Iranian Press Menu 16 Oct 07

AFTAB-E YAZD (website, page 2 missing)

1. Editorial: “The real radicals” The daily responds to right- wing allegations that the reformist front is divided by radicals and sensible elements and states that this is to hide the divisions in the conservative camp itself; it cites some of the examples of conduct in past years constituting what it believes are clearer examples of radicalism or political dogmatism. (Front page on portal, or pages 1, 2 on pdf version)

2. Report: “Head of the parliamentary foreign relations committee – Iran should resolutely demand its share of the Caspian.” Mahmud Mohammadi says Iran’s flexible approach has led to its rights in the Caspian Sea being encroached upon, but points out the importance of a security regime for the Caspian/Caucasus/Central Asia area, which he says is the setting of key energy transport routes. The item includes comments by the Foreign Ministry spokesman on the Caspian conference in Tehran. (politics; 800 words)

3. Report: “Deputy-head of the parliamentary economic committee: There will be no privatization in the oil-dependent government.” Iraj Nadimi comments on the various areas where Iran has potential and which it needs to develop to expand its non-oil exports sector, such as agriculture, tourism, or technology. He says privatization is difficult when the government derives so much power and money from oil will likely prove reluctant to give up this easy money. (page 1 in pdf version; 650 words)

4. Report: “Abdeh-Tabrizi – Government has deprived itself of varied economic ideas.” The former Tehran stock exchange chief Hoseyn Abdeh-Tabrizi says the government must consider reducing its development expenditures in coming budgets and development programmes and open the economic arena to the private sector. He discusses moves for the private sector’s increasing recognition and involvement in the economy. (page 5; 600 words)

5. Report: “Head of the House of Parties: Government should accept criticism.” Politicians comment on parties at a meeting of the House of Parties and Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani. Hoseyn Musavi- Tabrizi says the body is not factional and its members are concerned with national interests. The head of the House of Parties’ women’s committee Fatemeh Rake’i wants closer ties between itself and the Expediency Council strategic research centre. The head of the House of Parties legal committee Ebrahim Amini says parties do not currently have legal problems for their activities, the only restriction he says being for those with a record of activities under the monarchy. (page 12; 700 words)

6. Report: “Secretary-General of the Islamic Revolution Mojahedin Society – Views of most principle-ists have changed.” Mohammad Salamati comments to ISNA on reformist plans for coming parliamentary elections, and says the broad reformist aim is to pursue political, economic and social reforms and make parliament more effective. (page 12; 420 words)

E’TEMAD (hardcopy)

1. Report by the political desk, entitled: “denying the plan to assassinate Putin”. The report looks at earlier reports by a Russian news agency about a plot to assassinate the Russian president during a visit to Tehran. It then looks at different reactions to this news by the Iranian and Russian government including Putin himself. (Page 1; 1,000 words)

2. Interview with Mohsen Safa’i Farahani conducted by Keyvan Mehregan of the political desk, entitled: “the government without plan”. A senior economic expert and former MP, Mohsen Safa’i Farahani, looks back at the economic conduct of government. He argues that having a security vision towards economy won’t work anywhere and that Iran has had this experience in the 90s and it even led to some prosecutions, but the result was capital flight rather than production of wealth. Therefore, he argues, a security atmosphere is definitely not the answer. (Page 1 & 6, 4,500 words)

3. Editorial by Mohammad Qaraguzlu, entitled: “the legal regime of Caspian and Iran’s national rights”

The author looks at the previous meeting between the Caspian Sea littoral states which was held in Ashgabat five years ago and the long delay till now. He looks at the legal regime of Caspian Sea from a geopolitical and energy view and also warns that other littoral states could easily break any promise they may make in this summit once it’s over. The author also strongly asks the Iranian president not to refer to the old treaties and agreement signed between Iran and the Soviet Union as they would prove useless in drawing a legal regime for the Caspian Sea today. He advised the government to accept a 20 per cent share of the Caspian where every state would get an equal share of the sea and adds that the whole nation should back the government in protecting our national interests against others. (Pages 1 & 2; 1,800 words)

4. Report by the political desk, entitled: “Hashemi-Rafsanjani should come to help parties”

In a meeting with the central members of the ‘House of Parties’, the chairman of the Assembly of Experts, Hashemi-Rafsanjani was asked by party activists to provide support for political parties. In this meeting a number of speakers talked about the significant role of political parties in the country. Also in this meeting, Rafsanjani emphasised that the slightest violation in elections would be against justice. (Page 2; 1,500 words)

