FDI's Weekly Newswire

The life and [troubled] times of the Islamic Republic of Iran

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FDI WEEKLY NEWSWIRE NO 20

Sept. 16, 1996

At a meeting of the Karaj Security Council, the Governor General delivered a scathing evaluation of the Law Enforcement Forces. "The Tehran LEF have been unable to provide security for Tehran and its suburbs. If this situation goes on, there will be no other solution but to ask the Revolutionary Guards Corps and the Bassij force to ensure security in Tehran and its suburbs." [Iran 9/14]

The following day, Kayhan and Abrar published statements by the Deputy Commander of the Rev. Guards, Brigadier General Rahim Safavi, announcing a new round of military maneuvers to be held from Sept. 21-24 near Karaj.

The maneuvers, code-named "Sarallah" (the Blood of God), were be part of larger military exercises to be staged in more than a dozen Iranian cities, Safavi said.

The Sarallah maneuvers were intended "to show the combat capabilities of the Rev. Guards, to improve command and control, and to show the loyalty of the Rev. Guards to the political leadership of the Islamic Republic," Safavi said. Some 50,000 Rev. guards personnel would take part in the Sarallah exercise, including units from the Protection and Intelligence Department.

This is the first time the Islamic Republic has announced the inclusion of Intelligence brigades in a maneuver aimed at controlling urban areas. [Abrar, Kayhan, 9/15]

Salam criticizes Rev. Guards leaders

In a lead editorial, Salam daily has criticized top commanders of the Revolutionary Guards Corps for seeking to play a "dominant role" in Iranian domestic politics.

Senior Rev. Guards commanders "believe they have a right to interfere with the political affairs of the country. But we believe that this is against the Constitution of the Islamic Republic, and that those commanders should understand that their behavior is contrary to the Constitution."

The editorial appeared in the same issue as an interview with Rev. Guards Commander Maj. Gen. Mohsen Rezai, during a two-day military exercise near Tabriz involving 40,000 Rev. Guards and Basiji troops.

Asked why he had become so involved in the Majlis elections, despite the Constitutional prohibition on political activity by members of the armed forces, Rezai replied: "At any time, if the factional and political disputes get to a point that endanger the essence of revolution and the system of the Islamic Republic, the revolutionary forces including Hezbollah and Basij will feel obliged to defend the revolution." [Salam 9/14]

warns U.S. against military action

Rev. Guards commander Mohsen Rezai made more news last week, this time by issuing a stern warning to the United States. The Islamic Republic and the U.S. were locked into a "face-to-face struggle in the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Caucuses", he said.

Until now, however, "the United States has not succeeded in the struggle against Iran," Rezai said. "If the U.S. wins, it would establish its sovereignty in the region overnight, and U.S. troops would be stationed up to the borders of Russia." [Tehran Times 9/14]

The Tehran Times also quoted the deputy commander of the Rev. Guard Ground Forces for Intelligence and Operations, Brig. Gen. Rahim Ebrahimi, as warning the U.S. against any aggression against the Islamic Republic. Iranian military forces have been at a "red alert" since US defense Secretary Perry threatened to strike Iran in early August, he said, and all leave for military personnel has been canceled.

Ebrahimi called on the United States to "obliterate from their minds imagination of aggression against Iran." He said that Iran was not pursuing "any aggression or expansionist policies," but would defend itself against any U.S. attack.

Perry hinted at the possibility of a U.S. attack in the wake of mounting evidence of an Iranian hand in the Dhahran bombing in June.

Journalist alleges Mujahidin fought Iraqi Kurds

An Iranian exile journalist who writes for the Times of London has told a California radio station that combat units from the People's Mujahidin Organization of Iran took part in recent fighting in northern Iraq, that led to the defeat of the Iranian-backed Patriotic Union of Kurdistan of Jalal Talabani.

Heymour Teymourian told the radio that PMOI combat units "have actively taken part in operations against the PUK during the clashes in Erbil city." The PMOI involvement was confirmed by interviews with victorious KDP fighters who took part in the assault on Erbil along with the Iraqi army. "Up to 50% of the Iraqi forces were actually from the PMOI," Teymourian said.

