly or sternly with "enemies within." I wonder what that's about.

Anyway--could be a very interesting spring. Here's some excerpts from that email.

March 11

A few months ago, the Spirit awakened me during the early hours of the morning. I looked at my clock and it read 3:11 AM. I tried to go back to sleep but felt the breath of the Spirit and I realized that it was time to pray. During the next few hours, I prayed, walking the streets of our neighborhood. The Spirit said to me, "Take note of the digits on your clock when you first awakened." An unfolding of many thoughts came to me after I heard this. I know these thoughts were for the purpose of me entering into a greater level of prayer and intercession. God told me that March 11, 2004 would be the beginning of an unusual chain of events in the Kingdom of God. He spoke about that day being the unveiling of mysteries and revelations that would affect the following areas over a period of time:

-Political events that will bring a period of peace for the USA

-Hidden agendas exposed and a shaking of terrorist activities in a big way

-Unusual access into secular arenas for the purpose of evangelism

-Medical discoveries that will affect the following diseases: Alzheimer's, Diabetes, Parkinson's, a lung disease, and a rare bone disease

-Unusual spiritual manifestations in spiritually uninhabited places with mass responses due to media coverage of these events

-Kingdom appearances in church meetings

Kingdom Appearances

Instead of regular revival meetings, churches that are hungry for fresh things from God will "tarry" until these Kingdom manifestations actually take place. To "tarry" means to remain in one place, spiritually and geographically, while doing whatever needs to be done in your daily activities, especially placing a demand on prayer. This will bring about unity so that the people are in "one accord" regarding the vision, and specifically about what to expect. This will demand prophetic revelation from the leaders. God will give insight to His leaders in the church regarding what will unfold in the years to come, aside from the second return of Christ.

snip

-March 11 will begin disclosures in political circles, and the President will have to use a firm hand against internal enemies

-Cain will be exposed

[Qx: Curious. I wonder what that means . . . ]

A New Born Generation

Ministries that attempted to "destroy and kill" their brothers because of jealousy, accusation, and hatred, will be banished for a season until they are humble again. Then they will bring forth an "Enoch" move of the Spirit. These "Cain" type leaders will love their sons in the Kingdom and even build huge works honoring them, leaving them an inheritance for future generations.

Genesis 4:16-17 "Then Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the land of Nod on the east of Eden. And Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. And Cain built a city, and called the name of the city after the name of his son - ENOCH."

[Qx: Hmmmm]

----
snip
----

Genesis 4:25-26 "And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and named him Seth, for God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel, whom Cain killed. And as for Seth, to him also a son was born, and he named him Enos. THEN MEN BEGAN TO CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD."

"March 11 - The 'Beginning of the End' of Major Terrorist Leaders and Movements"

Finally, I saw March 11 as the "beginning of the end" of major terrorist leaders and movements. God will bring them out and will display them before the world. Even though there will always be terror, hatred, aversion, and attacks against Christian Nations, there will be a reluctance to use modern methods of attack in such a violent way against this generation of believers and leaders. However, God has a plan to demote them, but that will be revealed later on.

-Kim Clement

http://www.kimclement.com

Iran Gets Support to Join WTO

February 13, 2004
The Washington Times
John Zarocostas

GENEVA -- The United States this week found itself increasingly isolated in opposing Iran's application for membership in the World Trade Organization.

The European Union spearheaded a push to admit Iran at a meeting of the agency's ruling General Council on Wednesday, backed by a cross section of rich and developing countries.

Candidate countries must be given the right of membership "regardless of political considerations," said EU Ambassador Carlo Trojan, who said the organization "fully supports" the application and believes accession would promote economic reforms in Iran.

Other countries that spoke in support of Iran included China, India, Venezuela, Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Switzerland and New Zealand. Tanzania took the floor on behalf of an informal group of developing countries.

Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Peter Allgeier was unmoved by the appeals, refusing to budge from the position taken by the Bush administration since Iran's application for membership was first taken up in May 2001.

"We are reviewing [Iran's request] and there's no change at this point," he said.

Iraqi delegates meanwhile lauded a decision by the global body to honor their country's Jan. 23 application for observer status, which came after months of behind-the-scenes diplomacy by the Bush administration.

The decision sends a "very strong signal to the Iraqi people that the international community has accepted them back and that was essential. It has a big psychological impact," said Ahmad Al-Mukhtar, the head of the Iraqi delegation.

