This article has been posted to DoctorZin’s New News Blog!
Posted on 08/14/2004 8:59:57 PM PDT by DoctorZIn
The US media still largley ignores news regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran. As Tony Snow of the Fox News Network has put it, “this is probably the most under-reported news story of the year.” Most American’s are unaware that the Islamic Republic of Iran is NOT supported by the masses of Iranians today. Modern Iranians are among the most pro-American in the Middle East.
There is a popular revolt against the Iranian regime brewing in Iran today. I began these daily threads June 10th 2003. On that date Iranians once again began taking to the streets to express their desire for a regime change. Today in Iran, most want to replace the regime with a secular democracy.
The regime is working hard to keep the news about the protest movement in Iran from being reported. Unfortunately, the regime has successfully prohibited western news reporters from covering the demonstrations. The voices of discontent within Iran are sometime murdered, more often imprisoned. Still the people continue to take to the streets to demonstrate against the regime.
In support of this revolt, Iranians in America have been broadcasting news stories by satellite into Iran. This 21st century news link has greatly encouraged these protests. The regime has been attempting to jam the signals, and locate the satellite dishes. Still the people violate the law and listen to these broadcasts. Iranians also use the Internet and the regime attempts to block their access to news against the regime. In spite of this, many Iranians inside of Iran read these posts daily to keep informed of the events in their own country.
This daily thread contains nearly all of the English news reports on Iran. It is thorough. If you follow this thread you will witness, I believe, the transformation of a nation. This daily thread provides a central place where those interested in the events in Iran can find the best news and commentary. The news stories and commentary will from time to time include material from the regime itself. But if you read the post you will discover for yourself, the real story of what is occurring in Iran and its effects on the war on terror.
I am not of Iranian heritage. I am an American committed to supporting the efforts of those in Iran seeking to replace their government with a secular democracy. I am in contact with leaders of the Iranian community here in the United States and in Iran itself.
If you read the daily posts you will gain a better understanding of the US war on terrorism, the Middle East and why we need to support a change of regime in Iran. Feel free to ask your questions and post news stories you discover in the weeks to come.
If all goes well Iran will be free soon and I am convinced become a major ally in the war on terrorism. The regime will fall. Iran will be free. It is just a matter of time.
DoctorZin
Inside the Zarqawi Network
August 16, 2004
The Washington Institute for Near East Policy
Jonathan Schanzer, Soref Fellow
At least 13 Iraqis were killed in fighting with U.S. soldiers in the Iraqi city of Falluja on July 30, part of the ongoing U.S. offensive against fighters loyal to Abu Musab al Zarqawi, the man Bush administration officials claim is the most dangerous terrorist in Iraq today. Critics, however, contend that the Jordanian-born Zarqawi is a Washington-made bogeyman who is not worth the $25 million bounty on his head. They doubt the strength of Zarqawi's Tawhid and Jihad (Unity and Holy War) group, citing intelligence officials who generally agree that no more than 1,000 foreign fighters are active in Iraq.
A memo acquired by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy from Iraqi intelligence sources, however, provides a first glimpse into the configuration of Zarqawi's Iraqi network, which may be more dangerous than previously imagined. The memo, "Structure of Tawhid and Jihad Islamic Group," details several days of recent interrogations of one of Zarqawi's captured lieutenants. Umar Baziyani, Zarqawi's number four, a member of the Tawhid legislative council, and the "emir" of Baghdad, was captured by U.S. forces in late May 2004. The account of his confessions details the hierarchal structure of Zarqawi's group, its ties to Syria and Iran, the number of fighters it commands in Iraq, the names of the regional emirs, its media strategy, and more.
The memo explains that Zarqawi, who had allied himself with the Kurdish al Qaeda affiliate Ansar al Islam in northern Iraq, lost his lifeline to al Qaeda in January 2004 when U.S. intelligence arrested Hassan Ghul. Ghul, according to U.S. officials, was carrying a message from Zarqawi to Osama bin Laden. Ghul, who was reportedly a lieutenant of 9/11 planner Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, was considered to be the top al Qaeda operative captured in Iraq. Baziyani explains that after Ghul's arrest, Tawhid and Jihad was cut off from al Qaeda. Recent reports, citing U.S. intelligence agencies, indicate that Zarqawi may have been trying to reconnect with bin Laden "in the last few weeks."
