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Rumi
Protests
Gridlock
Student protests, the government and the constitution
By Guive Mirfendereski
July 14, 1999
The Iranian
Iran is in the grip of the early stages of a constitutional reform movement,
which is brought about, inevitably and unavoidably, by a constitution which,
as a friend has put it, is a blueprint for gridlock. Gridlock, maintained
for too long, even if it is in the natural order of constitutional checks
and balances, is a recipe for disaster, because nothing of good can get
accomplished, while everything evil remains unaffected ... GO
TO FEATURE
Also
see latest protest photos
Outlook
A Worried U.S. Says Little About Iran's Rising Turmoil
By PHILIP SHENON
The New York Times
July y 14, 1999
The administration had hoped that the demonstrations would strengthen
the hand of Iran's popular reformist leader, President Mohammad Khatami,
by making clear the public's support for democracy and the rule of law,
these officials said.
They said Khatami also appeared to be alarmed by the possibility that
the protests had spun out of control. In a televised statement Tuesday
night, he warned that he would use force to end the demonstrations, even
though many of the protesting students are among his most passionate supporters
... FULL TEXT
Iranian science fiction
By Baktash Khamseh-Pour
16 Mehr 8477 A.Z [After Zoro?]
8 october 1997 A.D
Mahnaz walked towards him and stood face to face in front of him. She
looked deep into Arman's eyes and said. - I dont promise you anything but
you know today is 1st of Mehr 8592. Why not travel back only four years
ago and discover something which is the most precious thing in the whole
wide world. Arman stood puzzled. He didn't have a clue what she was talking
about. Mahnaz turned back and left his room. Arman walked towards the window
and looked outside. He noticed two birds close together on their nest.
He turned back and walked into the Zurvanvand (Time machine). He then set
the destination time on 1st of Mehr 8488 and adjusted the destination place
to Shiraz ... FULL TEXT
More Letters
* Will civil society grow?
Nader Pakdaman writes: It is hard
at this stage to predict the outcome of these recent events ["Great
pain"]. This is only the most recent culmination of democratic
efforts against the clergy (a battle with over 150+ years of recorded and
bloody history) that begun long before the recent revolution of 1979 and
has accelerated since Khomeini's death ...
The question for the rest of us is: Will the language, culture and politics
of tolerance (not compromise) and the effort to define civil society in
the context of Iran grow (and perhaps prevail) in this round? Or will our
society swing from one extreme to the next? One way or another - even
if these recent events do not translate into the significant change we
all hope for - they will pave the way towards that goal ... FULL
TEXT
* Restless
Naghmeh writes: I feel so helpless
as I read the news about the Iranian students ["Great
pain"]. I was only nine years old during the Islamic revolution,
and now I feel the desperate need to be back in my homeland and take part
in what is happening. I have read article after article, listened to the
news, but still feel pretty restless. I don't know how other Iranians feel,
but I will keep all the hamvatans in my heart.
* Rallies: Demonstrations in U.S. in
support of student movement
- Washington: Saturday July 17, 3:30, George Washington University-Funger
Hall, Corner of "G" and 22nd Street. Organized by Solidarity
Committee with Students Movement for Democracy in Iran.
- Los Angeles: Thursday July 15, 5 pm, Wilshire Blvd, in front of the
Federal Building. Information: (310) 828-0404 and (818) 704-9825.
- San Francisco: Thursday July 15, 2-2 pm, Union Square. Call Persian
Radio 415-673-4726.
- New York: Friday July 16, 6:30 pm, Hamilton Hall , Room 602, Columbia
University, 116 th. Street & B'Way , Manhattan. Organized by Kanoon-e
Iran.
- San Jose: Thursday, 15, 12-2 pm, in front of Fairmont Hotel in
downtown.
Book of the Week
 The Stone
A Persia Legend of the Magi
By y Dianne Hofmeyr, Jude Daly (Illustrator)
This exquisitely illustrated story spins anew the famous tale of the
Magi. It is a retelling of the Persian legend, as told to Marco Polo in
the 13th century, whereupon three astronomers, Jasper, Melchior, and Balthasar,
who are also healers and holy men, follow a bright star in the sky to witness
the birth of a king. Upon greeting the child, the three men present gifts
of gold, incense, and myrrh. The child accepts their gifts, but also endows
the three men with his own offeringa stone. It proves to be a solid symbol
of belief that gives off a fervor of fire. Daly's illustrations perfectly
capture the arid landscapes and the starry night sky, and her intriguing
perspectives and inventive use of the page combine ancient, simplified
forms with more elegant lines. The book has broad appeal, giving a fresh
new shape and texture to a familiar story -- Kirkus Reviews ...
GO TO BOOK
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Bahram Bayzaie's unforgettable love story starring Parviz Fannizadeh,
Parvaneh Ma'sumi and Ali Keshavarz.