Mr. Allgeier said that by pursuing the request, Iraq "has made clear its commitment to the rule of law and the principles that underlie the WTO."

Canadian Ambassador Sergio Marchi said the trade group had done "the right thing for Iraq, and we hope universality of membership will be the dominant principle." Other statements in support of Iraq came from Australia, Japan, the European Union, Kenya, India and China.

Arab members went along with the consensus decision but none spoke out in support with it.

"We could not agree on a single [Arab] text," a senior Arab diplomat told The Washington Times. The official said most Arab countries did not want to upset Iraq or the United States but did not want to be "too positive."

For a number of years, Arab trade diplomats have objected to the U.S. and Israeli policy of blocking membership requests by Syria and Libya, and a bid for observer status by the 22-member Arab League.

http://washingtontimes.com/world/20040212-112149-6904r.htm

European Parliament Resolution on Iran

February 13, 2004
Europarl
europarl.eu.int

MEPs expressed their regret at the severe setback in efforts towards the establishment of democratic structures in Iran represented by the exclusion of many candidates from the forthcoming parliamentary elections.

In adopting a resolution on Iran, they stated their agreement with the Iranian President and a majority of current members of the Majlis (parliament) that this means the elections cannot be described as free and fair.

Parliament notes that the reform-minded majority in the Majlis has been continually undermined by the unelected Guardian Council, with one third of bills adopted by the Majlis since 2000 having been vetoed by the Council. MEPs express their understanding and respect for the 127 Majlis members who have resigned after the electoral exclusions were announced. They warn that the lack of respect for democratic procedures may lead to a parliament unable to legitimise itself and a weakening of Iran's stance in the international community. It would also affect EU-Iran elections.

MEPs remain convinced that continued dialogue between all the relevant European institutions and Iranian decision-makers, political forces and civil society is more important than ever. They would welcome a more active participation of the Iranian judiciary and the Guardian Council in the EU-Iran human rights dialogue.

Parliament recognises again the positive move made by Iran in signing the Additional Protocol for nuclear material safeguards and hopes this will be ratified before too long. It also calls on the Council and Commission to work on joint activities with Iran to combat drug production in Afghanistan, drug abuse in Iran and illegal transit of drugs through Iran on their way to Europe.

Finally, MEPs call on the Iranian Government to pursue a more active and constructive policy to contribute to conflict resolution in the greater Middle East region.

Motions for res olutions on the elections in Iran
Doc.: B5-0080/2004, B5-0083/2004, B5-0084/2004, B5-0088/2004, B5-0094/2004, B5-0098/2004, B5-0099/2004
Debate: 12.02.2004
Vote: 12.02.2004

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its resolution of 13 December 2001 on the communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on EU relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on Iran,

- having regard to the UNGA Resolution of December 2003 on human rights,

- having regard to the recent report of the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Ambeyi Ligabo, which criticises, in particular, the fact that freedom of expression in Iran has declined considerably in recent years,

- having regard to Rule 50(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. recognising the sovereign right of the Iranian people to choose their constitutional framework,

B. committed to universal values such as the rule of law, respect for human rights and democracy,

C. whereas information on the banning of candidates by the Council of Guardians changes on a daily basis and there are currently still about 75 sitting MPs banned from fighting this general election; whereas, in all cases, the extent of these disqualifications is unprecedented and concerns - among the current members - almost exclusively parliamentarians of the Participation Front, close to President Khatami,

D. emphasising that the right to stand for elections is an essential element of democratic life and that exceptions should therefore be clearly defined under the law, in accordance with internationally accepted democratic standards,

E. restating its continued support for the process of reform in Iran and reaffirming once again its willingness to strengthen political and economic relations between EU and Iran,

F. following with deep concern the political debate in Iran on the procedures governing the establishment of the lists of candidates for the next Parliament,

G. noting that President Khatami, together with Majlis Speaker Karrubi, in a letter to Ayatollah Khamenei finally agreed to hold the elections, but warned that 'the actions of the Guardian Council had diminished competition and would lead to reduced public enthusiasm for voting'; fearing that the public will be further frustrated and alienated from the political class as a whole and that a likely huge abstention rate at the elections will play into the hands of the conservative and backward-oriented forces and will add to the strong dissatisfaction particularly of the younger generation with the lack of political and social progress after 25 years of Islamic Revolution;