Baziyani explains, however, that Zarqawi's group did not wither when it fell from the al Qaeda vine. He claims that there are nine regional leaders of the Falluja-based Tawhid and Jihad under Zarqawi. His deputy, also based in Falluja, is known as Mahi Shami. If U.S. intelligence manages to catch up with these two top leaders, there are still regional "emirs" fanned out around Iraq, which could make the network incredibly difficult to break. For instance, Baziyani explained during his interrogation that he had been replaced as emir of Baghdad after his arrest. There are also regional emirs in the Kurdish north (Hussein Salim), the western Anbar province (Abdullah Abu Azzam), and the city of Mosul (Abu Tallah). In this way, Tawhid and Jihad can execute spectacular terrorist attacks throughout the country. These include the Baghdad-based bombing of the Jordanian embassy; suicide bombings against Shiites and an attack on Basra's oil infrastructure in the south; suicide bombings against Kurds in the north; attacks against police recruiting centers throughout the country; and the beheading of American Nick Berg in an unknown location.
In addition to its regional bases, Zarqawi's group has a specially designated media department. Baziyani claims that a man named Hassan Ibrahim heads this department, along with lieutenants Khadi Hassan and "Adil," who were responsible for taping and releasing the May 11 beheading of Berg.
Baziyani also details the military strength of Tawhid and Jihad. He lists seven military commanders under Zarqawi's control throughout Iraq with about 1,400 fighters at their disposal. Not surprisingly, Baziyani stated that the Falluja group, headed by Abu Nawas Falujayee, has the most fighters with 500. Second to Falluja is Mosul, with 400 fighters. (Analysts believe Mosul is a haven for former Ansar al Islam fighters.) There are also strongholds in Anbar (60 fighters), Baghdad (40 fighters), and Diyala, the province just northeast of Baghdad (80 fighters). According to Baziyani, most of the fighters in Tawhid and Jihad are Iraqi Arabs and Kurds -- not foreign jihadis -- which corroborates reports by U.S. intelligence that the foreign fighter presence is much smaller than previously imagined.
One senior administration official, however, doubts Baziyani's claim that Zarqawi has 1,400 fighters under his command. A more realistic figure, he said, speaking on condition of anonymity, might be 500. But the official admitted, "I'm not sure how anyone would really know. If we knew more, we would have probably rolled up this group by now. It could be wrong for us to think we know better than the man we debriefed."
Interestingly, Baziyani's interrogation reveals that Tawhid and Jihad maintains a strong military presence (150 fighters) in the town of al-Qaim, which is close to the Syrian border, just west of the Euphrates River. One Pentagon official believes that the number of fighters Baziyani put in al-Qaim is likely inflated, but says that the importance of the town cannot be overstated. Al-Qaim, to the bewilderment of U.S. officials, was where the Iraqi army put up some of its fiercest resistance during the 2003 Iraq war. A senior administration official calls Qaim "critical" and "the key to understanding how Syria is involved" in the insurgency.
With the help of Zarqawi, the town is said to be a depot for weapons, cash, and fighters supplied by Zarqawi's financiers -- the bulk of whom are now believed by U.S. intelligence to be operating out of Syria. Abu Muhamed, whom the memo fingers as the military emir of the Baghdad cell, is a former Lebanese military officer who once lived in Denmark. According to Baziyani, he was smuggled into Iraq via Syria. Many other fighters, including Zarqawi's driver and bodyguard, are of Syrian descent.
There are other foreign links. Baziyani explained to his interrogators that the Zarqawi network received a great deal of assistance from Iran. One Tawhid and Jihad militant, Othman, was reportedly responsible for transferring former Ansar al Islam fighters and other jihadis back and forth from Iran to Baghdad once the U.S. occupation was underway. In other words, Iran has been involved in supplying fighters to tangle with U.S. soldiers. This should come as no surprise, given the 9/11 Commission's recent report that Iran was a transit state for 9/11 plotters.
Looking back, Sunni-Shia enmity has never been a concern for Iran when it comes to providing logistics to al Qaeda, or even supporting Sunni groups such as Hamas in the West Bank and Gaza. Iran, it is also worth noting, provided assistance to the Sunni and Kurdish Ansar al Islam on the eve of the 2003 U.S. invasion. Tehran allowed Ansar fighters to cross the border to escape the U.S. assault. According to several Ansar prisoners, Iran allowed fighters to remain there, and then later helped them back into Iraq to join the insurgency.