Other reports from the region suggest that Saddam Hussein is relying increasingly on the PMOI to handle sensitive security positions, such as border posts between Iraq and Jordan, since he has come to distrust native Iraqi troops. [Radio Sedaye Iran 9/14]

says "brainwash them"

Following the announcement of the Islamic Republic's new "Charter for the Cultivation of Youth" (see "Breeding the new "Islamic" generations," in last week's Newswire), Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamene'i stressed the importance of introducing revolutionary values at high schools throughout Iran.

"Character and personality are mostly forged during adolescence. Therefore disseminating Islamic values and introducing the objectives of the Islamic revolution at educational centers including high schools is quite necessary," Khamene'i said.

The aim of the charter is "safeguard our Islamic society from the cultural assault of world arrogance," he added.

Khamene'i was speaking to central committee members of the Union of Islamic Student's Societies. Also present was the Leader's representative to the Union, Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, a guiding figure behind Ansar-e Hezbollah.

If Iran's young people do not endorse the regime's ideas, Khamene'i said, "the enemies will penetrate our youth and indoctrinate them with subversive ideas."

Only a few days before the beginning of the new academic year, Khamene'i asked for tight control of the political activities of students. "Although students should participate in politics and familiarize themselves with current political issues, all such activities should be conducted within the framework of Islamic beliefs and principles." he said. [Ettelaat, 9/4]

Rafsanjani's African safari

The official visit of President Rafsanjani to six African countries, heralded as "historic" by the official Tehran press, ended on Sept. 15 without any major achievement or immediate results.

Rafsanjani was accompanied by a 300-person entourage that included his wife, his daughter Faezeh Hashemi (newly elected to the 5th Majlis), Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Akbar Velayati, and scores of military, intelligence, business and Iranian media figures.

During the tour of Kenya, Uganda, Sudan, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and South Africa, Rafsanjani repeatedly announced that the Islamic Republic will soon export "a new Islamic civilization" to Africa to replace "colonial order established by colonial countries to plunder Africa's wealth and deprive Africans of many aspects of civilization."

In Kenya, Rafsanjani noted that "Developing nations are unhappy with the application of the human rights issue by certain industrialized countries in their dealing with other nations."

He accused the United Nations of "playing into the hands of the same industrialized states," by bringing pressure on "the Third World and Non-Aligned Movement to serve the political motives of the ruling world powers."

The UN needed "radical changes" aimed at modifying its structure, Rafsanjani said - a charge shared by many Congressional Republicans in the United States. However, for Rafsanjani the UN's problem is not fraud and mismanagement, but a mistaken notion of human rights. A reformed UN should "offer a plausible definition of human rights within the context of the religious and social traditions of individual societies," a reference not only to the Islamic Republic, but apparently a sop to African leaders who have been angered by Western criticism of the practice of female "circumcision," or genital mutilation. [Ettelaat International, 9/4].

In Dar Es Salaam, the capital of Tanzania, Rafsanjani trumpeted that "Westerners were behind the backwardness of Africa." Then he made his pitch: "Iran's rich experiences in the fields of economy, technology and trade could help African countries to reduce their dependence on foreigners."

One of the highlights of the trip was Rafsanjani's claim have convinced Uganda to stop providing safe haven to Sudanese Christians who oppose the regime of strongman General Omar Hassan Al-Bashir. If successful, the main result of Rafsanjani's efforts could be further massacres of Sudanese Christians.

The other highlight was his visit to South Africa, marked by the failure of the South African Parliament to receive him, and failure to finalize a long-awaited oil storage deal.

Under the deal, opposed by U.S., the Islamic Republic was to store up to 45 million barrels at Salanha Bay, north of Cape Town, to take advantage of the swings of the spot market.

The official reason for the "delay" in signing of the agreement, was that an environmental impact study was not completed, and "Is not expected to be completed much before the end of the year." as Reuter reported from Johannesburg on Sept. 11. [Tehran Times, Sept. 4-11, Ettelaat International Sept. 5-11, Kayhan 9/15]

No King in Kabul, Please!