H. whereas Iran has the potential to play an important and constructive role in the region;

1. Shares the view of the Iranian President and a majority of Majlis Members that the upcoming elections cannot be described as free and fair, primarily due to the exclusion of many candidates, including acting parliamentarians;

2. Regrets that the efforts towards the establishment of democratic structures have suffered a severe setback as unelected structures have shown themselves to be stronger than those institutions directly legitimated by the people of Iran;

3. Notes that the undermining of the reform-minded majority of the current Majlis by the Guardian Council has been a continuous phenomenon: since 2000, more than one third of all bills ratified by the parliament have been vetoed by the Guardian Council;

4. Expresses its respect and understanding for the resignation of about 127 Members of the Iranian Majlis as a consequence of so many Members being prevented from standing again in the upcoming election on 20 February 2004;

5. Regrets that its wish to send an observer mission to the elections did not materialise because of lack of support from the Iranian side;

6. Warns that the lack of respect for democratic procedures may lead not only to a parliament unable to legitimise itself but also to a weakening of Iran's stance in the international community, which would not leave EU-Iran relations unaffected;

7. Regrets that an election under those circumstances will not be a good example for the already fragile region of the greater Middle East;

8. Remains convinced that a continued dialogue of all relevant European institutions with Iranian decision-makers, different political forces and civil society is more important than ever, inter alia in EP-Majlis relations, and welcomes the intention to set up a separate EP delegation for relations with Iran;

9. Regrets, while acknowledging Iran's participation in the human rights dialogue, the limited scope of this dialogue, insists on a more result-oriented approach with regard to specific topics and calls for broader participation of MEPs in this dialogue;

10. Would welcome a more active participation of the Iranian judiciary and the Guardian Council in the EU-Iran human rights dialogue;

11. Is prepared to identify, in addition to existing cooperation between the EU and Iran, other areas of common concern;

12. Recognises again the positive move made by Iran in signing the Additional Protocol for nuclear material safeguards and hopes that the Majlis will ratify the text within a reasonable deadline;

13. Calls on the Council and the Commission to work on joint activities with Iran to combat drugs production in Afghanistan, drugs abuse in Iran and the illegal transit of drugs through Iran on their way to Europe, and especially to supply Iran with the necessary technical equipment to enable the competent authorities to be more effective; welcomes in this respect Iran's preparedness to share sensitive information;

14. Calls on the Iranian Government to pursue a more active and constructive policy in order to contribute to conflict resolution in the greater Middle East region;

15. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the President and Parliament of Iran.

http://www2.europarl.eu.int/omk/sipade2?PUBREF=-//EP//TEXT+PRESS+DN-20040212-1+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN&LEVEL=2&NAV=S#SECTION3

United States sets Iran March deadline

Deutsche Welle - World News
Feb 14, 2004

The United States has given Iran a deadline to end its nuclear weapons programme. The US State Department said Iran has until a March meeting of the UN International Atomic Energy Agency to comply with promises made late last year.

If Iran is then found not to be in compliance, the United States could urge that the IAEA board refer the matter to the UN Security Council for possible sanctions or other options.

The United States accuses Iran of continuing to hide information on weapons from the IAEA.

http://www.daneshjoo.org/generalnews/article/publish/article_4903.shtml

Regime Anniversary Highlights Divided Society

February 12, 2004
Inter Press Service
Ramin Mostaghim

TEHRAN -- The 25th anniversary of the revolution that ousted the Shah and ushered in Islamic rule has served to highlight deep divisions within Iranian society.

The crowd assembled Wednesday for the country's main observances at Azadi, or "Freedom", Square near the capital's international airport had been bussed in specifically yet was smaller than in recent years. And although it was made up mainly of regime loyalists and state employees, there was plenty of dissent to be heard.

Rallies here and in other major cities took place against the backdrop of bitter wrangling over upcoming legislative elections and complaints by reformists that conservative hardliners were thwarting efforts to loosen the grip that clerics have had over Iran since the Shah's overthrow in 1979.

"The regime left no stone unturned to muster as many people as possible in Azadi Square but in vain. It is disgraceful, fewer than 50,000," Ali Abbsai, a bus driver assigned to transport loyalists to the capital rally, said on Wednesday.

"It is 10:30 a.m.," he added. "By this time last year the square and nearby streets had been full of supporters of the Islamic revolution."

