The Iranian Times

Monday August 21, 2000 / Mordad 31, 1379, No. 1047


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Cover story

Tastes of paradise
Ode to forgotten flavors

By Laleh Kahlili
August 21, 2000
The Iranian

There are at moments of respite in Iran,when the three jobs most ordinary Iranians have to take to put bread on the table are momentarily forgotten at the end of the work-day (or night), and pleasures of the sense take over. And there are so many simple things upon which the senses can feast. Our voluptuous music seduces and our language dances on the tongue. The cool oceanic tiled surfaces of our public buildings invite the eyes to linger. We love to touch: from the tactile feast that is the bas-relief of Persepolis on silky black stone to the indulgence of vintage "termeh" fabrics handed down from family to family >>> GO TO FEATURE

Eyewitness


What happened in Tehran Saturday?

By Masoud Bahrami
August 19, 2000
The Iranian >>> GO TO FEATURE


Outlook

Khatami criticizes press crackdown

BBC Persian Service

President Khatami has refused to hold a general press conference on "Government Week" to show his displeasure with the mass closure of reformist newspapers. His speech was aired on Iranian TV (Go to four minutes and 25 seconds) >>> LISTEN HERE

Reformists in Iran set for new clash with conservatives

By Geneive Abdo
The Guardian
August 21, 2000

Iran's moves towards democratic rule, which began three years ago with the landslide victory of President Mohammad Khatami, appear little more than a fleeting moment in history now that conservatives have reasserted their control.

Hardliners in the judiciary have closed almost two dozen newspapers and journals. Nearly all the country's prominent reformist journalists have been imprisoned, prompting the Paris-based Reporters sans Frontieres to declare last week that Iran is the world's largest prison for journalists' >>> FULL TEXT

The Funny, but Fictional, Mullah

By SUSAN SACHS
The New York Times
August 21, 2000

CAIRO -- IN the classic Iranian children's tale, the fictional Mullah Nasreddin rode his donkey facing backwards but arrived at his destination all the same. He delighted in taking advantage of the villagers who, in their turn, poked fun at him. He ate a lot. He paid for nothing. The world, through his myopic and literal eyes, was a puzzlement.

"If I survive this life without dying," the wise fool of a clergyman once sighed, "I'd be surprised." >>> FULL TEXT

Tears, Cheers for an Iranian Icon's Return

By Don Heckman
Los Angeles Times
August 21, 2000,

It was, as many audience members kept repeating Saturday at the Great Western Forum, the performance of a lifetime in the comeback of a lifetime. Googoosh was back after more than 20 years of silence. Googoosh, the legendary Iranian singer whose appeal reached across generations, whose every move set fashion styles in the years before the revolution brought her career to a sudden halt >>> FULL TEXT

    Thanks to Kambiz


    Boxing ring

    International Haftegi: Reform movement at a crossroad >>> FULL PERSIAN TEXT

    Kayhan: Kayhan:Revisionist revolutionaries were rotten from the start, says Jalaledin Farsi >>> FULL PERSIAN TEXT


    Anyway

Grassroot journalism

ISNA, the official Iranian news agency's branch in colleges, has attracted hundreds of enthusiastic youth to journalism. Now the Ministry of Education is organizing a news agency for younger students. Let's hope they'll learn about objective journalism >>> SEE HERE



More Letters

* Lying is a habit

Farsheed Khosmood writes: Two years ago I was vacationing with my family in Cyprus. One day as we were riding in a taxi the Greek driver began to make unwelcome advances toward one of my mother's friends. As she was attempting to evade his proposed date later that evening, the taxi driver said "I am not Iranian, I do not lie." Later, he explained nonchalantly to me "Almost every Iranian I have met has lied."

Shahriar Zahedi in "We must lie" wrote, "it is safe to assume that there once existed among the Persians, a certain preoccupation with honesty and truthfulness..."

Well, my reply to this statement is an unequivocal no. There are two reasons why the famous Herodotus excerpt about Persian youth being taught to "ride, shoot and tell the truth" is misinterpreted >>> FULL TEXT

* Qorbunet beram elaahi!

Shirin Bazleh writes: Just got back from Googoosh concert in Los Angeles. We had great seats, thanks to my friend Kambiz's generous birthday present! It really was wonderful. Especially the interaction with the crowd. In the midst of a beautiful Turkish song she was singing, a middle aged tie-wearing man in the $500-ticket section screamed: "Qorbunet beram elaahi!"


Film: Farmanara's film in Montreal festival

At the 24th Montreal Film Festival 'The Smell Of Camphor, The Fragrance Of Jasmine' written & directed by Bahman Farmanara has been chosen for the official compettion. The festival will be held from August 25 to September 4 >>> DETAILS HERE


Books

.

,

The Art and Science of Leadership
By Afsaneh Nahavandi

.

Daaeratol ma-aaref-e sotoon-e panjom
By satirist Ebrahim Nabavi

THE IRANIAN
Bookstore
Music store


    Poetry

Translation of today's poem by Zara Houshmand:

If I die in this war, this combat with you,

I won't so much as sigh, for fear of troubling you.