Interestingly, the Baziyani memo is not all bad news. The captured militant says that U.S. forces have hammered the Falluja bases of his organization in recent months. This, he said, has caused the network's leadership to disperse. Thus, Baziyani states, some of Zarqawi's deputies have considered Samarra as a new base. According to one Iraqi source close to the new Iraqi security cabinet, there has been some indication of "command and control in the Samarra area." Several U.S. officials, however, believe this assertion to be untrue -- perhaps wishful thinking or even disinformation on the part of Baziyani.
The information in the Baziyani interrogation memo needs to be further vetted by U.S. and Iraqi intelligence. Still, the memo provides an unprecedented look into the mind of one of Zarqawi's lieutenants. It also provides a view of the small but powerful network that may or may not be at the center of the Iraqi insurgency, but has established itself as its brutal, public face.
Jonathan Schanzer is a Soref Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and author of the forthcoming Al-Qaeda's Armies: Middle East Affiliate Groups and the Next Generation of Terror.
Weekly Standard, August 16, 2004
http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/media/schanzer/schanzer081604.htm
Iran: OPEC Powerless to Lower Oil Price [Excerpt]
August 14, 2004
Reuters
CNN Money
TEHRAN -- OPEC can do nothing to douse scorching oil prices when markets are already oversupplied by 2.8 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude, Iran's OPEC governor said on Saturday, warning that prices could fall sharply.
"Now there are more than 2.8 million bpd of crude more than demand," Hossein Kazempour Ardebili was quoted as saying on the Iranian Oil Ministry Web site.
"There is no reason for OPEC members to increase production," he added. "This organisation is unable to do anything at present."
Oil futures prices raced to record highs on Friday, further boosted by a U.S. refinery fire, underpinned in a long term rally but soaring demand led by China and fears of disruption to supply, particularly in Iraq.
U.S. crude oil futures hit $46.65 a barrel, the latest peak in a series of record highs in all but one of the last 11 trading sessions.
Iran is OPEC's second-biggest producer but like all its fellow members but for Saudi Arabia, it has no spare capacity left to contribute to a further rise in OPEC's production after the cartel's most recent 2.5 million bpd quotas hike agreed in June.
Iran's attempts to lift capacity further are weighed down by cumbersome investment deals.
"It seems that prices will continue to go up without taking into consideration the basic elements of the market, supply and demand," Kazempour said. "The current trend of prices stems from political and military developments."
He reiterated that oil prices could still crash if security fears subsided.
"If a calm political and military situation prevails in the market, the amount added to crude reserves will pressure the price," he said.
The Organisation of the Petrolem Exporting Countries, due to meet next on September 15, is already pumping at a 25-year high of 30 million bpd, casting aside the restraint of official quotas.
Saudi Arabia is producing around 9.5 million bpd, against a quota of 8.45 million bpd, and is expected to reach near 10 million bpd in September.
Iran, however, is straining to produce nearly four million bpd against a quota of around 3.8 million bpd. ...
http://money.cnn.com/2004/08/14/news/international/iran_opec.reut/index.htm
Milk for Iraq Sold in Iran
August 14, 2004
AFP
Aljazeera
Large quantities of powdered milk donated by international aid agencies to Iraq are being stolen and smuggled across the border to Iran for sale at bargain prices.
"We have had to cut down on production because of the smuggled milk that is sold for 8,000 rials (about one dollar) per kilogram," a Iranian dairy executive, Husayn Chamani, told reporters on Saturday.
Domestic powdered milk retails at 40,000 rials a kilo in Iranian pharmacies.
Chamani blamed lax border controls and said about 3000 jobs in the milk industry would be in jeopardy if smuggled milk kept flooding the Iranian market.
There are also health concerns over the inappropriate packaging of the smuggled milk in 25- and 50-kg bags, he added.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/F23C4D2E-2D28-4491-8307-BE16109E5C3D.htm
IRAN’S NEO-CONSERVATIVES POISED TO TAKE CHARGE OF POLITICAL AGENDA
By Kamal Nazer Yasin
Posted Saturday, August 14, 2004
In response to deepening domestic and social challenges, a neo-conservative movement is fast gaining influence in Iran, and now appears poised to take charge of shaping the country’s political agenda. This new force in Iranian politics features a blend of old-style devotion to the principles of the 1979 Islamic revolution with new-found pragmatism on nagging domestic issues.