Authorities had gone to lengths to ensure a big turnout.

"A week ahead of the anniversary, lots of booths were erected by Tehran municipality and dozens of government organizations to hand out Salavati (free of charge) refreshments among participants of marches leading to the square," said Hussain Hassani, a taxi driver who lives a five-minute walk from Azadi, which is made up of an Eiffel-like tower surrounded by vast lawns.

The crowd was slow to grow, forcing state-run television, which covered the event live, to string along commentary for an extra hour to allow more celebrants to arrive.

On the ground, the mood was mixed.

"This is a parody of pre-revolutionary era demonstrations," said a physical education teacher who had been charged by government officials with bussing in a hand-picked squad of junior high school students to sing revolutionary songs at the rally. He asked not to be identified by name.

"I have to pretend to be a supporter of the system to guarantee my employment in the education ministry," he said.

Ahmad Tawazoee, a retired biology teacher, faced no such constraint. "Ironically, the eye catching number of minders and the regime's faceless informants are replacing the grassroots in such demonstrations," he said as he waited on a bench for the rally to end so he could catch a bus to buy groceries.

Even so, many demonstrators proclaimed loyalty to the country's hard-line supreme leader, Ayatullah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and the conservative and traditionalist factions allied with him.

They carried signs that read: "We are obedient to the commands of the supreme leader", "We should not permit the revolution to be seized by non-believers", and "We are fully prepared to be martyred for the sake of the grand leader".

Said loyalist Bagher Golnari: "Our young people may face unemployment or some economic pressure but do not be confused, they keep on supporting our beloved revolution wholeheartedly."

The Islamic Mosharekat ("Participation") Party shunned the rally, as did other political groups, as conservatives vowed a strong turnout at polls scheduled for Feb. 20.

"We take part ... to punch the faces of our archenemies, the U.S. and U.K. governments, and to prove that our Islamic revolution is still popular," said Ahmadreza Hashemi who sported a few days' stubble on his face to demonstrate his allegiance to Islamic rule. He said he belonged to the hardline Basij militia at the university of science and technology.

Around them, the crowd included Hazarejats, Shiites from Bamiyan province in northwest Afghanistan who earn a living here as labourers and farm hands, as well as some women whose clothing was not in strict adherence with the Islamic dress code.

The women's presence, said one cleric, "proves our revolutionary cause, which includes supporting Palestinian people, is shared by all walks of our society."

From on board a bus that took passengers away from the square free of charge, the streets and sidewalks looked as if they had been carpeted with discarded disposable teacups and conservative campaign leaflets.

Ne'mat Tabri, who drove the bus, expressed disapproval.

"These apparently revolutionary people do not know how to live in a metropolis. They leave a trail of litter behind them," said Tabri.

At the other end of the bus ride, near Tehran University, crowds of young people had assembled. Rather than mark the revolution's anniversary, they had come to the local cinemas, which were screening Iranian as well as European and U.S. art films.

"I don't have enough time to waste on the anniversary," said one moviegoer, Dadbeh Hormozi, a student of civil engineering at Sharif University. "I entertain myself with art and film and literature. I hate politics."

Asked whether this disengagement had the effect of allowing 50,000 people at Azadi Square to speak for a nation of 70 million, a young woman waiting to buy a ticket said on condition of anonymity: "These 50,000 people are the tip of an iceberg. The whole military, police, intelligence and militia forces are completely ready to crack down heavy-handedly whenever they wish or find it necessary."

http://ipsnews.net/

Over 500 Candidates Withdraw From Iran Elections

February 14, 2004
Dow Jones Newswires
The Associated Press

TEHRAN -- More than 500 candidates, mostly independents, have withdrawn from next week's legislative elections, the Interior Ministry said Saturday, leaving a meager campaign dominated by hard-liners who are expected to win with a low voter turnout.

The group joins a boycott by almost all reformist parties of the Friday elections, in which most of the 5,600 candidates are hard-liners.

"So far, 550 candidates have withdrawn from the elections," the ministry said in a statement posted on its Web site.

It gave no reason for the withdrawal but many of the candidates, who were approved by the hard-line Guardian Council, are believed to be protesting the disqualifications of thousands of liberal candidates that has restricted people's choice.

"I was approved on the basis of the (supreme) leader's order and not according to defined legal procedure," said former candidate Aboulfazl Raouf. "I see this against my dignity as an Iranian citizen."