The Islamic Republic has rejected the idea of the return of former Afghan King, Mohammad Zaher Shah to his country, to help create a government of National Unity.

Morteza Sarmadi, the Deputy Foreign Minister for Communication, said in a press conference in Kabul on Sept. 3 that "peace overtures by foreigners cannot solve the Afghan crisis."

Sarmadi (who also happens to be a "foreigner" in Afghanistan), criticized the U.S. for allegedly attempting to restore deposed Afghan King, Zaher Shah.

When asked why he was in Afghanistan, Sarmadi retorted that "the Islamic Republic of Iran has never tried to dictate to Afghan groups but favors a joint agreement among all Afghan parties."

"Iran is trying to ease tension and crisis in Afghanistan," he said, but "there are no commonalties between Washington and Kabul." [Tehran Times 9/4]

The idea of a return by the exiled King Zaher Shah to Afghanistan received international attention last month when U.S. U.S. Republican Congressman Dana Rohrbacher broached the idea during a visit to Pakistan.

AFP report from Islamabad on August 30 that Pakistan said it was not averse to the idea of Zaher Shah returning to Afghanistan if it would bring peace to the war-torn country.

The Islamic Republic is opposed to the return of the former King, and has reacted angrily any time the idea is broached - perhaps fearing contagious monarchist sentiments in Iran.

Zaher Shah was overthrown by his cousin Daud Khan in 1973, and since then has been living in exile in Rome.

Basiji attack in public garden

Hezbollahis gathering in a Tehran mosque suddenly spilled over into a nearby public garden, creating panic among strollers taking a break from the hot Tehran summer.

People fled the park as the Hezbollahis shouted anti-Western slogans and threatened "anti-revolutionaries" with sticks and clubs, Resalat reported. In fact, the attack was part of a "cultural plan" by the Basijis, the daily said. Resalat is close to Supreme Leader Ali Khamene'i.

"Members of the Basij base in Mahdieh Mosque decided to counter social corruption and drug dealers in the garden, to promote and spread Islamic culture," the paper said. "Following their action, they held public prayers in the garden, an act that was praised by the people." [Resalat, 9/1]

Writers group attacked

On Monday evening, Sept. 9, a meeting of members of the Iranian Union of Writers was raided by agents of the Ministry of Information and Security and 13 writers arrested, according to the opposition Iran Nation's Party.

The arrested writers were taken to a safe house at the Tehran International Fair grounds and were interrogated all night. They were warned not to organize "counter-revolutionary activities," including any meetings of their group, and were released the following morning.

Among those arrested were: Mrs. Simin Behbahani, Ms. Mehrangiz Kar, Ms. Roshanak Kar, Mr. Massoud Behnoud, Mr. Reza Barahni, Mr. Shahrokh Touiserkani, Mr. Massoud Toufan, and Mr. Ahmad Shamlou. [INP statement 9/13]

Dispute widens on Rafsanjani third term

The political question of the day in Tehran is: "Will he, or won't he."

He, of course, is President Ali Akbar Rafsanjani. And what everyone is wondering is whether he will request a change in the Constitution, to allow him to run for a third term.

While Rafsanjani has publicly pooh-poohed the idea, supporters have been floating it for well over a year - and almost always, such suggestions are met with fierce criticism.

Last week the Union of Islamic Students of Iranian Universities jointed those condemning a Rafsanjani third term, calling any change in the Constitution to allow it "illegal."

"The Islamic forces, while respecting the effectiveness of President Rafsanjani's moves over the past eight years, believe that a new president should be elected and that Rafsanjani should continue his work in another position," a statement issued by the student Union on Sept. 12 said. [Kayhan 9/12]

Seeing the furious reactions to this latest trial balloon, Vice President Hassan Rouhani issued a statement intended to calm the waters. "The problem regarding the possibility of a third term for Hojjat-ol eslam Rafsanjani is not the limits imposed by the Constitution of the Islamic Republic, but his own intention not to seek a third term. President Rafsanjani does not want to be elected for a third term," he said. [Jomhouri-Eslami, 9/15]

We will be reporting more on a Rafsanjani third term in the coming weeks.