5. Report by the political desk, entitled, “Mahmud Ahmadinezhad – Enemies’ threats rooted in fear”

Addressing the clerics of the Iranian Army, the Iranian president said the army must increase its capability to a point that the enemy wouldn’t dare to take any action against it. He said the enemy is afraid of the Iranian army. (Page 1; 200 words)

E’TEMAD-E MELLI (hard copy)

1. Unattributed editorial on “Rubric” column: “Imam Khomeyni believed in an Islamic republic.” The editorial refers to Expediency Council Chairman Akbar Rafsanjani’s remarks to a gathering of House of Parties representatives in support of party work in Iran and explains that contrary to what some newly emerged groups contend, Imam Khomeyni believed in an Islamic republic and nothing else. (p 1; 550 words)

2. “News” column citing ISNA: “Supreme leader meets Kazakh president.” Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamene’i received the Kazakh president yesterday, currently in Tehran to attend the Caspian summit, where he welcomed efforts to expand bilateral relations. (p 1; 300 words)

FARHANG-E ASHTI (hardcopy)

1. Report by News Desk citing Fars News: “Programming and Budget Committee’s persistence on free-market petrol”; the item reports the Majlis Programming and Budget Committee’s measure in obligating the government to offer un-rationed petrol and quotes the remarks of Adel Azar, member of this committee, in an interview with Fars News, where he spoke about this bill. (p 2; 550 words)

2. Report citing Asr-e Iran: “Pushing Mohsen Reza’i to margins”; the item quotes Omidvar Reza’i, Mohsen Reza’i's brother, who said that principle-ists have not sent anyone to talk or confer with Mohsen Reza’i and believed that principle-ist fellows did not want to expand their circle. (p 2; 200 words)

3. Report citing ISNA on “Outlook” column: “Mojtahedzadeh: Caspian Sea talks must not take so long”; the item reflects the remarks of Piruz Mojtahedzadeh, university lecturer and expert in international affairs, who believed that the other four neighbouring countries of the Caspian Sea have defined their legal, economic and security boundaries and explained that Iran must fulfil its rights regarding the Caspian Sea and these talks should not take so long. (p 2; 650 words)

4. Short news items on “From Everywhere” column: The column contains a number of short news reports, including science minister’s plan to invite foreign lecturers; Ayatollah Makarem- Shirazi’s complaint against the inflation rate; unemployment of almost 300 young pilots in Iran; rumours about manipulation of university entrance exams’ results to damage the government; Iran’s complaint about the use of “Arabic Gulf” in an exhibition held by UNESCO in Saudi Arabia and UNESCO’s apology; launch of “Tabnak” after the closure of “Baztab” news and information centre. (p 2; 1,000 words)

5. Report citing ISNA: “Ayatollah Hashemi-Rafsanjani: Parties do not need to be bribed, they need to be respected”; the item reports the meeting of members of the House of Parties with Ayatollah Hashemi-Rafsanjani, the head of the Expediency Council and the Assembly of Experts and quotes his remarks regarding parties and their activities and the late Imam Khomeyni’s respect for political parties. The report also covers the remarks of Seyyed Hoseyn Musavi- Tabrizi, the head of the House of Parties, about this institution and its activities. (p 3; 1,600 words)

6. Report citing ISNA: “Member of the Militant Clerics Association to meet with Zarghami”; the item quotes the remarks of Seyyed Abdolvahed Musavi-Lari, member of the Militant Clerics Society, in an interview with ISNA, who criticized the performance of some individuals in the Voice and Vision Organization, who want to create a psychological warfare against reformists, and said that two representatives of this party are to meet the head of the Voice and Vision Organization and reflect their complaint. (p 3; 200 words)

7. Report citing ISNA: “Features of 1387 [2008 - 09] Budget Bill were defined”; the item quotes the remarks of Ali Askari, economic and budget and programming deputy of programming and Strategic Supervision Deputyship, who explained the general features of 87 Budget Bill and said that its focus on oil will be like current year’s budget and analyzed macro strategies of the ninth government in the budget bill. (p 5; 700 words)

HAMSHAHRI (hardcopy)