Also withdrawing from the election was Ali Akbar Mohtashamipour, a former interior minister and a hard-liner-turned-reformer. Mohtashamipour belongs to the Militant Clerics Association, the only reformist clerical party running in the elections.

Mohtashamipour could not be reached for comment Saturday.

The election campaign, which began Thursday, is less frenetic than in other years -especially compared to 2000, when reformists won control of the legislature from hard-liners for the first time since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

In the capital, Tehran, few posters hung on lampposts and some leaflets were handed out to passers-by or inserted into private houses by campaign workers.

In the absence of any rivals, hard-liners are expected to easily win. The biggest challenge will likely be persuading apathetic and disillusioned citizens to vote.

A government survey predicted that only about 30% of 46 million eligible voters would take part in the polls.

On Friday Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, urged a high turnout in the elections to give "a slap in the face" to pro-reform groups and others calling for a boycott.

A sharp drop in voter turnout would be widely interpreted as a powerful sign of support for reformers, who organized the boycott to protest the mass disqualification of liberal candidates that touched off one of Iran's deepest political crises since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

A low voter turnout would also be seen as eroding the legitimacy of the whole ruling Islamic establishment that has restricted the people's choice.

In 2000, parliament elections drew more than 67% of voters when reformers took control of the 290-seat chamber. Boycott organizers say they hope for 30% or lower this time.

This year's showdown began when the hard-line Guardian Council blocked more than 2,400 candidates -nearly all backing efforts to expand Western-style democracy and loosen strict interpretations of Islamic codes on areas such as social activities and the media.

The council reinstated about 1,100 candidates after sit-ins and protests by liberal lawmakers and supporters. But the ban remained on many pro-reform leaders.

Those barred from the vote include Mohammad Reza Khatami, leader of the Islamic Iran Participation Front, Iran's largest reformist party, which leads the boycott. Khatami, a younger brother of President Mohammad Khatami, won the biggest number of votes in Tehran in 2000.

A reluctant President Khatami gave in to Khamenei's order last week to hold elections but said the elections would be unfair and would leave little motivation for the people to vote.

http://framehosting.dowjonesnews.com/sample/samplestory.asp?StoryID=2004021412360000&Take=1

Iran Hits Back at European Parliament Criticism Over Elections

February 14, 2004
AFP
EU Business

Iran's foreign ministry on Saturday hit back at the European Parliament for criticising forthcoming parliamentary elections in the Islamic republic as failing to meet democratic standards.

According to the official news agency IRNA, spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi indicated Europe's "lack of a proper understanding of Iran's realities and intricacies".

"The forthcoming Majlis election is an internal issue and any measure which may lead to the conception of interference in Iran's internal affairs is unacceptable and not worthy of paying heed to," Asefi was quoted as saying.

"The European Parliament is advised to focus its efforts and time on dealing with flagrant human rights violations in the European countries and inattention to the rights of minorities, especially Muslims, and refrain from raising issues which they have nothing to do with," he added.

On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted a resolution expressing regret at the "severe setback in efforts towards the establishment of democratic structures in Iran".

It said "the lack of respect for democratic procedures may lead to a parliament unable to legitimise itself" and warned Iran could see its position in the international community weakened.

Thousands of candidates, mostly linked to the reformist movement, have been disqualified from standing in the February 20 polls by the Guardians Council, an unelected constitutional and legislative watchdog controlled by conservatives.

http://www.eubusiness.com/afp/040214144012.plwy7zzw

Senator Brownback on the upcoming elecions in Iran.

http://www.senate.gov/~src/radio/files/Brownback_Sam_16/brownbackiran2-13.mp3

I don't think people understand what an important day 20FEB is going to be. Iranians will either sit on their hands and accept a major (and possibly final) setback in the press for democracy, or all hell is about to break loose.

It will be an historic day in Iran either way.

Toadying to the Mullahs

February 14, 2004
The Weekly Standard
Amir Taheri

A Persian Proverb says, "He who makes the same mistake twice deserves disillusion." The British government is about to find out the truth of that saying, for once again it is wooing the mullahs of Tehran.

Last week Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, was dispatched to Tehran to raise the profile of the new policy. The pretext for the royal visit was a four-hour visit to Bam, the southeast Iranian city destroyed by an earthquake on December 26. But it was Charles's photo opportunities in Tehran with a string of mullahs, including President Mohammad Khatami, that dominated the visit.

