President Khatami was in Rome for the Pope’s funeral. Smiles and handshakes all round. <a href=”

http://www.christiantoday.com/news/miss/314.htm

“>Here, however, is the reality of the country he heads:

“Christian Persecution watchdog groups are protesting the upcoming trial of an Iranian church leader of an Assemblies of God congregation in the southern port city of Bandar-i-Bushehr in Iran. The lay pastor, 47-year-old Hamid Pourmand, is to go before a Sharia court next week on charges of apostasy from Islam and proselytising Muslims. The former charge is punishable by death.”

Hat-tip <a href=”

http://hurryupharry.bloghouse.net/archives/2005/04/07/peaceful_coexistence.php

“>Harry