The Times: March 8, 1989: Tehran breaks with UK over Rushdie controversy: Iran formally broke diplomatic relations with Britain yesterday, so shattering any chance of a compromise over Salman Rushdie’s controversial novel, The Satanic Verses, and setting back hopes of progress for Britons held in Iran and Lebanon.
On this day
Arab leaders, angry at Syrian president, threaten boycott of summit meeting
New York Times: Several Arab leaders say they may boycott the annual Arab summit meeting scheduled for this month in Damascus, the Syrian capital, because of anger at Syria over its role in Lebanon and its continuing links to Iran.
Iraq-Iran trade and tourism increasing
UPI: The U.S. Congressional Research Service said non-oil trade between Iraq and Iran reached about $2 billion in 2007.
One year later: Iran stonewalls on missing ex-FBI agent
ABC News: One year after former FBI agent Robert Levinson disappeared in Iran, the Iranian government still refuses to admit any knowledge of his whereabouts or fate.
UN sanctions to mar Iran election: cleric
AFP: A top Iranian cleric said on Friday that a new set of UN sanctions against Iran over its nuclear programme was aimed at undermining next week’s legislative elections.
UN urges Iraq to uphold rights of Iranian opposition
Iran Focus: London, Mar. 07 A senior United Nations official chided the Iraqi government on Thursday for failing to protect the main Iranian opposition group based in Iraqs Diyala Province, bordering Iran.
UN urges Iraq to uphold rights of Iranian opposition
Iran Focus: London, Mar. 07 A senior United Nations official chided the Iraqi government on Thursday for failing to protect the main Iranian opposition group based in Iraqs Diyala Province, bordering Iran.
Leading article: Squalid priorities
The Independent – Leading article: It is a curious paradox that, while our Government is often perfectly happy to pour scorn on repressive regimes abroad, when it comes to offering asylum to the persecuted inhabitants of such countries, all this righteous anger seems to evaporate.
Dissidents hail campus protests
Washington Times: Activists of the People’s Mujahedin in Iran claim they were involved in a series of student demonstrations that have led to a crackdown by authorities.
Iran’s state within a state
Daily Telegraph: They were once the storm troops of the Iranian revolution, the fanatical young men who spearheaded Ayatollah Khomeini’s campaign to overthrow the Shah and establish an Islamic Republic where the rule of law was based on a strict interpretation of the Koran.