Many leaders of Iran’s neo-conservative movement, including Tehran mayor Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nezhad, maintain close connections with the Revolutionary Guards, the chief enforcer of the Islamic Revolution. For much of the Islamic republic’s existence, there has been an effective taboo on the Revolutionary Guards’ involvement in politics. This taboo now appears to have been broken.
Neo-conservatives have grown increasingly assertive in recent months, especially after the controversial parliamentary elections in February that gave conservatives a stranglehold on the legislature. In March, a prominent neo-conservative and former Revolutionary Guards commander, Ezatollah Zarghami, was named to head Iran’s state television and radio network. Meanwhile, the head of the country’s judiciary, Ayatollah Mahmoud Shahroudi, named a former Revolutionary Guards commander to be his legislative liaison.
According to political observers in Tehran, the neo-conservative movement is still taking shape. In particular, the movement’s leadership structure remains ill-defined. Perhaps as many as 80 MPs out of the 270-seat legislature are believed to be proponents of neo-conservative beliefs. The movement is believed to be steadily gaining adherents.
Many neo-conservatives are members of the second-generation of the Islamic revolution - people who were too young to play important roles in the 1979 overthrow of the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. In general, political experts say, the neo-conservatives share many of the same orthodox views held by the older generation of conservatives on the special, dominant role of Islam in Iranian society.
In sharp contrast to the older generation, however, the neo-conservatives seem unfazed by globalization issues and express a willingness to tackle the country’s myriad social and economic problems, especially unemployment. Iran’s old conservative guard, which is dominated by clerics, has largely avoided confronting the country’s daunting economic dilemmas.
There are indications that the Old Guard, including the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khameneh’i, has tacitly encouraged the neo-conservatives to assert themselves. The Supreme Leader’s office, along with other top Iranian institutions, has praised neo-conservative initiatives. On July 11, for example, Ayatollah Ali Meshkini, the head of the Assembly of Experts, lauded Ahmadi-Nezhad, the conservative Tehran mayor, saying; "not only the people of Tehran, but the entire Iranian nation is pleased that a new management team has come to power at the Mayor’s Office."
Such statements are being interpreted by Tehran political observers as an admission by the Old Guard that the younger generation now offers the best hope for defending the ideals of the Islamic revolution. Many neo-conservatives lack an extensive track record of public service, and thus are believed to be better able to gain the trust and support of a wary population.
In general, conservative forces can rely on the support of 20 percent or less of Iran’s population. Conservatives have been able to wrestle power from reformists in recent years in part through the manipulation of the country’s religious oversight bodies, in particular the Council of the Guardians, and by taking advantage of public apathy generated by the inability of reformist forces to push through their legislative agenda.
In another sign that the neo-conservatives are in the ascendancy, institutions closely identified with the Old Guard - such as the Society of Combatant Clergy and the Islamic Coalition Association (ICA) - have recently seen their authority scaled back. Throughout the Islamic republic’s history, the ICA managed billions of dollars in various economic projects with little or no accountability for expenditures. Rumours are now circulating in Tehran that some ICA-affiliated organizations may soon be the targets of an anti-corruption investigation.
Some observers consider former Majles Speaker Hojjatoleslam Ali-Akbar Nateq Nouri, who officially serves as Khameneh’i’s chief of staff, as the chief liaison between the Old Guard leadership and members of the neo-conservative movement.
Influential conservative clerics appear to hope that the neo-conservatives will be able to restore the popular consensus for Islamic republican principles, which have eroded since 1997, following the election of reformist president Mohammad Khatami. The neo-conservatives are reputed to be strong supporters of Khamenei’s spiritual authority, and they currently enjoy a reputation of shunning corrupt practices. The also express a willingness to embrace new tactics, which are more in step with public preferences, in going about defending Iran’s Islamic orthodoxy.
The performance of Ahmadi-Nezhad’s mayoral administration in Tehran offers some insight into the neo-conservative movement’s operating methods. Its twin motto is "efficiency" and "clean government." Ahmadi-Nejad has sought to improve public services, including garbage collection, while seeking to reorient the city’s cultural policies. Tehran officials have closed down youth centres and music and film clubs, and instead pressed ahead with efforts to organise new youth-oriented religious programs.