Judge kidnapped by opposition group

Iran daily says that a judge was kidnapped last week "in a southern city," allegedly by drug smugglers who are demanding the "immediate release" of an unidentified prisoner. [IRAN DAILY 9/16]

FDI sources in Iran say the judge was kidnapped in the Persian Gulf city of Busheir, where Russia is currently completing a nuclear power plant, and is being held prisoner by a local tribal leader.

Tribal opposition to the regime is rarely reported on in the official press, and has never attracted the attention of the international media. Nevertheless, there have been ongoing low-level insurgencies along Iran's border with Pakistan, in the provinces of West Azerbaijan and Kurdistan, and in the southwest for many years.

Last week we reported that security forces claimed to have killed "the most notorious thug" of Balouchistan in an armed clash. Identified by the official media as Hassan Shahli Boro, AKA "Hasanak," Balouchi sources tell FDI that he was well-known in Balouchistan as a leader of the Shahli-Bor tribe, and "has become legendary for his hit and run operations" against the central government. [FDI]

New facilities for foreign investment

Increasingly worried that the U.S. sanctions will shrink foreign investment in Iran, the Islamic Republic last week announced new measures intended to attract foreign capital.

According to Ettelaat, the Council of Ministers has approved proposals offered by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance as part of the Law for the Attraction and Protection of Foreign Investments, enacted in the Iranian calendar year (1995-1996).

The measures include the ability to import machinery, equipment and raw materials "as part of the investment contribution of foreign investors," fewer restrictions on the re-export of capital generated by joint venture companies, and a six-year moratorium on income taxes for most new foreign investments.

Nevertheless, the Cabinet failed to address the main barriers to foreign investment in Iran: complex and contradictory regulations, the lack of a clear Law governing foreign investment, the chronic fear of investors that any changes taken today to attract investment will be rescinded tomorrow by radical Majlis members. [Ettelaat International, Sept. 12]

Tehran signs test ban treaty

Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has announced that Tehran has dropped its earlier objections to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, and will sign the treaty, joining an overwhelming majority of UN member states.

The objections of the Islamic Republic had ranged it on the side of India, which exploded a "peaceful" nuclear device in 1974, and aroused suspicions as to Tehran's nuclear intentions.

Zarif said his government considered the treaty "incomplete" and "imposed", since it still gives the five nuclear weapons the ability to improve their nuclear arsenals.

He compared the Treaty's text with an alternative text presented by Islamic Republic, but said his government was finally presented the choice of "signing an incomplete treaty or rejecting it. So at last we decided to sign it," Zarif said. [Ettelaat International, 9/12]

New Anti-Corruption Ministry planned

In May, Hojjat-ol Eslam Zargar, the head of the notorious Anti-Corruption Organization, addressed the First General Assembly of Hezbollah groups in Tehran, calling for greater power to impose "Islamic values" and fight against "foreign cultural assault," as we reported in our May 13 Newswire.

Now it appears that Zargar will get his wish - in spades.

According to Iran daily, the 5th Majlis is contemplating a plan to create a new government ministry, to be called "The Anti-Corruption Ministry (Amr- e Be Maarouf Nahi Az Moukar, literally, the Ministry for Decreeing Virtue and Forbidding Vice).

A Deputy from Qom, Hashemi, said the creation of the new ministry was "likely," adding: "If this plan is voted, and the (Hezbollahi) forces get restructured accordingly, we will see a deep and decisive change in the ability of our Islamic society to counter the enemy's cultural assault."

The idea of creating a new "Big Brother" Ministry comes at a time when the regime is trying to merge at least four other ministries in order to cut government spending. [Iran, 9/4].

FDI's Weekly Newswire

FDI WEEKLY NEWSWIRE NO 20

Sept. 16, 1996

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