BBC: Iran is becoming an increasingly dangerous place to keep an online diary. Web logs have become a popular forum for dissent. And the Iranian government has responded by arresting dozens of bloggers. Some of those detained are reportedly being held in solitary confinement and tortured.
The price paid for blogging Iran
Slovak Leader: Bush, Putin to Discuss Iran
AP: Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and Ukraine are likely to dominate this week’s summit between President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Slovakia’s prime minister said. Bush arrives in Slovakia late Wednesday after visiting Belgium and Germany. He will meet with Slovak officials on Thursday before his talks with Putin – Bush’s first meeting with the Russian leader since he began his second term.
Governor accuses Iran of meddling in Iraq
Iran Focus: Baghdad, Feb. 21 The governor of the Iraqi province of Wasit accused Tehran of meddling in Iraqi affairs, disrupting the peace, and creating instability and havoc in his province, which shares a common border with the Islamic Republic. “The Iranian ambassador in Baghdad came to meet me and called for friendly relations. I told him, the people of Al-Kut (Wasits capital) are suffering from Iranian agents who are involved in acts of theft, narcotics distribution, smuggling, and assassination of personalities”, he said, in an interview with the Baghdad journal Al-Shahid Al-Mostaqel on Friday.
Governor accuses Iran of meddling in Iraq
Iran Focus: Baghdad, Feb. 21 The governor of the Iraqi province of Wasit accused Tehran of meddling in Iraqi affairs, disrupting the peace, and creating instability and havoc in his province, which shares a common border with the Islamic Republic. “The Iranian ambassador in Baghdad came to meet me and called for friendly relations. I told him, the people of Al-Kut (Wasits capital) are suffering from Iranian agents who are involved in acts of theft, narcotics distribution, smuggling, and assassination of personalities”, he said, in an interview with the Baghdad journal Al-Shahid Al-Mostaqel on Friday.
An EU voice of caution
International Herald Tribune: During the run-up to the U.S.-led war against Iraq in early 2003, Javier Solana retreated from public view, more content to keep a very low profile out of character with his role as Europe’s top foreign policy chief than to engage in the bitter diplomatic exchanges over the pending war.
Jaafari’s possible ascent as Iraqi premier cause for concern: Senator Clinton
AFP: There are grounds for concern if Iraqi interim Vice President Ibrahim al-Jaafari is picked as Iraq’s new prime minister, Senator Hillary Clinton said Sunday, pointing to his ties to neighboring Iran. Clinton was interviewed from Iraq alongside Republican Senator John McCain, who said Jaafari appeared likely to become the next premier.
Tehran: Guess Who’s Trying to Infiltrate Iraq?
Newsweek: Fresh intel suggests that Tehran is trying to
expand its influence over whatever government emerges in postelection Iraq. According to U.S. officials familiar with the latest intelligence, the Iranian government has been secretly directing its agents inside Iraq to plant themselves in influential positions throughout the Iraqi governmentinto agencies …
Iranian FM to visit India, gas imports seen as key topic
AFP: Iran’s foreign minister is to begin a three-day visit to India Sunday for talks following New Delhi’s decision to launch discussions on securing gas to fuel its energy-hungry economy.
Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazzi will address the India-Iran Joint Business Council Meeting Monday before holding talks with his Indian counterpart Natwar Singh, the Indian foreign ministry said in a statement Saturday.
Iran not wanting to acquiring nuclear arms, Putin says
AFP: President Vladimir Putin said Friday Russia was convinced Iran has no intention of making nuclear weapons, but warned Tehran must “strictly respect” rules to make sure it does not do so in exchange for Russian help in developing its civilian nuclear power program. “The latest steps on Iran’s behalf persuade us that Iran has no intention of building an atomic weapon,” Putin said as he greeted Iran’s top nuclear negotiator, Hassan Rowhani, at the Kremlin.
Bush says Iran using U.S. refusal as excuse
Reuters: President George W. Bush said on Friday that Iran is trying to use the United States’ refusal to join European talks over Tehran’s nuclear program as an excuse for not giving up uranium enrichment. He stressed that the United States preferred diplomacy and did not want to use military action against Iran over the nuclear question.
