(Thanks to Ali Alfoneh for his compilation)

Politics: General

  • In his Friday Prayer sermon, Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani condemns recent attacks against Seyyed Hassan Khomeini and said: “Such attacks weaken the foundation and sanctities of the regime… [and] are part of a conspiracy.”
  • In a direct challenge to the IRGC, Rafsanjani said: “There is surely nothing wrong in Hassan Khomeini’s criticism of the Revolutionary Guards intervention in politics.”
  • Grand Ayatollah Hassan Sane’i expresses his support to Hassan Khomeini.
  • So does Hezb-e Javanan, reformist youth organization.
  • Former president Khatami vice president Abtahi explores the roots of the attacks against Khomeini.
  • Tehran Branch of the Judiciary initiates a new process against Rafsanjani protégé, Mousavian, the former nuclear negotiator accused of espionage for Great Britain.
  • “In our understanding, principalism is much more comprehensive than certain groupings,” says IRGC chief Ja’fari.

Politics: March 2008 Parliamentary Elections

  • Mousavi Lari, spokesman of the reformist alliance, says reformist participation in elections takes place “under protest,” and says only a quarter of reformist candidates have qualified for parliamentary elections.
  • Mar’ashi reports the name of reformist candidates who passed the Council of Guardians’ screening process: Javad Eta’at, Tajgardoun, Qodrat-Allah Ali-Khani, Sha’ban-Poor, Vaziri, Khas-Ahmadi, Moghim-Poor, Mokhtari, Kiyan-Ersi, Jelodar-Zadeh and Eshraghi.
  • Ali Fallahian, former intelligence minister, forms the Progressive Principalist faction.
  • General Secretary of the E’temad Melli [National Trust] Party: “If we boycott the elections we will be doing a favor to those who do not believe in superiority of the parliament.”
  • Fars News publishes the final candidate list for Mazandaran and Gilan provinces.

Diplomacy

  • Three former IRGC members deliver public condolences to Imad Mughniyeh’s family and the people of Lebanon: Mohsen Rezai, Tehran mayor Qalibaf and Ali Larijani.
  • So does Ahmadinejad in an open letter to Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah.
  • Syrian vice minister of foreign affairs: “Terror of Mughniyeh is a great loss to Syria… Iran/Syria bilateral relations are as firm as a mountain.”
  • Mother of Imad Mughniyeh: “I wish I had other children to sacrifice as martyrs.”
  • Rafsanjani praised the efforts of the Non-Aligned Movement to postpone U.N. Security Council resolutions against Iran.
  • Addressing the U.S. and Europe, Rafsanjani said: “Let’s negotiate the nuclear issue. You will regret it if you pass more sanctions.”
  • Iran’s ambassador to Moscow: “We are not engaged in manufacture of ballistic missiles.”
  • Iranian Minister of Justice condemns screening of movie critical of some aspects of Islam on Dutch television.
  • Lebanese Shi’a authority Mohammad-Hossein Fadlallah: “The world would be a better place without the barbaric terror of the Zionists and the U.S.”
  • Adds: U.S. is doing its utmost to worsen Iran/Arab relations.
  • Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, in a meeting with Hamas leader Khalid Misha’al: “2008 will be the year of the victory of the resistance and [a year of fear for] the Zionist regime.”
  • Iran and Iraq reach an agreement to increase visa issuance to pilgrims to Shi’a shrines from 3,000 to 5,000 visas per day.

Economy and Trade

Human Rights and Labor

  • 15-year-old Mohammad-Reza Haddadi to be executed after a confession his parents say was coerced.
  • Semi-official Diplomasi-ye Irani paints a positive picture of Iraq under the headline: “The New Iraq, Different than what the media reports:”
  • “If we travel to Iraq, we will clearly see that what is seen is a great deal different than what we hear, meaning that the reality, in contrast to what the media want to impress upon us that Iraq is an unsafe country and the people live in great unhappiness and misery, is not true. Some time ago, I traveled to Iraq by land. Let me say this openly: Before taking the trip, influenced by what I heard from the media, I thought that from the very beginning of the border, roadside bombs and paramilitary groups would threaten my life. I also had a trip to Iraq four months after the collapse of the Ba’ath regime, and therefore I have the advantage of making comparative analysis. The Mehran border point has changed a lot over four years, when it was a barren desert. The government of Iran has made a suitable atmosphere with service functions such as taxis for transport from Mehran city to the border, medical services, and an acceptable waiting room, which protects the pilgrims to a certain degree. When we pass the border, we enter Iraqi territory. There are tolerable conditions for pilgrims inside Iraqi territory, and tired and dusty we begin a difficult journey to the very end. But things change. After a while we reach the Iraqi border control, and are asked to stand in a long line where we were inspected by the Iraqi border guards who looked through our baggage. If there is an Iraqi citizen returning to Iraq, the border guards show him the greatest signs of respect and allow him to jump the long line. There are also American soldiers who control the passage of travelers with their big dogs, but their behavior is not the least disrespectful towards the pilgrims, and they are well-mannered. When they control the passports of Iranian travelers, they show full respect and welcome them. Inside Iraqi territory, military patrols intensify. After asking a couple of questions I understand that the U.S. commander in Iraq, David Petraeus is near the Mehran border to monitor the security situation more closely. But increased security measures do not result in bad behavior of U.S. soldiers towards the passengers. There is the constant sound of helicopters above us; it is clear that the situation is not normal. When we enter Iraq, unlike the last time that I visited the country, when misery and destitution was palpable, the situation is different. I still remember the happy faces and the jokes of Iraqi inspectors and Iraqi police, and after a journey of one to three and half hours, I have not experienced one instance of disrespect or harsh behavior. You also see the simple and relaxed behavior among the normal Iraqi population. The humor of the restaurant owners, fellow passengers and people in general is not much different than the police. Few people seem depressed. When you talk to people, you get the impression that the situation has improved and that the people believe in future. But, of course, this might only be the situation in the south, which is safer than other places. It seems that the economic crisis is also over, so people have time to live the good life…”

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