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Identification
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Published by the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA)
Address:
Iran Cultural & Press Institute, #212 Khorramshahr Avenue Tehran/Iran
Managing Director: Mohammad T. Roghaniha
Executive Editor: Amin Sabooni
Editorial Dept. Tel: 8755761-2
Editorial Dept. Fax: 8761869
Advertising Dept. Tel: 8753119, 8757702, 8733764
Internet Address:
www.iran-daily.com
E-mail Address:
iran-daily@iran-daily.com
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N. Korea: US Planning Invasion
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A satellite image of the well-known Yongbyon nuclear facility, located about 100 kilometers north of Pyongyang, N. Korea (Reuters File Photo)
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SEOUL, South Korea, Feb. 12--North Korea on Saturday said the United States was seeking to invade North Korea in order to turn the Korean Peninsula into a springboard for its dominance in Asia.
Rodong Sinmun, the official daily of the Stalinist country's ruling Korean Workers Party, also accused Washington of exploiting "human rights" issues in order to cover up its hegemonic agenda, Reuters reported.
The comments came two days after Pyongyang said it would no longer engage in multilateral talks aimed at resolving a standoff over its nuclear programs, declaring it had made atomic bombs to protect itself against a US attack.
"It is an invariable ambition of the US to invade the DPRK (North Korea) and dominate Asia with the Korean Peninsula as a springboard and establish a global order of its domination," the daily said.
"The US has gone arrogant enough to divide countries of the world into this or that category and pursue a hegemonic and unilateral policy, styling itself the world 'leader'," it said.
"The US talk about 'peace and human rights' is nothing but a slogan for invading and dominating other countries and a subterfuge to cover up its criminal nature," the newspaper added.
Analysts said Pyongyang might have withdrawn from the six-party talks on its nuclear weapons in order to increase its leverage in the long-running negotiations.
There have been three rounds of the six-party talks since August 2003, involving the two Koreas, the United States, Japan, China and Russia.
North Korea boycotted a fourth round in September 2004, complaining that the United States sticks to its ÔhostileÕ policy toward the communist country.
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Rumsfeld Notes Close Iran Approach With EU
MUNICH, Germany, Feb. 12--The United States and the European Union share the view that Iran must not be permitted to develop nuclear weapons and their approaches to ensuring this does not happen are very close, US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said here Saturday.
"There's not much daylight between the approaches of the United States and the Europeans" on Iran, Rumsfeld said at an annual international security conference in Munich, AFP reported.
"There is very broad agreement: It is not in the interest of the world that there be a nuclear program in Iran," Rumsfeld said.
He said the United States had ÔhopeÕ that three key European Union countries--Britain, German and France--spearheading an EU initiative to persuade Iran through diplomatic negotiations to restrict its nuclear program would achieve that goal.
The United States and the European Union agreed that the current direction of Iran's nuclear program "is not something that would contribute to stability in the world," he said.
Meanwhile in Tehran, Iran's senior negotiator said EU negotiators appeared to be more serious in the latest round of talks with Iran over its nuclear program but cautioned that considerable differences remain.
"In previous rounds of talks, the Europeans were not very serious. Therefore, we were heavily critical, and this time the European side was more serious," Hossein Moussavian told Iran's state television on Saturday.
"That's why we consider the negotiations process more positive."
Tehran insists its talks with the European Union, which began in mid-December, must have concrete results within three months if they are to continue.
On Friday, diplomats said EU negotiators had offered to send a mission to help Iran obtain a nuclear light-water research reactor, in what would be the first concrete move towards rewarding Tehran for abandoning uranium enrichment.
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Islamists Triumph
In Saudi Elections
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Feb. 12--Islamist-backed candidates triumphed over tribal opponents and businessmen in Saudi Arabia's landmark men-only elections in the capital Riyadh, according to preliminary results released on Friday.