1. Report: “Investigating the rumour on assassination [of Putin] in an interview with a member of [Majlis'] National Security [and Foreign Policy] Committee: Putin’s bodyguards have been in Tehran from ten days ago”; in an interview with Hamshahri, Heshmatollah Falahatpishe, a member of Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, speaks about the reasons for the West trying to start a psychological war against Iran on the verge of Vladimir Putin’s trip to Tehran by spreading rumours on plans to assassinate him. (Page 2; 450 words)

2. Report by Majid Mehrabi-Delju: “Developments in the Caspian Sea and the relations between the littoral states in an interview with Piruz Mojtahedzade; The Caspian Sea is not the backyard of others”; in an interview with Hamshahri, Mijtahedzade investigates the solutions to reach an agreement in today’s meeting of the Caspian Sea coastal countries. (Page 9; 1,000 words)

HEMAYAT (hardcopy)

1. Unattributed news report: Judiciary chief: America’s and the Zionist regime’s history of enmity with Islam are extremely dark. In a meeting with the Judiciary’s top officials, Mahmud Hashemi- Shahrudi emphasized the importance of standing united against conspiracies by America and the Zionists, especially as far as the Palestine issue is concerned. He attributed global Muslim awakening to the victory of the Islamic Revolution. (p1; 600 words)

2. Unattributed news report: Prosecutor-general: The car manufacturing industry must be a source of pride and honour for the country. According to Mehr, Ayatollah Dori-Najafabadi emphasized the need for improving Iran’s car manufacturing industry which ranks 16 in the world and hoped that with further efforts it can enter the top ten. He also spoke of more improvements in car petrol consumptions in keeping with the government’s long term plans for self-reliance. (p1; 700 words)

3. Unattributed news report from the ?short news’ column: Zolnur: The Gaurds will not act for or against candidates or political movements. The Head of the supreme leader’s representative committee at the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Hojjatoleslam Zolnur stressed that in line with the course determined by Khomeyni, the IRGC will in no way act for or against any candidates or political groups in the eighth Majlis elections. (p2; 550 words)

4. Unattributed news report: Member of the Majlis Foreign Policy Committee: Iran must categorically demand its share of the Caspian Sea. In an interview with Fars, Mahmud Mohammadi stressed that the Caspian Sea, Central Asia and the Caucasus have always been a centre of attention for Europe and America because of their potential as a route for production and transfer of energy and lack of a security plan might be to the detriment of the region’s countries. He spoke of the Foreign Ministry’s role in securing Iran’s rightful share of the Caspian Sea. (p2; 600 words)

5. Unattributed news report: Deputy Head of Majlis National Security Committee: We hope that a new chapter of relations between Iran and Russia will be opened. In an interview with ISNA, Mohammad Nabi Rudaki said that if a suitable and permanent legal agreement is reached between the Caspian Sea’s neighbouring countries, all security issues will also be settled. He expressed hope that Russia would clearly announce its stance concerning Iran’s nuclear programme. (p2; 350 words)

HEZBOLLAH (hardcopy)

1. Unattributed editorial, entitled: “The ominous triangle”; criticizes the fact that no serious action is taken against economic crimes and corruption. (Pages 1 & 14; 1,100 words)

2. Report citing Mehr News Agency: “Zolnur: The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps will not act politically in the elections”; in an interview with Mehr News Agency, Hojjat ol-Eslam Zolnur, the head of the representatives of the supreme leader in the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps [IRGC], said that the IRGC will not take action in favour or against any candidate during the eighth Majlis election. He then explained the IRGC’s three arenas of activity. (Page 1; 900 words)

3. Commentary by Arash Mo’menian: “A deliberation on Iran’s relations with two Koreas; pay attention to the cousins”; says that despite the fact that the developments in South and North Korea are among the most important issues in Asia, the public opinion of Iran is not sensitive about them, he then investigates the recent developments in the relations between these two countries. (Page 12; 1,600 words)

4. Report citing Fars News Agency: “In an open letter, the students of the University of Khajeh Nasir warned against spreading hasty ideas with the budget from public purse”; in a letter to the president, the students of the University of Khajeh Nasir have criticized the University of Amir Kabir supporting the Office for Fostering Unity and have asked the government to take action in this respect. (Pages 1 & 2; 600 words)

IRAN (website)

