Farah Diba's Norouz message published in Iranian newspaper
TEHRAN, April 3 (AP) - An Iranian newspaper published on Saturday part
of a New Year message from the country's former empress, the first time
she has been quoted here since the 1979 Islamic Revolution which toppled
her husband, the Shah.
"(Ex-Empress) Farah Diba has sent a New Year message to the people
of Iran. The text was sent to the newspaper by fax," wrote the moderate
paper Zan, run by Faezeh Hashemi who is the daughter of former President
Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.
"In the coming third millennium, our ancient Iran will begin a
new glorious period by the efforts of its worthy children," the paper
quoted her as saying.
Iran's press has enjoyed more freedom since the 1997 election of President
Mohammad Khatami.
Now, however, reformist newspapers are coming under growing attack from
religious conservatives, who accuse them of abusing the new atmosphere
of greater tolerance.
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