Losing candidates cried foul, saying six of the seven victors had violated a ban on election alliances when their names were circulated via mobile phones and the Internet to voters in the deeply conservative Muslim kingdom with messages suggesting they had Islamist backing, Reuters reported.
"There were regulations which forbade any coalitions. Those regulations were violated," defeated candidate Zafer Al-Yami told Reuters. "They won through this violation."
"I don't know them personally...But they had a religious character to them," he said of the winners, adding that he planned to appeal the result.
Thursday's municipal elections in Riyadh and outlying areas were the first stage of an unprecedented nationwide vote in the kingdom, which is edging toward political reform under pressure from the United States and domestic activists.
Hundreds of candidates registered to stand for the seven seats up for grabs in the capital. The other seven seats will be appointed and the powers of the municipal councils are likely to be limited. Women were barred from voting or standing.
At least one candidate was estimated to have spent millions of riyals (hundreds of thousands of dollars) on election posters, newspapers advertisements and rallies as part of his unsuccessful campaign.
Turnout in the capital had been 65 percent of registered voters, though only a small fraction of the eligible male voters bothered to register in December, reflecting skepticism over the powers the half-elected councils will wield.
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Heavy Snowfall Disrupts Life In Gilan
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Cars were blanketed with heavy snow in the northern city of Rasht, Gilan province, Feb. 11. (ISNA Photo)
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RASHT, Gilan,
Feb. 12--An official said on Saturday the towns of Lahijan, Astaneh-Ashrafiyeh, Kouchesfahan and Siyahkal in Gilan province are suffering from power cuts due to heavy snow and torn electrical cables.
According to IRNA, the head of Public Relations Office of GilanÕs Regional Electricity Directorate, Alireza Mozayyen, added, ÒElectricity cables and power stations in Rasht are 100-percent functional and only the 60-volt power stations of these four towns are problematic.Ó
In the past five days, there have been over two meters of snow in Rasht and over four meters in GilanÕs highlands.
Heavy snow has damaged over 5,000 residential and commercial units as well as schools in Gilan.
Iran DailyÕs Farzaneh Shokri reported that lives of thousands of residents of Gilan have been disrupted in the wake of heavy snowfalls in the past 40 hours.
The situation is critical in the province at the moment.
Many of the people, whose residential units were damaged, have been sheltered in mosques and gymnasiums.
One of the residents of Rasht, Ali Kouchaki, said, ÒSome parts of the city have been deprived of electricity and tap water from Wednesday. The adjacent villages also have no access to electricity or tap water.Ó
Referring to the critical condition of RashtÕs hospitals, he noted that in the past couple of days, the heating system of hospitals did not work and this created many problems for the patients.
ÒSo far, the city officials have been able to clear inner-city roads, but roads connecting villages are still closed. Some of the people who lost their lives when their houses collapsed are still under the debris,Ó he said.
The Central Meteorological Office has forecast that snowfall will continue in Gilan until Thursday.
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Torpedo Production Launched
TEHRAN, Feb. 12--With the inauguration of torpedo production line at Defense Industries Organization, IranÕs naval forces have found access to an efficient weapon.
According to ISNA, these torpedoes can be installed in warships, submarines and helicopters.
During the inauguration ceremony, Defense Minister Vice Admiral Ali Shamkhani said, ÒForeigners thought us that with the victory of the Islamic Revolution, the dismissal of foreign military advisors and also the imposition of an unequal war and economic sanctions, the countryÕs defense capabilities would be weakened. However, in light of our self-confidence, which stems from the lofty ideals of Imam Khomeini, their dream did not come true.Ó
He noted that with the production of torpedoes, IranÕs marine defense capabilities have been completed.
ÒThese torpedoes cannot be detected by the enemies and are also very fast,Ó he said.
Shamkhani concluded by saying that any attack on Iran will be responded most severely by the armed forces and aggressors will be defeated.
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Ebadi Complains of Threats, Harassment
TEHRAN, Feb. 12--Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi in a letter to President Mohammad Khatami said people have been threatening her and hindering her social activism.
