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Khayyam
Cover Story
Strategy for a constitutional reformer
Can Khatami and his supporters hold back the old guard?
By Saeed Barzin
President Khatami is a serious challenger to the status quo in Iran.
He is a constitutional reformist -- Qanun-gera va eslahtalab --
who seeks political change as the foundation for social progress. His statements
and actions have made it clear that he contributes to the view that non-constitutional
reforms, such as pragmatic relations with the West, economic development
or even an opening up of the political climate will not necessary provide
long-lasting solutions to the ills of Iranian society. His continuous emphasis
on the need for "law" stems from the view that "arbitrary"
government is the cause of the country's social instability.
These characteristics put Khatami within the ideological tradition which
has been trying, since the Constitutional Revolution, to introduce orderly
politics in place of Iran's tradition of arbitrary administration, violent
intrigue and mass rebellion. Should the elements which brought Khatami
to power endure, he might stay in office for two terms, as authorized by
the constitution. But his objectives and actions, as most observers would
agree, are alien to Iran's political traditions and, therefore, vulnerable...
GO TO FEATURE
Anyway
From a Christian evangelist
group on the Net gathering data on non-Christian ethnic groups for
future conversion:
The Qashqa'i are nomadic shepherds and hunters and treat their guests
with great hospitality. The Qashqa'i follow the Ithna Ashari sect of Shia
Islam, the state religion of Iran. Most Qashqa'i are not strong Muslims.
Iran is closed to missionaries, but one agency has a non-residential missionary
living nearby. Another agency has adopted the Qashqa'i for future ministry.
History
Revolution: 1979-1999
More Letters
* Iran is dead
Reza Velayati writes: I was four-years
old [when the revolutiona happened] and the images are in my mind as if
it was yesterday, everything we had was lost. I lost my identity, my country.
I was not a politician, only a child. If the revolution is so glorious
why did so many leave Iran? If Islamic values are so wonderful why are
most Iranian girls only interested in finding a rich husband? Whatever
happened to modesty? Why were innocent people killed for loving Iran? Why
were we forced to leave our home because we wanted what was best for the
people?... FULL
TEXT
* Taleban a threat to mankind, but...
Klaus Wichmann writes: All the critics
of Iran will love to see Iran having its Vietnam. Poor soldiers. In my
opinion the Taleban are a threat to mankind. They are the worst religious
barbarians the earth has seen, since the Christians in the dark ages. But
it would be wise not to launch a major war against them. Since the iranian
army is a proper army and the Taleban will evade any open battle, the Iranian
army can only loose... FULL TEXT
* "Adam barfi" ("The Snow Man) in Berkeley
San Francisco Cine Club and Iranian Film Society present: "Adam
barfi" ("The Snow Man). Monday Sept 28, fine art cinema, 2145
Shattuck Aave, In Berkeley, California. Show times:5:00, 7:00 and 9:00
pm.
New section
Music CDs
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news
IRNA journalists detailed
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Police detained a deputy
director and an editor of Iran's official news agency Tuesday after a hard-line
cleric filed a complaint with a Tehran court. Mohammad Reza Sadeq, the deputy
managing director of the Islamic Republic News Agency, and Ali-Reza Khosravi,
the social affairs editor, were detained following Mohsen Rafiqdoust's complaint
about a Sept. 13 IRNA report ... FULL TEXT
Saudi Arabia expels Afghan diplomat
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) -- Saudi Arabia
expelled the Afghan charge d'affaires Tuesday and recalled its representative
from Kabul, the official news agency reported. The Afghan envoy was ordered
to leave ``due to Saudi Arabia's national interests,'' the Saudi Press Agency
said ... FULL TEXT
U.S., Iran find common ground on Afghanistan
NEW YORK, Sept 21 (Reuters) - The United States
and Iran, at odds for almost two decades, are finding some common ground
on Afghanistan, where neither nation wants to see the Taleban, an Islamic
fundamentalist movement, exercise sole control of the country... FULL TEXT
Iran's Khatami seeks U.S. action, not words
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Iranian President
Mohammad Khatami challenged the United States Tuesday to match its new conciliatory
tone towards his country with action to end sanctions and to change its
Middle East policy... FULL TEXT
Iranian opposition exiles protest near
U.N.
NEW YORK, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Thousands of
Iranian exiles, chanting slogans and clad in bright yellow T-shirts, demonstrated
outside the United Nations on Monday as President Mohammad Khatami addressed
the U.N. General Assembly... FULL TEXT
Youth weightlifting team 2nd in Asia
TEHRAN (Hamshahri) - The national youth weight lifting
team took second place in Asian championships ... FULL TEXT IN PERSIAN
$ Rate
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Quote Unquote
Survival
Tarsoo hameesheh saalem ast.
(Fear keeps one from danger.)
From Simin Habibian's "1001 Persian-English Proverbs"
The Web
Pars
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Very impressive. Probably the best-designed Iranian entertainment
store on the Net.
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Shah of Shahs
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Vintage Books, 1992
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