Iran's state-owned media presented the visit as a tribute by the Western world to the Khomeinist revolution on its silver jubilee. At exactly the time that Charles was coddling the mullahs, the Iranian capital was hosting the notorious "10 Days of Dawn Revolutionary Festival" attended by terrorist masterminds and militants from all over the world.

Although it has critics within the British government, the policy of wooing the mullahs is backed by Prime Minister Tony Blair and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw. It began to take shape early in 2002, shortly after President George W. Bush described the Islamic Republic as part of an "axis of evil." Blair and Straw designed the policy as a means of counterbalancing their support for the liberation of Iraq.

The Blair-Straw argument is simple, not to say naive: The Khomeinist regime has matured and understands the realities of power. All that it demands now is an assurance that it will not be threatened with regime change. If the West lets the mullahs do as they please inside Iran, they might meet the West's demands on issues concerning the region.

Iran's cooperation is seen as important in three areas: bringing long-term stability to Afghanistan, creating a new regime in Iraq, and keeping the oil-rich Persian Gulf and the Caspian Basin as tension-free as possible. The Blair-Straw policy is based on the classical imperial doctrine according to which "the natives" may be allowed to do as they wish with themselves as long as they do not threaten the interests of the empire.

This message was conveyed to Iran's "Supreme Guide," Ali Khamenei, in the spring of 2002, when one of his closest advisers, Ardeshir Larijani, visited London and met with senior government figures. Since then Straw has visited Tehran five times, an all-time record for a British foreign secretary.

The trouble is that the Khomeinist regime has split between "reformers," as they are known in the West, and "conservatives," led by Khamenei. It now seems clear that the British connection has been one factor encouraging the conservatives to clip the wings of the reformers and tighten their own hold on power. They are expected to clinch that state of affairs on February 20, when a general election from which they barred a large number of candidates should give them control of parliament.

The British hope that the mullahs will do what Libya's Colonel Muammar Qaddafi has done and, once assured they will not be overthrown, start cooperating. To show that their policy is working, the British point to Iran's decision last month to freeze its uranium enrichment program--a program it had denied having for 20 years--and to allow additional inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The British policy of working with the status quo is, of course, in direct opposition to the Bush Doctrine, according to which the democratization of the Middle East is a vital security interest of the United States and other Western democracies.

British officials say London is trying to establish a dialogue with Tehran because the Bush administration is paralyzed by its divisions on Iran. It is no secret that the State Department has pursued a dialogue with Tehran in a string of meetings with mid-ranking Iranian officials over the past 10 months. Also, after the Bam earthquake, Washington sent a humanitarian team to Iran, the first official American delegation since the revolution.

But when the State Department attempted to capitalize on its "earthquake diplomacy" by proposing a delegation headed by Senator Elizabeth Dole, the Iranians backed out. Now London is presenting Prince Charles's visit as an attempt to resume that dialogue.

Will the Blair-Straw gamble pay off? In the short term, maybe; in the long term, no.

The mullahs have their backs to the wall and, weakened by their internecine feuds, will do almost anything to avoid outside pressure. Their oil industry, the source of almost 60 percent of the government budget, is in a state of dereliction and needs over $50 billion in investment just to stay afloat for the next decade or so. Also, with an American military presence now established in Iraq, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, and the Persian Gulf, the mullahs feel that a lasso has been thrown around them. Thus, if the mullahs are assured that no one is going to export such dangerous ideas as democracy and human rights to their neck of the woods, they might adopt a low profile for the time being. Almost certainly, they will agree to make less mischief, not only in Afghanistan and Iraq but also in Lebanon and the Palestinian territories.

But that will be a tactical retreat. It is unlikely that the Khomeinist strategy can change. That strategy is based on the claim that Khomeini's brand of Islam must conquer the whole world, starting with the Middle East after the destruction of Israel.

This is not the first time that Britain, along with Germany and France, has tried a policy of "constructive dialogue" with the mullahs. Back in 1978, another Labour government, under Prime Minister James Callaghan, endorsed the Khomeinist revolution and pressed the shah to step down. The mullahs repaid Callaghan by closing the British embassy in Tehran and naming the street where it is located after Bobby Sands, an IRA terrorist who died in a British prison.