In addition to Iran’s political, social and economic problems, the confrontational stance adopted by the United States under the Bush administration has infused the neo-conservatives with a sense of urgency. The Bush administration, in which American neo-conservatives hold sway over Iranian policy, view Iran as a member of the "Axis of Evil," and, before US forces became bogged down in Iraq, often spoke of the need for regime change in Tehran.
Some observers in Tehran believe that the recent emergence of the Revolutionary Guards as a force in Iranian politics is a direct response to the country’s developing geopolitical challenges.
Given Iran’s complex political system, featuring elected and un-elected institutions, many observers say it is too early to tell whether the neo-conservative movement can gain enough traction, especially among the electorate, to successfully implement their agenda. At the same time, experts believe the neo-conservatives will soon have the opportunity to test their political leadership skills.
ENDS IRAN CONSERVATIVES 14804
Editor’s Note: Kamal Nazer Yasin is a pseudonym for a freelance journalist specializing in Iranian affairs.
Highlights, some ediding and phonetisation of names are by IPS
This article was published by EurasiatNet on 25 July 2004
http://www.iran-press-service.com/ips/articles-2004/august/iran_conservatives_14804.shtml
Iranians are simply too smart to put up with the cleric-run government. I can understand a backlash against the Peacock Throne, but the backlash against its replacement is inevitable.
Thanks for your tireless work on this project. I have longed for Iran to be free since the Shah was force out and the Ayatollah moved in.
I hope Jimmy Carter rots in hell for withdrawing his support of the Shah, and refusing him medical treatment in the U.S., when he came down with cancer. Some Christian...
Oy
Renouned Zoroastrian Magi, Dr. Yazdi, was on Persian Satellite Television claiming he's had holy visions that Iran will be free in exactly 52 days. He's on RangaRang TV one of the over 20 stations beamed from California. He said that he's planning on going in with loads of people on 70 UN-chartered planes and is one hundred percent certain of the revolution due to his prophetic visions.
Sounds pretty crazy to me, but he's adamently sticking by his word. I'll post further later.
"I hope Jimmy Carter rots in hell for withdrawing his support of the Shah..."
Here,Here! I second that
"he's had holy visions that Iran will be free in exactly 52 days"
OKay....what's that date?
Kazemi lawyers appeal Iranian court verdict
CTV.ca News Staff
Lawyers in Iran have launched an appeal in the case of murdered Canadian photo-journalist, Zahra Kazemi.
A legal team representing Kazemi's mother -- who says she was forced by authorities to bury her daughter in Iran last year -- is appealing an Iranian court verdict from last month that acquitted the only defendant in the case.
"We appealed on Wednesday and expect the appeals court to invite Tehran prosecutor Saeed Mortazavi and Iran's Information Minister Ali Yunesi as witnesses," said Mohammad Ali Dadkhah, a member of the legal team.
Dadkhah told The Associated Press that Iranian government reports showed the named officials are well informed about the case, but the initial court didn't summon them to appear at the trial.
Kazemi, a Canadian freelance journalist who holds both Canadian and Iranian citizenship, died while under arrest in Iran on July 10, 2003. Kazemi was in detention for taking photographs of a student-led protest.
At first, the country's judiciary said she died of a stroke. But an inquiry later determined she died of a fractured skull and brain hemorrhage.
The sole defendant in the case, Mohammad Reza Aghdam Ahmadi, was charged with "semi-premeditated murder." But in July, a court in Tehran acquitted him.
The judiciary said Kazemi's death must have been an accident. It suggested Kazemi was weakened by a hunger strike, that her blood pressure dropped and she fell to the floor, striking her head on the ground.
Iran rejected the idea of Canadian observers attending the trial and barred the Canadian ambassador from attending the last session of the open trial.
Canada has already recalled its ambassador to Iran. A day after the ruling, Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew said he did not believe Iran's assessment.
"We are demanding Iran to go to the bottom of this thing," said Pettigrew. "We want the truth."
Pettigrew has also asked that Kazemi's body be returned to Canada. Kazemi's son, Stephan Hachemi, has made the same request.
"There are sentimental reasons of course for (her son) Mr. (Stephan) Hachemi but we want the body back in Canada as well because we could determine really whether she died the way we know she has," Pettigrew said. "It is a murder case here."
Hachemi has been critical of the response by the government. He wants diplomatic sanctions, and to see the case taken to the International Court of Justice at The Hague, Netherlands.