I'll die with a smile, like a flower in your hand,

From the cruel charm with which you cut this wound
-- Rumi
Previous translations



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More news

Khatami: Sometimes powerless

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - President Mohammad Khatami said he regrets the closure of more than two dozen publications by hard-line rivals and admitted he is sometimes powerless to protect press freedoms in Iran's constitution >>> FULL TEXT

Khatami objects to US policy but no problem with Americans

TEHRAN, Aug 21 (AFP) - Iran objects to US policy towards the Islamic republic but has no problem with the American people, the state news agency IRNA reported President Mohammad Khatami as saying on Monday >>> FULL TEXT

Two women editors in press court

TEHRAN, Aug 21 (AFP) - The editors of two magazines, both of them women, appeared in press court Monday to face charges ranging from defamation to publishing anti-Islamic propaganda >>> FULL TEXT

Conservative papers refuse to reveal circulation figures

TEHRAN, Aug 20 (AFP) - At least eight conservative Iranian newspapers have ignored an order by the culture ministry to make public their print runs, the Hamshahri daily reported on Sunday >>> FULL TEXT

Iran may ban cops from campus

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iranian lawmakers approved a draft bill Sunday that would ban police from entering universities without permission, a central issue since security forces and Islamic vigilantes stormed a dormitory last year and beat up students >>> FULL TEXT

Iran court split on charges vs Jews

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - A three-judge appeals court reviewing the jail terms of 10 Iranian Jews convicted of spying for Israel is divided on whether all the charges constituted crimes, a senior judicial official said in comments reported Monday >>> FULL TEXT

Majority of Iranian girls wish they were boys

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Fifty-three percent of Iranian girls interviewed in a recent survey said that if they could be born again they would prefer to be boys, a newspaper reported on Sunday >>> FULL TEXT

Japanese energy delegation arrives in Tehran

TEHRAN, Aug 21 (AFP) - A Japanese delegation arrived in Tehran Monday for two days of meetings with Iranian officials, state radio said, in what are the first-ever high-level direct energy talks between the two nations >>> FULL TEXT

Iran says it makes big oil, gas find

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran has made new discoveries of 1.07 billion barrels of oil and 800 billion cubic feet of gas, an energy official was quoted on Sunday as saying >>> FULL TEXT

Iran says it holds up to three billion barrels of oil in Caspian

TEHRAN, Aug 21 (AFP) - Iran said Monday that the oil reserves in its part of the Caspian Sea amount to between 2.5 and three billion barrels, state radio reported >>> FULL TEXT

Private TV: Yes or no?

Tehran (Hamshahri) -- The debate over the creation of private TV stations continues. State TV chief Ali Larijani has given his (tentative) blessings, but many questions remain >>> FULL PERSIAN TEXT

Rezaie's emphasis on hope

Tehran (Iran daily) -- Reza Karam Rezaie, veteran man of the theater, is currently directing a play based loosely on one of Unesco's plays. "I've dealt with hope and happiness rather than death," he says. An Interview >>> FULL PERSIAN TEXT

Tourism: Iran safe to visit?

Tehran (Hamshahri) -- Some 40 percent of foreign tourists consider Iran a safe country to visit, while 48 percent say it is "somewhat safe", according to a survey >>> FULL PERSIAN TEXT

Esteqlal thrash Rasht

TEHRAN, August 18 (Iran Sports Press) -- With video: Esteghlal Tehran thrashed Esteghlal Rasht 6-1 on Friday at Azadi Stadium in the third week of the Azadegan League. Esteghlal, packed with more firing power this season then previous two season combined, easily dominated and defeated the young Esteghlal team from Rasht >>> FULL TEXT

Penalty goal gives Persepolis win

AHVAZ, August 18 (Iran Sports Press) -- With video: A penalty kick enabled Persepolis to edge by Fulad Khuzestan 1-0 on Friday at Takhti Stadium. In scorching heat of 45 celsius, both teams failed to put forth an attractive and exciting performance >>> FULL TEXT

Azizi gives Quakes rare against DC United

WASHINGTON, August 19, 2000 (Iran Sports Press) -- Rookie goalkeeper Jon Conway's outstanding effort and Khodadad Azizi's 53rd-minute goal led the San Jose Earthquakes to a rare road victory, 1-0 at D.C. United, on Saturday night at RFK Stadium >>> FULL TEXT


BBC

Mostazafan to be re-structuerd

Bonyad-e Mostazafan, a powerful economic foundation is to be re-structured. Its new consitution provides for a delition of middle and high ranking managers and a closer scrutiny of its affair. Daryoush Homai asks Dr Bahman Arman, economist, his insight on the issue: >>> LISTEN HERE

BBC Persian Service


Exchange rate

Updated August 16

Buying: 813 to 816 tomans per dollar

Selling: 822 to 828 tomans per dollar

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Business news


The Web

Iran

Soothing music

"Mehdi's extraordinary instrumental music is an extended adventurous journey with many multi-cultural influences. Consider it a tool to quiet the mind, soothe the soul and alleviate stress."

Beyond Iran

Impressionism

"Bonjour mes amis, I will be your guide on your tour of impressionism," begins this introduction to what was once a controversial art movement. Travel in a pop-up window with the cartoon boulevardier from salon to cafe, read selected artists' biographies, and best of all, enjoy the paintings.

More web sites


Quote Unquote

Smarter than Spaniards

At the end of the term of the present parliament free elections would be organized with the participation of candidates from all parties. In the summer of 1979. And I would empower as prime minister the head of the winning party or coalition according to the Constitution. Our people are not less educated and able than the Spanish!

-- Fereydoun Hoveyda
"Free elections, 1979"
The Iranian
August 18, 2000


Photo of the Day

Googoosh in Los Angeles


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Nikbakht & Martone

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