In the years that followed, Iranian agents and Lebanese Hezbollah militants working for Iran seized over 50 Britons, including a dozen nuns, as hostages, and held some of them for years--notably Terry Waite, a representative of the archbishop of Canterbury. The British embassy was reopened in 1988, then closed barely a year later when Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa calling for the murder of British novelist Salman Rushdie. In 1989 and 1990, Arabian hit-squads murdered several Iranian dissidents in Britain.

Four months ago, Britain again ran into trouble with the mullahs after Argentina demanded the arrest of one Hadi Soleimanpour, the former Iranian ambassador to Buenos Aires, who had become a student in Britain. The British arrested the ex-diplomat and held him on an extradition warrant from Argentina, on charges of involvement in the bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires in 1994 that killed 85 people. Tehran reacted by sending gunmen to fire at the British embassy building in Tehran on two occasions. London caved in, releasing the alleged terrorist and allowing him to return home to a hero's welcome.

For 25 years the mullahs have lurched from crisis to crisis, always managing to hoodwink this or that Western power into helping them buy time. Today, part of the blame belongs to the Bush administration, which, having spelled out lofty principles for a new Middle East, appears unable to devise practical policies to implement them. As far as Iran is concerned, Washington would do well to learn from London's mistakes.

Amir Taheri, an Iranian journalist, is the author of 10 books on the Middle East and Islam.

Weekly Standard - 02/23/2004, Volume 009, Issue 23

http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/003/742puhoy.asp

IRAN CAPABLE OF BUILDING 30 ATOMIC BOMB A YEAR: STUDY

TEHRAN, 14 Feb. (IPS)

The Islamic Republic of Iran revealed on Saturday that it has produced nuclear fuel and proposed to offer some of it on the international market.

“As a country which has potentials on producing nuclear fuel, the Islamic Republic is ready to offer its produced fuel to international markets", Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Kamal Kharrazi was quoted by the official news agency |IRNA as having said on his arrival to Tehran, coming from Vatican.

In a study to be published next month, David Albright, the leading US nuclear analyst, says that Iran has still not answered key questions about its nuclear activities. "Between 1993 and 1995, Iran received through middlemen enough components to build 500 centrifuges", he writes. "As of late January 2004, the manufacturer of these components has not been publicly identified. Iran appears so far to be protecting the supplier of these components."

Once in full swing, Mr Albright predicts, the Iranian centrifuges could be producing 500kg of weapons-grade uranium, or enough for up to 30 nuclear weapons a year.

Mr. Kharrazi’s declaration caught analysts and experts by surprise, not knowing he was serious or was just challenging the United States ahead of a new round of dispute with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) over Iran’s hidden uranium enriching activities.

Diplomats speaking on conditions of anonymity told the Financial Times of London that international nuclear inspectors have found new evidences that the Islamic Republic was continuing the controversial activities despite pledges to Britain, France and Germany to suspend them.

“The new findings would be addressed by Dr. Mohammad el-Brade’i, the IAEA’s Director in his report to the next meeting of the Agency’s Board of Directors”, one diplomat said, adding he expects that the European Union’s Big 3 pushes Tehran for proving that it had honoured its engagements, signed on 21 October, undertaking officially to suspend uranium enriching programs and sign the Additional Protocol to the Non Proliferation Treaty.

The United States has been saying for nearly a year that Iran's long history of concealing the full extent of its atomic program was a violation of its obligations under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

But experts say the state of Iran's capacity to produce its own nuclear fuel, let alone export it, is considerably limited to the point that it had to import from Russia the fuel needed for the nuclear-powered electrical plant the Russians are building at the Persian Gulf of Booshehr.

Iran acknowledged only last year that it was beginning to enrich uranium with components bought on the black market or from countries it did not named.

But recent investigation in Pakistan showed Iran was one of the main beneficiaries from Dr. Abdol Qadeer Khan, the disgraced Pakistani atomic scientist who sold plans and ageing equipments for enriching uranium to Iran, Libya and North Korea.

The United States has been saying for nearly a year that Iran's long history of concealing the full extent of its atomic program was a violation of its obligations under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

“Iran will answer all remaining questions with full transparency and has no plan to produce nuclear weapons as it has announced several times before”, Kharrazi said, commenting on renewed American and Western accusations that it is accelerating its atomic programs aimed at developing its own atomic weapons.

He stressed Iran’s policy of “transparency and continuation of cooperation” with the IAEA and said examining issues between Iran and the IAEA is “on the agenda”.