1. Unattributed editorial entitled: “By-passing the uni-polar world order”. The editorial emphasizes the importance of the forthcoming Caspian littoral states’ summit in Tehran, since an important regional issue, i.e. the Caspian Sea legal regime, is discussed without the presence or interference of the US or Western powers. It says success in the Tehran summit will prove to the rest of the world that regional issues can be successfully resolved without major powers’ intervention. The editorial says the choice of Tehran for the summit’s venue serves to neutralize the intense psychological war of the West to demonize and isolate Tehran, and prevent the summit. (Page 1; 800 words)

2. Unattributed report under “Selected News” column, entitled: “Zolnur: IRGC will not act for or against candidates and political factions in elections”. Head of office of Leader’s representative in IRGC says although the Guards Corps has a duty to ensure high election turnout, it will not take sides for or against any specific candidate or party in the next Majlis elections. He says IRGC’s partisan and factional objectivity is unalterable and constant. (Page 2; 270 words)

3. Report by Politics Desk entitled: “Saffar-Harandi: Russia’s outlook is distinct from West and America” Speaking to Fars News Agency, the Islamic guidance minister says Iran-Russia ties have been growing positively in recent years, and this is mainly because of their agreement on many international issues. He says Russia is adopting an increasingly realistic posture on regional and global issues, including the Iranian nuclear dossier. (Page 2; 350 words)

4. Report by Social Desk entitled: “Iran has 100,000 chemical weapons victims” Gholamhoseyn Dehqani, head of National Convention on Chemical Weapons Ban, says Iran is the world’s biggest victim of chemical weapons, and there are currently around 100,000 people still suffering from the symptoms. He says the real economic cost of this situation must be assessed and conveyed to international forums, so that compensation can be paid to Iran. (Page 4; 300 words)

5. Report by Politics Desk entitled: “Defence Ministry delivers two Iran-140 aircraft to Law Enforcement Force” According to ISNA, these passenger and cargo aircraft have been manufactured at Defence Ministry’s Aircraft Industries Organization. Accordingly, the multi- purpose aircraft is very economical, given its cheap maintenance costs and low fuel consumption. (Page 5; 270 words)

6. Report by Politics Desk entitled: “MPs’ reactions to negative campaigning by some political personalities and groups” The report contains highlights of Iran’s interviews with four members of Majlis National Security Commission. Haji-Baba’i censures the government’s unfair critics, and says foreign policy successes have enhanced internal security as well. Falahatpisheh says the government’s achievements on both domestic and foreign arenas have been highly successful and positive. Ahmad Nejabat says the negative campaigns against the government have intensified as the Majlis elections draw nearer, and this trend is completely unacceptable. Finally Musa Qorbani urges the critics to stop spreading damaging rumours, and says the government’s achievements must not be questioned as part of the election campaigns by other parties. (Page 5; 1,300 words)

7. Interview by Jalal Barzegar with Mehdi Safari, deputy foreign minister for Asia, Oceania and CIS, entitled: “Caspian will remain the sea of peace and friendship” Safari emphasizes the importance of the Caspian summit in Tehran, both in terms of the likely agreements that the littoral states are going to reach collectively, and the bilateral accords that Iran will sign with the individuals littoral states. He says a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues will be discussed between Iran and Russia, in particular, bilateral cooperation in Caucasia, Central Asia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Persian Gulf and the Middle East region as a whole. Safari says Iran and Russia need to work together in relation to these topics. On the Caspian issues in general, Safari says major steps have been taken towards bringing the littoral states closer to one another, ensure security and stability, protect the environment, and organize shipping and transport in the sea. He adds that these are relatively new developments, and in the past, there was no sign of such achievements. (Page 4 and 5 of Special Supplement on the Caspian Summit; 6,000 words)

JAVAN (hardcopy)

1. Editorial by the managing editor: “Dos and don’ts of a summit”; the editorial refers to the Caspian Sea Summit in Tehran and explains a number of significant points about this summit, including the importance of presence of neighbouring countries’ leaders, especially the Russia president, despite the severe psychological warfare of America against Iran, and elaborates on a number of points that should be noted in this summit, such as military equipment of Russia in the Caspian Sea and the issue of terrorism and security of the region. (p 1; 600 words)

