The Iranian Times

Friday, March 3, 2000 / Esfand 13, 1378, No. 930


Sehaty Foreign Exchange

Flower delivery in Iran

Iranian books


    Baba Taher


    Rights

Solidarity with students
American academics write to President Khatami

Interview by Jahanshah Javid
March 3, 2000
The Iranian

More than one hundred prominent academics in the United States, including the heads of more than ten universities, have written a letter to President Khatami expressing concern over the fate of hundreds of students arrested following last July's protests. Here's a an interview (in Persian / RealAudio) with Amir Soltani, the director of the Blue Initiative, the original author of the letter, followed by the letter itself. >>> GO TO FEATURE

Novel

Conspiracy at Desert One
A novel

By Bernace Charles
The Iranian

Chapter Twenty-Six >>> GO TO FEATURE


Outlook

Letter From Tehran
"Playing with Death"
How Akbar Ganji's fiery and courageous journalism helped change Iran's politics

By Scott MacLeod
With reporting by Azadeh Moaveni/Tehran
Time Magazine
March 6, 2000

With music still frowned upon,the Islamic Republic of Iran has no true pop stars. But Akbar Ganji is mobbed like one nearly everywhere he goes these days. When Iran's No. 1 muckraking journalist attended a lecture at Tehran University last month, students whistled and chanted his name until he went onstage and gave a speech. At an election rally featuring the country's most popular reform politicians, it was Ganji who brought down the house >>> FULL TEXT


    Anyway

Free Hejab Zone

A promotional photo from Iran's Free Trade Zone Service Ltd. Women with no Hejab? Hmmm... >>> GO HERE



More Letters

* I want justice, or else

Hamid Boroumand writes: [After the victory of the reformists in the Majlis elections] Mr. Khatami has NO EXCUSES when people such as I and my family press for justice:

Mr. Khatami, I want those responsible for the murder of Dr. Abdolrahman Boroumand arrested, prosecuted, and punished according to the Shari'a. Mr. Khatami, I want those responsible for stealing and selling-off my family's properties and assets arrested, prosecuted, and punished according to the Shari'a... and I want compensation -- in full -- for the damages my family has suffered. Mr. Khatami, I want a public apology for the manner in which my family, and many other Iranian families, have been treated over the past twenty years.

Mr. Khatami, I assure you that if this minimum of action is not instituted, you and your reform movement will find the Iranian people pointing you in the same direction as your predecessors- the direction of the garbage bin. I also assure you that I will NOT remove the pressure from you until justice has been served. Reform is not a slogan; it is a very real commitment to change.

I also want to take this opportunity to very publicly say: Mr. Khomeini (and everything that has followed since) has been the very worst thing to have ever afflicted Iran's recent history. The people of Iran could have arrived at this same point twenty years ago without pain and injustice, if it weren't for the misguided selfishness of that old man. The truth must be said, even if it hurts.

* Implausible

Brian Mottaghi writes: I am sending you this email in regards to "She changed overnight". Kasra claimst an Iranian woman married him supposedly for Green Card and then changed overnight after she got ot.

The story has several implausible premises. But the most obvious and amazingly stupid flaw of the story is the claim that his bride got her Green Card less than a year after marriage! Well, unless he and the rest of the non-immigrant population of America are dealing with two different INS, this claim does not even qualify as a good lie.

I am not saying that a lot of Iranians do not run into trouble when they marry virtual strangers half a world away and try to make a life with them. But publishing an email like Mr. Kasra's does not generate any sympathy for this group.

I guess the moral of his story is do not marry part-time prostitutes (his words , not mine) and expect a wholesome harmonious relationship.