But Western diplomats in Vienna told the British news agency Reuters on Thursday that the IAEA had uncovered designs for a centrifuge that should have been mentioned in Iran's October declaration.

They said the drawings showed Tehran had not complied with a demand from the IAEA governing board that it provide a full and truthful account of its entire nuclear program, Reuters added.

"This is a very serious matter", said one envoy. Asked if he thought it could be serious enough for Washington to revisit the idea of reporting Iran to the U.N. Security Council, the diplomat said he did.

The diplomats said Washington might renew its push to report Iran to the Council after revelations that it failed to declare drawings for an advanced uranium-enrichment centrifuge that can be used to produce material for weapons.

Pointing to recent remarks by US officials on Iran’s nuclear activities, the Minister said, "The United States follows its own goals and as the previous stage, it intends to put the (International Atomic Energy) Agency and its Governing Council under new pressures".

“Iran’s internal affairs may prepare grounds for new US interventions but what is important is the people’s resistance, Mr. Kharrazi went on, adding that the Iranian people will not compromise with any country on its national interest.

The United States again accused Iran of hiding its nuclear activities from the international community and made clear on Friday it would give Iran more time to disclose its nuclear programs before deciding whether to refer the issue to the U.N. Security Council, which could impose sanctions.

"We do not believe that Iran has made the strategic decision to abandon its efforts to develop a nuclear weapons capability", said State Department spokesman Richard Boucher, adding, "We do not believe that Iran has been fully transparent in its October declaration to the IAEA on its nuclear activities”.

"Iran has continued to hide information from the IAEA related to its ongoing efforts to develop a nuclear weapons capability," Boucher charged, also citing its alleged "failure to suspend all enrichment related and reprocessing activities."

Later Friday, the Republican-controlled US Senate unanimously passed a resolution of concern over Iran's failure to meet its IAEA obligations, according to the French news agency AFP.

The resolution expressed "the deep concern of Congress regarding the failure of the Islamic Republic of Iran to adhere to its obligations under a safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency and the engagement by Iran in activities that appear to be designed to develop nuclear weapons".

ENDS IRAN NUCLEAR 14204

http://www.iran-press-service.com/articles_2004/Feb_04/iran_nuclear_14204.htm

Iran Gets Support to Join WTO

February 13, 2004
The Washington Times
John Zarocostas

GENEVA -- The United States this week found itself increasingly isolated in opposing Iran's application for membership in the World Trade Organization.

The European Union spearheaded a push to admit Iran at a meeting of the agency's ruling General Council on Wednesday, backed by a cross section of rich and developing countries.

Candidate countries must be given the right of membership "regardless of political considerations," said EU Ambassador Carlo Trojan, who said the organization "fully supports" the application and believes accession would promote economic reforms in Iran.

Other countries that spoke in support of Iran included China, India, Venezuela, Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Switzerland and New Zealand. Tanzania took the floor on behalf of an informal group of developing countries.

Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Peter Allgeier was unmoved by the appeals, refusing to budge from the position taken by the Bush administration since Iran's application for membership was first taken up in May 2001.

"We are reviewing [Iran's request] and there's no change at this point," he said.

Iraqi delegates meanwhile lauded a decision by the global body to honor their country's Jan. 23 application for observer status, which came after months of behind-the-scenes diplomacy by the Bush administration.

The decision sends a "very strong signal to the Iraqi people that the international community has accepted them back and that was essential. It has a big psychological impact," said Ahmad Al-Mukhtar, the head of the Iraqi delegation.

Mr. Allgeier said that by pursuing the request, Iraq "has made clear its commitment to the rule of law and the principles that underlie the WTO."

Canadian Ambassador Sergio Marchi said the trade group had done "the right thing for Iraq, and we hope universality of membership will be the dominant principle." Other statements in support of Iraq came from Australia, Japan, the European Union, Kenya, India and China.

Arab members went along with the consensus decision but none spoke out in support with it.

"We could not agree on a single [Arab] text," a senior Arab diplomat told The Washington Times. The official said most Arab countries did not want to upset Iraq or the United States but did not want to be "too positive."

For a number of years, Arab trade diplomats have objected to the U.S. and Israeli policy of blocking membership requests by Syria and Libya, and a bid for observer status by the 22-member Arab League.

http://washingtontimes.com/world/20040212-112149-6904r.htm

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