THE IRANIAN
TIMES
Monday, March 30, 1998
Farvardin 10, 1377
No. 445
Abu Saeed
Headlines
* Iran-U.S.: No plan for U.S. diplomats in Tehran
* Oil: Total aims at Iranian oil, ignores U.S.
* Cover: Aldoush and The Human
Exchange
* Sports: Iran wrestlers due in U.S.
*
Dollar: Up to 510-515 tomans
* Music: Mohammad Reza Shajarian
* Photo: Last few relatives of donkeys
Index
* Iran-U.S.: Symposium * Features: Dueling * News: Norway/Rushdie * Economy: Total * Dollar: Up to 510 * Women: Nose job * The press: Protection * Sports: Wrestlers * Arts: Manuscripts * The Web: DVI radio * Academic: Sufism lecture |
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THE WEB
* Democratic Voice of Iran: Opposition radio station based abroad. Claims to be an independent organisation "striving for the voice of the democracy-loving Iranians to be heard." It has daily 30-minute news... programs. //www.dvi.org... Thanks to Taji Azar <taji.azar@virgin.net>
* Daftar-e Tablighaat-e Eslami: "Founded in 1973 and based in Iran, the Islamic Culture Propagation Office is a major publisher of Islamic books. One of our main objectives is to shed light on and bring greater familiarity with the Islamic Shi'ite tradition." Includes links to Ayatollah Lankarani who supposedly will respond to religious questions. //www.islamcpo.com... Thanks to Payman Arabshahi
Any interesting web sites you would like to suggest?
Email us at Times@iranian.com
IRAN-U.S.
* Iran says no U.S. plan for diplomat in Tehran, (Reuters) - Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said on Monday U.S. hostility to his country had not changed and dismissed reports Washington had proposed basing a U.S. diplomat in Tehran... full text
* Mobil chairman offers policy options on Iran sanctions, (BUSINESS WIRE) - Mobil Corp. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Lucio A. Noto commended the U.S. State Department for its efforts to develop rational standards for the use of sanctions by the U.S. government. Citing the changes that are occurring in Iran, Noto said that the U.S. has, "a unique opportunity to engage with that nation now. President Khatami was democratically elected and has signaled a willingness for dialogue with the U.S. The U.S. should send some positive signals of its own back to Iran." ... full text
* Iran-symposium in Los Angeles: "Totally neutral," (Los Angeles Times, March 28) - The World Affairs Council of Orange County will host a symposium April 2 addressing the two-decade standstill on diplomatic relations between the United States and Iran. Panel members will discuss whether U.S. and Iranian officials should resume a dialogue that ended in 1979 with the hostage crisis. Both sides of the debate will be addressed equally, and the World Affairs Council will not take sides. "The council is not advocating anything. It is totally neutral," said Sir Eldon Griffiths, president. Featured guests will include Hadi Nejad Hosseinian, Iran's United Nations representative. University instructors, a former U.S. hostage, past ambassadors and corporate leaders are among the other panelists... click for details
FEATURES
* Dueling Mullahs: Iran's Gladhander Takes on the Leader, (New York Times) - In his seven months as president, Khatami has eaten with government employees in the cafeteria of the presidency and visited shops, schools, hospitals and food ration lines -- all unannounced. Political gimmicks? Yes. An effort to enlist popular support behind his ideas? Of course. But the most interesting thing about these populist maneuverings is that they underscore a crisis within Iran's unique, often mystifying power structure... full text
* Bahai Faith a Celebration of Diversity, (Los Angeles Times) - Queen Marie of Romania was a Bahai. Dizzy Gillespie was too. So are Seals and Croft. The very diversity of those personalities exemplifies the Bahai faith, which is about embracing diversity, adherents say. The Bahai faith, which is represented in more than 200 countries, is the world's second-most widespread religion, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica. Only Christians are more globally far-flung. While Ventura County Bahais, numbering just under 500, aren't as numerous as members of more mainstream religions, they meet all over the region... full text
NEWS
* Iran condemns Norway for Rushdie meeting, (Reuters) - Iran has warned that continued contacts between Norwegian officials and British writer Salman Rushdie might further damage relations between the Islamic republic and Norway. The warning was made by foreign ministry spokesman Mahmoud Mohammadi late on Sunday after Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik met Rushdie in Oslo on Friday... full text
* Iran rejects Israel's Lebanon offer, (Ha'aretz) - Iran joined Syria Saturday in opposing an Israeli offer to withdraw its forces from Lebanon in exchange for security guarantees. Iran is a close ally of Syria and backs the Hezbollah militia which is fighting the Israel Defense Forces in southern Lebanon... full text
ECONOMY
* Total aims at Iranian oil, ignores US threat, (Reuters) - French oil company Total (TOTF.PA), undeterred by the threat of U.S. sanctions, said on Monday it hopes to win new concessions in Iran as the Islamic Republic opens precious oil and gas developments to foreign companies. The French oil major, already heavily involved in Iran, was studying some of a string of oil and gas projects recently listed by Tehran as open to outside investment, said Christophe de Margerie, president of Total's Middle East section... full text
* Mobil chairman offers policy options on Iran sanctions, (BUSINESS WIRE) - Mobil Corp. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Lucio A. Noto commended the U.S. State Department for its efforts to develop rational standards for the use of sanctions by the U.S. government. Citing the changes that are occurring in Iran, Noto said that the U.S. has, "a unique opportunity to engage with that nation now. President Khatami was democratically elected and has signaled a willingness for dialogue with the U.S. The U.S. should send some positive signals of its own back to Iran." ... full text
DOLLAR RATE
Up to 510-515 tomans
* To send money to Iran, the rate is 510-515 tomans per dollar, depending on how much you wish to send.
