Iran News Round Up

Diplomacy

Ali Rabi’i, an Iranian academic, says life in the third world is difficult if there are no imaginary enemies.
(E) Iran says U.S. Congresswomen seek talks with Iranian parliament.
Ahmadinejad, speaking in Zanjan: “Should anyone attack Iran, I’ll cut their hands and feet with knifes made in Zanjan!”
(E) U.S. university presidents touring Iran may meet Ahmadinejad.
According to Houshang Amirahmadi, head of the American-Iranian Council, U.S.-Iran relations are on the verge of “activation.”
Ahmadinejad: “Liberation of Palestine is a divine promise which undoubtedly will materialize.”

Politics

Acting Interior Minister Sadeq Mahsouli wins vote of confidence (138 for, 112 against, 20 abstentions) in parliament.
Disagreement as to what constitutes a parliamentary majority when it comes to appointment of ministers.
Ahmadinejad, speaking in favor of Mahsolui’s appointment:
“I have known [Mahsouli] since 1978… In the period when only problematic elements and servants of the foreigners [university professors] resisted the Revolution, he was one of the elements who was engaged in struggle in the frontline at the university and outside, and he also played a decisive role during the Sacred Defense [Iran-Iraq war].”
In opposition to Mahsouli, Parliamentarian Falahat-Pisheh asks: “How did you gain monopolies in the oil sector and how many other people in this country have such monopolies? Such monopolies are prohibited by law and only the Oil Ministry is allowed to have such monopolies.”
Mahsouli stressed his background in the security agencies: “I was appointed governor when I was 21-years old. At 22, I was appointed military governor of Western Azerbaijan province, a province whose greatest worry is security matters… In the Revolutionary Guards, I was chief of Operational Zone 5, where I was charged with the task of fighting brigands and patrol the frontier. I also aided formation of the Ashoura Army.”
Kargozaran publishes an interview about the so called Urumiyeh Ring, among whom are several close friends of Ahmadinejad. The widow of Bakeri, a founder of the local IRGC unit which was instrumental in suppressing Kurdish separatists, says Sadeq Mahsouli and Ahmadinejad sought to purge the Bakeri brothers from the Guards.
According to Alef News Agency, the reformist camp is worried about a lack of popular support for Khatami, and that the nickname “Hatami” – combination of Hashemi [Rafsanjani] and Khatami – is dangerous sign.

Economy

(E) Economy Minister: Iran not converting reserves to gold.
Hojjat al-Eslam Rowhani, speaking at the Young Producers’ Assembly, criticized the role of the armed forces in privatization efforts: “We wanted to free the country of the large public sector directing the economy…but what happens is that semi-public institutions enter the race when we try to privatize…and even worse, we see semi-military institutions do the same…What kind of privatization is this?”

Trade

(E) Iran to issue $1 billion Eurobond to attract foreign investment.

Energy

Taxi drivers protest limitations placed on filling schedules by natural gas deliverer NPG.
Hojjat al-Eslam Rowhani, head of the Research Center of the Expediency Council, criticizes mismanagement of the oil revenue.

Military and Security

The Islamic Republic Shipping Company does not contact Somali pirates who have hijacked a ship leased by Iran.
Seven Iranian citizens are onboard the ship.
(E) Iran says it could triple naval forces during time of war/

Religion, Culture, and Society

(E) Orchestra to commemorate Iranian constitution.

Human Rights and Labor

Abbas Amir-Entezam, spokesman of the transitional government between the Shah’s departure and Khomeini’s return, back in Evin prison after several years of leave.
Ali Mazroui, president of the Journalist’s union in Iran, says the world economic crisis will deteriorate the plight of Iranian workers.
Incarceration rate: 215 per 100,000.
(E) Iran criticizes Canada’s human rights record.

Nuclear Iran