Iran Focus: London, Jul. 2 – An Austrian newspaper reported on Saturday that Austrian authorities have classified documents showing that Iran’s new president may have played a key role in the 1989 slaying of a prominent Iranian dissident in Vienna. The information comes after Iran Focus revealed last month in a detailed biography of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that he had been involved in the assassination of Iranian Kurdish leader Abdorrahman Ghassemlou in Vienna.
Iran president-elects role in 1989 attack part of pattern
Iran president-elects role in 1989 attack part of pattern
Iran Focus: London, Jul. 2 – An Austrian newspaper reported on Saturday that Austrian authorities have classified documents showing that Iran’s new president may have played a key role in the 1989 slaying of a prominent Iranian dissident in Vienna. The information comes after Iran Focus revealed last month in a detailed biography of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that he had been involved in the assassination of Iranian Kurdish leader Abdorrahman Ghassemlou in Vienna.
Some inside Iran theocracy fear rising isolation
Iran Focus: London, Jul. 02 Irans defeated presidential contender and current head of the State Expediency Council, Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, warned of serious dangers threatening the theocratic regime in his first Friday prayers sermon following last weeks election. “Let me tell you without any further elaboration that we are facing serious problems and if forces loyal to the Islamic Republic and the revolution become divided, serious dangers will threaten us,
Rafsanjani said.
Some inside Iran theocracy fear rising isolation
Iran Focus: London, Jul. 02 Irans defeated presidential contender and current head of the State Expediency Council, Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, warned of serious dangers threatening the theocratic regime in his first Friday prayers sermon following last weeks election. “Let me tell you without any further elaboration that we are facing serious problems and if forces loyal to the Islamic Republic and the revolution become divided, serious dangers will threaten us,
Rafsanjani said.
Iran’s terrorist president
Washington Times – Editorial: If there is a silver lining in Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s election as president of Iran, it is that it will be more difficult for people in the West to delude themselves into thinking they are dealing with so-called pragmatists or reformers who want to end the clerical dictatorship that has brutalized the Iranian people. Such an exercise in self-deception will be far more difficult to engage in now that Americans taken hostage by Iranian students who invaded the U.S. Embassy in Tehran on Nov. 4, 1979, say that Mr. Ahmadinejad played a central role in the takeover, interrogating American captives and demanding harsher treatment of the hostages.
Iran human rights a priority for EU under UK presidency
Iran Focus: London, Jul. 01 Human rights in Iran will be a priority for the European Union under the Presidency of the United Kingdom Prime Minister Tony Blair, according to a report released by British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw. The report, entitled Prospects for the EU in 2005, noted, Human rights are also a priority for the UK and EU in relations with Iran, and, as Presidency, the UK will represent the EU in the EU/Iran Human Rights Dialogue.
Iran human rights a priority for EU under UK presidency
Iran Focus: London, Jul. 01 Human rights in Iran will be a priority for the European Union under the Presidency of the United Kingdom Prime Minister Tony Blair, according to a report released by British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw. The report, entitled Prospects for the EU in 2005, noted, Human rights are also a priority for the UK and EU in relations with Iran, and, as Presidency, the UK will represent the EU in the EU/Iran Human Rights Dialogue.
Khatami to expose Iran election violations
AFP: Iranian President Mohammad Khatami said he would release a collection of documents proving the extent of election law violations and smear campaigns that took place in the presidential vote. “Based on authentic evidence, I will reveal documents on unethical moves that took place in the presidential election,” the official IRNA agency quoted Khatami as saying as he visited a mosque late Wednesday.
US pursues inquiry into Iranian president-elect’s past
AFP: The United States is still looking into the past of Iran’s president-elect Mahmood Ahmadinejad, and the White House said Friday it would not be surprised if accusations that he took part in the 1979 US hostage crisis in Tehran were true. “We continue to look into it and establish all the facts. I don’t think it should be a surprise to anyone if it turns out to be true,” said White House spokesman Scott McClellan.
Top Iranian Official Aided Hostage-Takers
AP: If the newly elected Iranian president turns out to have been a main participant in the holding of American hostages in Tehran, he won’t be the first top Iranian official with a role in the 1979 crisis.
The current Iranian environment minister, Massoumeh Ebtekar, was the chief interpreter and spokeswoman for the radical students who took over the U.S. Embassy and held 52 diplomats hostage for 444 days.