2. Analytical report by Iran Desk: “Dominion of laws and ethics; two prerequisites to control electoral destructions”; the item refers to the remarks of the supreme leader about the need to refrain from hostility and offences in elections and explains the negative effects of immorality in electoral rivalry and goes on to quote the remarks of a number of political experts including central council member of the Society of Devotees Mojtaba Shakeri, vice- secretary of the National Trust Party Hojjat ol-Eslam Rasul Montajabnia, member of the Militant Clerics Society Hojjat ol-Eslam Majid Ansari, and member of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Politics Committee Heshmatollah Falahat-pisheh, about the necessity to observe electoral ethics. (pp 1, 2; 1,500 words)

3. Report citing Fars News: “Hashemi-Rafsanjani: To induce ineffectiveness of people’s votes is to start arson “; the item quotes the remarks of Ayatollah Hashemi-Rafsanjani, in his visit with members of the House of Parties, where he stressed the significance of parties’ activities and the important role of people. (p 2; 300 words)

4. Unattributed report: “Hashemi-Shahrudi: Leader’s warnings prevent enemies from reaching their goals”; the item quotes the head of the Judiciary, Ayatollah Hashemi-Shahrudi, in a meeting with high- ranking judicial officials, where he condemned America and “Zionist” regime’s crimes against Palestinian people and said that the supreme leader’s remarks could neutralise enemies’ plots. (p 2; 300 words)

5. Unattributed report: “Discovery of subsidized fuel in reservoirs in Aras Free Zone”; the item quotes the remarks of Hasan Adamnezhad, the secretary of the Committee to fight against smuggling of goods and foreign exchange in East Azarbayjan, who announced the news on discovery of fuel and petrol products in depots in Aras Free Zone, which is being investigated. (p 6; 450 words)

JOMHURI-YE ESLAMI (hardcopy)

1. Unattributed editorial: “Caspian, sea of peace and understanding.” The daily highlights different ways in which the Caspian summit scheduled to convene today in Tehran is important. It says alliance of the five Caspian states can help keep America and other powers out of the region, the Caspian Sea can serve as a basis to expand cooperation of the five nations and that the five nations can agree to protect each other’s territorial integrity. It says the legal regime must be determined without further delay until which time the Islamic Republic will go by previous agreements. (p 1; 550 words)

2. Unattributed news item: “Caspian summit a suitable basis to bolster regional ties.” Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamene’i met the Kazakh president yesterday where he said the Islamic Republic welcomes expansion of ties between the two countries and that the Caspian summit provides a suitable basis to strengthen regional ties. (p 3; 250 words)

3. Unattributed report: “Conducting sound, lively elections is a national, religious duty.” The item reports Expediency Council Chairman Ayatollah Rafsanjani’s remarks to House of Parties officials yesterday where he said Imam Khomeyni supported party work adding that parties help bring about democracy. He also discussed the importance of sound elections in which people are eager to participate. (p 3; 350 words)

4. Unattributed report: “Tehran’s Caspian summit to reduce obstacles blocking agreement on legal regime.” The item reports remarks by MPs Falahatpisheh, Hajibaba’i and Tamaddon on the Caspian summit scheduled to convene in Tehran today. National Security and Foreign Policy Committee member Falahatpisheh said the later the five countries reach an agreement the better the chances of foreigners to exploit the situation; Presidium member Hajibaba’i said the presence of Caspian states in Tehran displays the country’s power and authority and helps reduce Western pressures on Iran; Plan and Budget Committee member Tamaddon said the summit sends the message to America that Iran has become the epicentre of regional interaction. (p 3; 1,200 words)

5. Commentary by Dr Jahangir Karami: “Putin’s Tehran visit a turning point in Iran-Russia relations.” The author comments on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Tehran describing it as a turning point in Iran-Russia relations. He says developments in Ukraine, Georgia and Kyrgyzstan as well as the American missile defence plan have changed the situation in Iran’s favour and explains that the visit can serve to strengthen Iran-Russia economic and political ties. (p 6; 1,200 words)

KEYHAN (website)

1. Editorial by Naser Bahrami-Rad: The plague of sincere service. Writer says that the concept of sincere service has turned into a value for all those who are in power and the Principle-ists have shown themselves to be followers of this belief. But, the editorial adds, in a few instances, such as the project to improve public transport and petrol consumption according to the framework of Note 13 of the budget law, the Principle-ists have experienced some setbacks and instead of cooperation and unanimity, have turned to complaints and speaking through the media. (p2; 600 words)