The Kazemi family's legal team is headed by 2003 Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi.
http://sympaticomsn.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1092497716668_62?hub=TopStories
6,000-Year-Old Archeological Site Discovered in Sarvestan, Iran
While excavating Sarvestan Palace, one of the most magnificent monuments of the Sassanid era (226-651), Iranian archeologists have unearthed a vast archeological site south of Iran, Iranian Cultural Heritage News Agency reported.
Housing Iran’s oldest brick cupola, the palace was built during the reign of Bahram "Gur" (The Zebra-Hunter, 420-438 A.D.) as a leisure mansion. Mehrnevsi, his well-known minister ordered the construction of this palace. It has one entrance corridor (ivan) and the dome is located in the center of the building.
The new discovery has revealed that the area was inhabited since 6,000 years ago, 4,500 years older than previous estimates, said Amir Pirooz Daghooghi, project manager. “We have unearthed earthenware vessels in the site, clearly indicating the area was inhabitable since the 4th millennium BC,” he added.
Located in Fars Province, it is made of brick, stone and plaster. Since 1956, major renovations took place. This monument has been registered on the list of National Monuments of Iran. The site was just explored prior to the 1979 Islamic Revolution, after which the work stopped.
http://www.payvand.com/news/04/aug/1124.html
I think it's between October 5th to 10th. I'll try to translate the exact date. He's been on the stations virtually everyday.
8/14/04
Iraqi Prime Minister welcomes invitation to visit Iran
Najaf, Aug 14, IRNA -- Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi has welcomed an invitation to visit Iran despite a recent war of words which have dogged ties between the two neighbors. Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi announced Tuesday that Allawi had been invited to pay an official visit to Iran.
"We want establishment of good relations with neighboring countries, especially Iran, and believe that our bilateral ties are based on common interests," Allawi told IRNA reporter at this Iraqi holy city Saturday.
Allawi's conciliatory statements come in the wake of accusations levelled by few interim Iraqi government officials, including Defense Minister Hazem al-Shalaan, accusing Iran of interference in Iraq's domestic affairs.
The Iraqi prime minister stressed that 'the complaint` had only been made against 'unofficial figures` in Iran, saying, "We do not accuse the Iranian government of interference in Iraq's domestic affairs."
They also follow the arrest of several Iranians in Iraq, including four IRNA correspondents and a consular official.
Baghdad bureau chief Mostafa Darban and two Iraqi staff, Mohammed Khafaji and Mohsen Madani, have been arrested and Iranian officials say the fate of the fourth is still unaccounted for.
Tehran said one of its consular officials in Iraq, Fereidoun Jahani, had disappeared on August 4 on the road between Baghdad and Karbala.
A statement from a group, calling itself the Islamic Army in Iraq, has alleged that Jahani was 'detained for stirring sectarian strife and for activities outside his diplomatic duties'.
An unnamed source has been quoted as saying that the group had acted in collaboration with the US embassy in Iraq under direct supervision of US ambassador John Negroponte.
Iran has twice summoned Iraq's top diplomat to Tehran for explanation following the accusations, including allegations that four Iranian intelligence officers had been arrested on suspicion of spying and carrying out acts of sabotage in the country.
http://www.payvand.com/news/04/aug/1132.html
Iran starts training program for Afghan officials
Kabul, Aug 14, IRNA -- Iranian experts started training 60 officials of three Afghan ministries -- mines and industries, water and power and communications -- in Kabul on Saturday.
The training program is being conducted with the help of the World Bank, the Iranian embassy at the Afghan capital declared.
Iranian experts are to teach principles of management to the Afghan officials.
The one-month training program is being conducted in the premises of the Afghan Ministry of Mines and Industries.
It may be recalled that on August 3 some 45 personnel of the Afghan Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock headed for Tehran to participate in an agricultural equipment and gardening training program.
Talking to IRNA, Minister of Agriculutre and Livestock Mohammed Sharif said: "Iran has contributed to Afghanistan's reconstruction in several areas, particularly in providing training for agricultural personnel."
Iran last year donated to the Afghan Ministry of Agriculture 211 agricultural machinery as well as fertilizers and pesticides worth US dlr 12 million, the official added.
Some 200 officials from Afghanistan's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock had attended training programs in the first month of 2003 to expand the country's agriculture sector and increase its production of agricultureal products.
http://www.payvand.com/news/04/aug/1129.html
Isn't Oct. when Ledeen predicts something, too?
Coincidence? Or Plot? ; )
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