Politics: Another anti-sanctions letter

Iranians for International Cooperation: The following is a letter to President Clinton urging him NOT to renew the executive orders in which he imposed sanctions on Iran. In order to truly effect President Clinton's decision in this regard, not only do we Iranians have to be vigilant in reminding The US government of the negative aspects of the sanctions, but we must also be proactive in showing the President OUR unity in opposing this repressive policy >>> GO HERE

SELL TICKETS ONLINE AT YOUR SITE


Books & Music from Iran

This week's new books from Iran include a fascinating history of the Iranian students confederation from 1953 to 1979, Simin Behbahani collected works,a critique of fascism in Iran by leading reform columnist Akbar Ganji , and >>> GO HERE

New music albums

* Taherzadeh, Manochehr: Aakharin barg * Eyvazi, Mohammad Reza. : Rangin kamaan * Banan.: Shaakh-e gol (2) * Ta'rif, Sadiq: Maah baanoo * Lachini, Fariborz: Paaeez-e talaaee ... >>> GO HERE

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Video

NEW: Champions: Iranian national soccer team

Three hours of interviews, trainings, matches, Biographies, and fans of Iranian National Soccer Team, covering Iran's soccer history from 1978-2000. Premium quality. Produced by: Alireza AmirGhasemi & Behrouz Deravi.

THE IRANIAN
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More news

Tehran police chief denies intensifying crackdown

TEHRAN, March 2 (Reuters) - Tehran's police chief denied on Thursday that "morals squads" have begun a new crackdown against young people and satellite television dishes, saying police were simply on increased alert for thieves and criminals. "Our increased presence is, in principle, to deal with thieves and common criminals... Concerning social vices, no new measures have been taken, we are just continuing the old trend," Brigadier General Mohsen Ansari told Reuters. >>> FULL TEXT

Can oil exporters ride the price boom?

LONDON, March 3 (Reuters) - The past year's near tripling in oil prices has some analysts worried about its effect on western economies. Yet, perhaps surprisingly, few oil nations in the developing world have cheered the price surge either. In contrast with the situation in the three oil shocks of the past 20 years, many openly share U.S. President Bill Clinton view that the price spike ``is a deeply troubling thing.'' >>> FULL TEXT

French banks look at pipeline finance

March 3, MEED -- The Geneva-based trading company Vitol and Hong Kong-based Federal Asia are negotiating with several French banks for a possible finance package for the proposed $360 million Neka-Tehran oil pipeline.>>> FULL TEXT

Iran lays on the classics for Italian foreign minister

TEHRAN, March 3 (AFP) - Iran will lay on its biggest concert of western classical music in 20 years for the visit of Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini, as European contacts with the new reformist parliament begin. The authorities have organised a major concert of classical music, featuring Italians Bellini, Corelli and Scarlatti, as well as Chopin and Lizst. >>> FULL TEXT

Rare

Tehran (Ettelaat) - Novelist Mahmoud Dolatabadi will make a rare appearance at Sharif University >>> FULL TEXT IN PERSIAN

Entertainment

Tehran (Ettelaat) - More street plays to be performed in Tehran this week >>> FULL TEXT IN PERSIAN

League

Tehran (Iran Varzeshi) - Esteqlal is in number one position. But that's because it has played more matches than second-place Persepolis. Plus the top goal scorers >>> FULL TEXT IN PERSIAN

Stabbed

Tehran (Iran Varzeshi) - Abdollah Veysi, a soccer player, in Isfahan has been stabbed >>> FULL TEXT IN PERSIAN

Women's basketball

Tehran (Iran Varzeshi) - Terhan's "Hejab" basketball team has won the national women's title >>> FULL TEXT IN PERSIAN


BBC

Persian Service

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Quote Unquote

How long?

Try to take in the wide shot: a group of reform-minded figures in Iranian politics, with varying ideologies, are talking completely candidly with thousands of people. Nothing is off limits. NOTHING. Not even the past failures of the panalists. In the front corner, a political prisoner is being approached by admiring people who want to shake his hand and to chat with him. I thought, Am I dreaming, or is this the new Iran? If it is the new Iran, how long will it last?

-- Siamak Namazi
"High hopes"
The Iranian
March 2, 2000


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