2. Unattributed news report: Revolution’s honoured leader in meeting with Kyrgyzstan president: The Caspian Sea summit is a suitable opportunity to develop relations between the region’s countries. In a meeting with the President of Kyrgyzstan, in which the President was also present, the leader emphasized the importance of cooperation between the two countries. (p2; 300 words)

3. Unattributed news report: Five official documents of the Caspian Summit will be signed today in Tehran in the presence of the President. The second Caspian Sea summit will take place today with presidents from five countries. Daily says that this shows that the West’s efforts for isolating Iran have been unsuccessful and the signatures by all five countries on an official agreement show that Iran has turned into a centre of understanding. Report goes on to explain the geographical details of the Caspian Sea and its resources and the various points of contention between all its neighbouring countries. (p2; 1900 words)

4. Unattributed news report: Dr Rahim Purazghandi proposed: Islamic civilisation building means a method other than Talebanism or secularism. According to Fars, in a meeting with students in Mashhad, the member of the Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution stressed the importance of establishing Islamic values in universities but warned against extremism and secularism. He said that we have to stop blindly accepting many interpretations because they have come to us from the West. (p3; 300 words)

5. Unattributed news report: Secretary of the Central Council of the United Principle-ist Front: Six three-member groups will undertake the Principle-ists’ provincial trips. In an interview with Fars, Shahabeddin Sadr denied that any official counselling had taken place between different Principle-ist groups but emphasised that there are no obstacles to such an action. (p14; 200 words)

6. Unattributed news report: Election news from the Reformist Front; Musavi-Lari: Principle-ists will definitely not reach a coalition. In an interview with Iranews, Musavi-Lari said that due to ?share-demanding’ disputes Principle-ists will not be able to reach a coalition. He then spoke of the details of the reformists’ election campaign. The National Trust party has so far refused to join the Reformist coalition and is planning to enter elections independently. (p14; 550 words)

MARDOM SALARI (hardcopy)

1. Editorial by Arash Mehrmanesh: Putin’s trip to Tehran: conflict of interests with Iran and competition with the West. He elaborates on the visit by the Russian president to Tehran and describes it as an important turning point in the political relations of the Middle East. (Page 1, 16; 800 words)

2. Unattributed commentary: The summit meeting of the Caspian Sea littoral states today in Tehran: Revive the share of Iran in the Caspian Sea. It reviews the treaties on the Caspian Sea based on 50- 50 and it says people expect the officials to restore Iran’s share. (Page 1; 600 words)

3. Outlook by Arash Shiran: Russian’s dextrousness in fishing in troubled waters. He regrets that the foreign policy apparatus has been busy establishing ties with Venezuela and Nicaragua instead of Russia and that is why the behaviour of Russia towards the nuclear case has become decisive. (Page 2; 500 words)

4. Commentary by Hoseyn Ravanbakhsh: A glance at the Russian president’s visit to Tehran: Plutonian Diplomacy. He elaborates on the reasons for Putin’s trip to Iran and describes it as a strong message to the West. He reviews the disputes between Russia and the US over the missile defence shield, oil and the ex Soviet Republics. (Page 7,8; 4000 words)

5. Article by Arash Mehrmanesh: A study on the opportunities and challenges of the relations between China and Iran: Chinese want Iran and America together. He elaborates on the China’s dependence on Iran’s energy and the disputes between China and the US over Taiwan and economic relations and argues that China is trying to reduce tensions between Iran and the US. (Page 10; 2000 words)

6. News item: MPs referring to the Summit Meeting of the Caspian Sea states in Tehran: The restoration of Iran’s interests in the Caspian Sea. Boroujerdi, Pir Mo’azzan , Mozzafar and Mohammadi ask for legal regime of the Caspian Sea to be identified, acceleration of the atomic plant etc… they also argue that Russia is playing with Iran’s national interests. (Page 15; 1000 words)

7. News item: Ayatollah Sane’i: The danger of distortion is threatening the history of the revolution. He says we should try to inform people that god has not appointed anyone as the guardian of the people in political affairs. (Page 16; 1000 words)

8. News items from ?behind the window’ column including: The open statement of the government’s supporters: principle-ists critical of the government will be disqualified; Election emails; The role of the US in spreading the rumours on Putin’s assassination. (Page 16; 1000 words)