* To send money out of Iran, the rate is 520 tomans per dollar.
Source: Sehaty Foreign Exchange, call in U.S.: 602-595-0777 or 500-288-8881. Preferntial rates for readers of The Iranian Times. Mention this code: BAJ 07
WOMEN
* Iranian women get a nose for western look, (Sunday Times) - Take a close look at Neda Ebadi's nose and you can just make out the small scar left by surgery five years ago. Although she has lived in France since the Iranian revolution in 1979, she chose a clinic in her native Tehran rather than a Paris hospital to have a piece taken off the tip and some cartilage removed from the bridge."All my friends were teasing me about my nose," said Ebadi, 38. "They made me feel awful. Even my mother wanted me to have it fixed." ... full text
THE PRESS
* 1998 Iran report, Committe for Protection of Journalists: The May election of reformist cleric Mohammad Khatemi as president was cause for a modest degree of optimism. After taking office, Khatemi called for an end to censorship of books, newspapers, and other publications. Initial reports indicate the government has in fact eased the practice and has also granted licenses to dozens of new publications while allowing previously banned publications to resume publishing. To what extent KhatemiÕs liberal ideals can effect change remains to be seen in 1998... full text
ARTS
* On display at the Freer Gallery, Washington, DC: "The Seven Thrones: A Princely Manuscript From Iran," through March 29; Open daily 10 to 5:30. Jefferson Drive and 12th Street SW. 202/357-2700 (TDD: 202/357-1729).
* Iranian films in Washington DC: A festival of some recent Iranian films is planned in Washington, DC, during March/April 1998. The films are shown at the 300-seat Meyer Auditorium of the Freer Gallery. Tickets are free and can be obtained (up to two per person) on a first-come-first-served basis one hour prior to the program. Films being shown: March 8/13: Leila (Dariush Mehrjui), March 20/22: Det Means Girl (Abolfazl Jalili), March 27/29: Gabbeh (Mohsen Makhmalbaf), April 3: Beyond Fire (Kianoush Ayyari), April 5: A True Story (Jalili), April 17: The Abadanis (Kiarostami), April 26: Taste of Cherries (Kiarostami).
* "Taste of Cherry" U.S. screen schedules from the official Zeitgeist Film site... click here...Thanks to Payman Arabshahi <payman@fermi.jpl.nasa.gov>
THE IRANIAN
Aldoush and The Human Exchange
Home is where the music is
By J. Javid
The theory goes that music in Iran is more genuine because artists get inspiration from the surrounding culture. You have to be Iranian, in Iran, and with Iranians to create Iranian music that has depth and lasting quality, they say. That's why so many musicians who were successful while in Iran, lost it when they left for Euorpe and America. Listening to Aldoush & The Human Exchange pretty much shatters that theory... go to feature
THE IRANIAN Cover Stories
NOSTALGIA
SPORTS
* Iran wrestlers due in U.S., (Reuters) - A team of Iranian wrestlers will leave Tuesday for an international competition in the United States, Iran's official news agency IRNA said Monday. The U.S. visit by the Iranian national team, which follows a groundbreaking trip to Tehran by an American team in February, has been opposed by some conservative critics of moderate President Mohammad Khatami... full text
* Agassi loses final to new tennis No. 1, (Reuters) - Chile's Marcelo Rios claimed the world number one ranking Sunday with a superb 7-5 6-3 6-4 win over Andre Agassi, a former world number one, in the final of the Lipton Tennis Championships. Rios became the first South American to reach the top of the rankings and the 14th player to achieve number one status in the 25-year history of the ranking system... full text
"Dream Team" IRAN -- World Cup tickets now available!
Sportestan
Publishing (USA)
ish@sportestan.com
Tel: 650-473-9792
SATIRE
You reporter!
* Favorite accusations from the conservative press againt reformist rivals ... click here
Got something to make us smile?
Send it to Times@iranian.com
POETRY
* Fereydoun Moshiri on CD
Fereydoun Moshiri's poetry reading last October in Berkeley, California, is now available on CD. For more information and orders, contact Radio Havaye Tazeh at: 415-673-4726.