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May not be duplicated or distributed in any form
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news
Khamenei tells militia to crush unrest
TEHRAN, Iran (Reuters) - Iran's supreme leader has given free reign
to the Islamic youth militia Basij to crush the violent rioting which followed
a week of pro-democracy student unrest. ``My Basij children must reserve
the necessary readiness and be present at any scene they are needed to intimidate
and crush the base enemies,'' Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a message to
the nation late Tuesday ... FULL TEXT
Big rally backs Iran's Islamic system
TEHRAN, Iran (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of Iranians, many clutching
portraits of the late revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini,
marched through Tehran Wednesday in support of Islamic rule after six days
of growing unrest. The unity rally, called by the clerical establishment
and backed by most moderate groups, ended peacefully about two hours after
it began ... FULL TEXT
Security official says Iran could execute
rioters
TEHRAN, July 14 (Reuters) - A senior Iranian official cautioned
on Wednesday that some of those behind the recent violent disturbances in
Tehran could be executed. ``Those involved in the last days' riots, destruction
of public property and attacks against the system will be tried and punished
as moharaeb (those fighting God) and mofsed (those spreading corruption),''
said Hassan Rowhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council,
Iran's top security body ... FULL TEXT
Britain urges calm in Iran
LONDON, July 14 (Reuters) - Britain on Wednesday expressed concern
about the situation in Iran and urged security forces and demonstrators
in Tehran to avoid further violence. ``It is primarily a matter for the
Iranian people to resolve within Iran, but clearly we would urge all groups
in Iran to refrain from violence,'' Foreign Office junior minister Geoff
Hoon told parliament ... FULL TEXT
Iran warns countries backing social unrest
TEHRAN, July 14 (Reuters) - A top Iranian security official on
Wednesday warned foreign countries voicing support for Iran's current social
unrest that Tehran would retaliate. ``Speeches made by certain countries
about the events of the past several days will be recorded in our files,''
said Hassan Rouhani, the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council,
Iran's highest body dealing with internal and external security ... FULL
TEXT
Human rights group warns of excutions
July
14, (Iranian Human Rights Working Group) - Supreme Leader of the Islamic
Republic of Iran, in a statement issued at early hours of Wednesday 14th
July (local time), threatened all those who take part in these demonstrations
to the death penalty on charges of "fighting God" and "corruption
on earth". This means that all those who have already been arrested
are in danger of losing their lives on these bogus charges. We appeal to
all human rights groups and international bodies to help prevent perpetration
of this human tragedy ... FULL TEXT
U.S. hikes Iran wheat import forecast to
6 mln tons
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Iran's wheat imports could double in 1999/2000
to 6.0 million metric tons because of drought,the U.S. Agriculture Department
said Tuesday. In its monthly Grains: World Markets and Trade report, the
USDA said it had raised its previous 1999/2000 import forecast by 500,000
metric tons because the Iranian wheat crop would be even smaller than previously
expected ... FULL TEXT
New York University's taziyeh expert in
Iran
Tehran,
(Neshat) - Peter Chelkowski is a renowned expert on Islamic religious plays,
particularly taziyeh. Chelkowski who teaches at New York University, visited
Iran to take part in taziyeh arts festival. He spoke to Hamshahri's arts
correspondent ... FULL TEXT IN PERSIAN
National Orchestra to perform in Isfahan
Tehran, (Hamshahri) - The 95-member Iranian National Orchestra
will perform in Isfahan on July 20th. The lead vocalist will be Mohammad
Reza Shajarian. This is only the second time since the revolution that orchestra
is doing a public performance ... FULL TEXT IN PERSIAN
Persepolis loses star player
Tehran,
(Hamshahri) - Hamid Estili is no longer eligible to play for Persepolis.
An official body has ruled that he is the property of his old soccer team,
Bahman ... FULL TEXT IN PERSIAN
First equestrian in Olympics
Tehran,
(Iran daily) - Ali-Reza Nilforoushan has become the first Iranian ever to
qualify for an equestrian event at the Olypic games ... FULL TEXT IN PERSIAN
BBC
Persian Service
$ Rate
Updated July 13
Buying: 905-930 tomans per dollar
Selling: 935 tomans per dollar
Source: Sehaty Exchange (U.S.) Tel: 602-595-0777
Mention this code for a better rate:
FA 37 B
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The Web
Iran
Amir Abbas Hoveyda
Site dedicated to the late former prime minister by his
brother, Fereydoun Hoveyda. One of the very best Iranian historical sites.
Beyond Iran
The People's
Photos
"An archive of pictures found on the street by me and
you." Stop by and peruse the collection, a series of captured moments
of anonymous lives. Some of the photos are really quite striking.
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Quote Unquote
Zipper
The fact is that we have little ability any more to monitor what's happening
on the ground or influence events in Iran. And any time we open our mouths
about Iran, the hard-liners seize on it as evidence that we're trying to
interfere with their domestic politics.
-- Senior U.S. Administration official
New York Times
July 14, 1999
Photo of the Day
Protester
throws a stone at riot police
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