RESALAT (hardcopy)

1. Editorial by the foreign policy desk, entitled: “Unity with the Caspian Sea as its axis”; referring to the meeting of the heads of the Caspian Sea coastal countries that is going to be held in Tehran today, the editorialist stresses the necessity of unity among these countries and the measures that should be taken in this meeting. (Page 1; 550 words)

2. Commentary by Saleh Eskandari: “Seeking power or a change in strategy”; mentions the latest developments in the reformist camp on the verge of the upcoming Majlis election and argues that the gap in this front is becoming deeper; the columnist then says that the leaders of the 2 Khordad front have to explain why they do not speak about civil society and political development anymore. (Page 2; 450 words)

3. Commentary by Sahab Fatemi: “A look at the recent trip of Vladimir Putin to the Islamic Republic of Iran: Russia, this time with Putin Tehran”; speaks about the importance of Putin’s trip to Tehran; the relations between Russia and France; and Putin’s disagreements with the US. (Page 7; 900 words)

4. Unattributed commentary: “The West’s efforts to create an adverse atmosphere on the verge of Putin’s trip to Tehran”; argues that the reason for the US and France’s efforts encourage Moscow to support the West’s positions against Iran before Putin’s trip to Tehran is that this trip stresses the elevation of relations between Tehran and Moscow. (Page 21; 400 words)

SIYASAT-E RUZ (hardcopy)

1. “Opening Words” by Mohsen Maqsudi: “Benettons are coming…” The daily regrets that principle-ist government officials defend the presence of the likes of Benetton in Iran under the pretext of promoting foreign investment and goes on to argue that such an outlook on privatization and foreign investment sacrifices national and religious culture and brings more “Benettons” into the country. It asks whether foreign investors should be allowed to operate in areas such as “fashion and clothing” that have to do with public culture. (pp 1, 2; 1,000 words)

2. Unattributed news item on “News Update” column: “Supreme leader meets Kazakh president.” Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamene’i met the Kazakh president yesterday where he supported efforts to expand bilateral ties. (p 1; 250 words)

3. News item on “Not Confidential” column citing Tabnak: “Rigi’s key source of funds discovered in Iran.” The item reports that local petrol station owners in Sistan-Baluchestan Province provide funds to notorious terrorist Abdolmalek Rigi who in turn protects consignments of smuggled diesel fuel to Pakistan and Afghanistan. (p 2; 200 words)

4. News item on “Until Elections” column citing ISNA: “Pro- government groups coordinated in elections.” Developers Coalition Spokesman Mahdi Chamran told ISNA that pro-government groups will work in coordination with one another for the March 2008 parliamentary elections. (p 3; 200 words)

5. Report by economy desk: “Government required to supply free- market petrol.” The item reports remarks by Majlis Plan and Budget Committee MP Adel Azar where he said the committee has approved a motion to clarify a paragraph of Note 13 of the annual budget that requires the government to supply non-rationed petrol at cost price in addition to rationed petrol. He said the motion will be put to vote on the open floor early next month. The item also reports that the government has presented a budget supplement bill to Majlis to authorize the import of 1.5bn dollars of petrol. (p 4; 1,300 words)

6. Commentary on “Note” column by Ali Tatmaj: “Rice’s uncertain steps in the Middle East.” The author outlines and comments on US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s agenda in her seventh visit to the Middle East. (p 12; 750 words)

TEHRAN-E EMRUZ (website)

1. Editorial by Parviz Esma’ili entitled: A test for Putin

The editorial, pointing to the fact that Putin’s trip to Tehran has a greater significance than just attending the Caspian Sea conference, argues that considering the long-time pessimism in Iran- Russia relationships, this is a unique opportunity for the Russians to re-establish the confidence in relations between the two countries. (Page 1; 750 words)

2. Unattributed report in “One question, one viewpoint” column entitled: “The Reasons for Putin’s trip

Commenting on the importance of Vladimir Putin’s trip to Tehran, Kazem Jalali said to Tehran-e Emruz that Iran should take advantage of Russian’s discord with the US on the missiles’ issue despite all various issues regarding the Bushehr power plant and the Caspian Sea legal regime. (Page 2; 400 words)

ENDALL

Originally published by Iranian press menu, in Persian 16 Oct 07.

(c) 2007 BBC Monitoring Middle East. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.