* Contest
Omar Khayyam Poetry Society invites you to enter our poetry contest. Prizes: First place $100, Second $75, Third $50. Winners will be announced and printed in THE IRANIAN in June 1998.
Subject: Longing places, memories, love
Format: Poems must be in English and emailed to <matteof@msn.com>. Include your name, address and phone number.
Deadline: May 10, 1998
Entry fee: $5 for up to three poems. You may send cash or check payable to R. Macroberts. Send to 1045 Walnut Grove, Rochester Hills, MI 48306, USA.
QUESTION
Iran during World War II
I am an American documentary film maker. For the past six years we have been collecting stories and film about the "Bridge to Victory" supply route that crossed Iran from the Persian Gulf to the Caspian during WWII. We have lots of interviews and material from the military perspective but need more about how the "occupation" of Iran affected the people (in the vein of "Savashun" by Daneshavar). Anyone with ideas is welcome to contact me at: INTERNECT@msn.com or PO Box 404, Rockville, MD, 20848-0404, USA. Thanks.
Rob Burgener
Producer/Director
LETTERS
* Out of place
I read bruce Bahmani's article "Road to victory!" I was appalled by The Iranian Times' choice to broadcast statements such as: "Even the revolution was a competition of sorts, if you think about it. Just another guy pissed off at another guy for riding around in a cooler car!". I will and should keep my comments on the articles overall tone.
No matter where one may sit (or stand) in the political spectrum, I don't think the revolution or events following it would be surmised with such offhand remarks. I understand and respect Mr. Bahamani's right to his opinions and hope to share his enthusiasm for Iran's success in the upcoming World Cup. I also respect and appreciate your role to refer your readers to his article. However, to promote and place the article amongst your headlines and other articles is an editorial judgment I don't understand. Nader Pakdaman
* Swedish admirer
I really must bring you my full admiration for your ability to compose such a nice musical section. I´m married to an Iranian women since the mid 80's and I´m very much into Iranian culture, though I´m a Swede all over. I speak Farsi and love the ways you are able to express you feelings in a musical way. I often listen to your selection while surfing on the net. Rolf GT Olsson <rolf.gt@mail.bip.net>
LOST & FOUND
Alborz College
I would like to get in touch with classmates and friends from the following schools: Alborz College, Tehran, 1966 - 1969. Copford Glebe School, Copford, Colchester,Essex, England 1969-1970. Farzam Partovi <f.partovi@in-it.demon.co.uk>
BOOKSTORE
Book of the week
Barnameh-ye enerji-ye atomi-ye iran, talash-ha va tanesh-haa
Foundation for Iranian Studies, 1997. Available from Iranbooks.
A history of Iran's Atomic Energy Program as told by Akbar Etemad, the
first head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, edited by Gholam Reza
Afkhami.
See feature in THE IRANIAN. Click here
THE IRANIAN Bookstore
ACADEMIC
* Davis on Sufism and Sufi poetry: The Department of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton University Presents: Lecture by Professor Dick Davis, professor of Judaic and Near Eastern Languages and Literatures at Ohio State University, titled "SUFISM AND SUFI POETRY". Date/time: Thursday, April 2, 1998 at 8:00 pm. Address: The Woodrow WIlson School, Bowl 5.
* Symposium on Iran, in Houston: The James III Baker Institute of Rice University, Houston, Texas, is organizing a symposium on Iran, April 2, 1998. The speakers include Congressman Lee Hamilton, Hooshang Amirahmadi of Rutgers University, and Bruce Ridel, Special Advisor to President Clinton.
ENTERTAINMENT
Poetry & Music, San Francisco
April 4, 1998 Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco -- XDOT 25 Productions Concert Series:
* Hafez Modirzadeh on soprano, alto sax, ney, karna * Habib Khan on sitar * Yussi on accoustic guitar * Alan Koushan on santour * Tim Witter on tabla & Percussion * Michael Lewis on tabla * Koorosh Angali on keyboard, poetry reciting * Indian classical vocalist Shafqat Ali Khan * And dance performance by Shahrzad * Tickets $15 & $20 * Get your tickets by telephone. Call 800-710-8600
PHOTO OF THE DAY
Last 800
* The last surviving onagers (similar to donkeys) ... full image
Got any interesting photos?
Send
them to Times@iranian.com
MUSIC
* Mohammad Reza Shajarian, "Chant accompanied by ney"
(Get RealAudio)
Greatest pop CDs ON SALE!
QUOTE UNQUOTE
Facing extinction: Persian nose
Cosmetic surgery of all sorts, from face-lifts to breast enlargements, is booming in Iran, but nose jobs are by far the most popular. In Tehran alone, about 60 surgeons perform 300 operations a week. At £800 - compared with up to £6,000 in Europe or America - the operation is relatively cheap. The curved Persian nose is now considered unsightly within Iran. Surgery has become so common that an original nose is almost a rarity in affluent circles.
Colin Barraclough
"Iranian
women get a nose for western look"
The Sunday Times, London
March 28, 1998
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