tib53 - Dec. 7, 1998

The Iran Brief®

Policy, Trade & Strategic Affairs

An investigative tool for business executives, government, and the media.

Issue No. 53, Dec. 7, 1998

5301 Prominent opposition leaders murdered. The leader of the Iran Nation's Party, Darioush Forouhar, and his wife Parvaneh, were murdered in their Tehran home. Khatami promises an investigation, but the opposition cries foul. 1253 words
5302 Iranian prisons bursting at the seams. Newly released official figures show a continuing upsurge in the prison population. 300 words
5303 Budget projects $12 oil. Funds also allotted for terrorism. 274 words
5304 UN Panel again condemns Iran. General Assembly resolution clams human rights record. 162 words
5305 Americans attacked in Tehran. 13 American "tourists" feared a replay of the 1979 embassy takeover. But an Iran Brief investigation reveals they were no tourists. Here's the inside story of a new backchannel to Tehran. 879 words
5306 Halliburton seeks sanctions waiver. Heavy-hitting lobbying by a former Pentagon chief. 316 words
5307 Radio Khatami. Congress created Radio Free Iran to promote the democratic opposition, but its broadcasts reveal a hidden agenda. 337 words
5308 U.S. and Iran seek Saddam's overthrow. More back-channel talks and tacit cooperation, with winks and nods galore. 571 words
5309 Iran offers to pre-sell oil. Selling off tomorrow to pay today's debts. 206 words
5310 Khatami shows his cards. With no serious takers for Iran's oil and gas development projects, President Khatami has unveiled his true strategy: getting U.S. oil companies to lobby to end U.S. sanctions, so they can build Caspian pipelines across Iran. 657 words
5311 Russia rebuffs U.S., pledges new nuclear sales to Iran. Iran Brief Exclusive: U.S. negotiators warn of a looming "crisis" in U.S.-Russian relations, as Russian firms add nuclear weapons technology to missile fears. Inside sources provide the names of newly-sanctioned companies in Russia. 1718 words
5312 Destroyers laid down 124 words
5313 Ahmad Rezai in Costa Rica. The son of former Rev. Guards commander hides out with an exile businessman. 106 words
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