The letter dated Feb. 8, a copy of which was faxed to ISNA on Saturday, read, ÒIn the past couple of months, I have been summoned to court twice. The first time I was summoned by Tehran Revolutionary Court and a private plaintiff had raised a complaint against me. Finally, it was decided that I should not be arrested. Although the final verdict has not been officially handed to me, I am optimistic that I have no problems with this dossier.Ó
The missive went on to add, ÒFor the second time, I was summoned by Branch 8 of Tehran Public Court. I was notified of the summons by my lawyers. I did not even know what the complaint was and what would ultimately happen.Ó
Ebadi pointed out that she has received threats to her life several times.
She noted that the metallic fence of her parking lot at her residence has been broken twice. Referring to her imprisonment in Evin Prison in 2000, she said, ÒAccording to the verdict of TehranÕs Appeals Court, I was sentenced to payment of a cash fine. Although over four years have lapsed since the verdict was finalized, each and every time I went to pay the fine and withdraw my collateral, which is my houseÕs ownership document, I have encountered problems. Consequently, my houseÕs ownership document is still with the judicial officials without any legal justification.Ó
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Bistoon's LAB Project To Boost Spain Cooperation
KERMANSHAH, Feb. 12--President Mohammad Khatami on Saturday appreciated Spain's participation in the linear alkyl benzene (LAB) project of Bistoon Petrochemical Company.
Talking to officials of the company during a meeting, Khatami said he hoped Tehran-Madrid cooperation would be further bolstered with the implementation of the project, IRNA reported.
Pointing to Iran's prominent position on critical issues, he said the country and people seek good ties with all countries with due respect for the states' national interests.
The president also noted that historical relations between Iran and Spain can be the basis for joint initiatives toward establishment of peace and stability in the world.
The president was also briefed on ongoing company projects by its managing director, Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh.
Bistoon Petrochemical Company's first plant was officially inaugurated by the president early Saturday.
Over $135 million and 437 billion rials have been invested in the LAB project.
The plant is expected to produce $50 million of LAB and $3 million of heavy alkylate annually.
President Khatami also inaugurated the biggest hospital in the whole of western and northwestern Iran in Kermanshah.
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Setback For Condi
By Nawab Khan, Brussels
Her favorite theme is Iran-bashing. The new US secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice appears to be long obsessed with the Islamic Republic.
Iran topped the agenda during the course of her eight-day whirlwind tour of European capitals. The iron-lady of the White House had two main messages for European leaders: forget past differences with the US on Iraq and get tough on Iran's nuclear program.
But when she reached Brussels on Wednesday, Rice appeared to be a bit conciliatory. Perhaps she wanted to appease the Europeans during her first foray into the heartland of European political decision-making.
Rice said Washington was not setting any deadline for progress in EU diplomatic efforts on IranÕs nuclear program.
ÒWeÕve set no deadline, no timeline.Ó Rice told a press conference at NATO before meeting the European Commission leadership.
As the weekly Economist observed, Rice did not persuade the Europeans that she had a clear strategy on Iran.
ÒThe thorniest difference to emerge was over Iran. It was reflected in Rice's impatience with European attempts to persuade, rather than use sanctions to force, Tehran to abandon its suspected nuclear weapons program,Ó the International Herald Tribune noted.
In private, European officials express exasperation at her drabber punches against Iran (Òoutpost of tyrannyÓ) which they believe are aimed at harming the EU-Iran rapprochement process.
Despite RiceÕs rhetoric of reconciliation such as opening a Ònew chapterÓ in transatlantic relations, "working together for the great goal of freedom in the Middle East,Ó she failed to fill any holes that divide transatlantic relations.
Americans and Europeans continue to differ over major global issues: Iran, China, Kyoto, unilateralism, International Court of Justice, to name a few.
The President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, delivered his own message to Rice on multilateralism saying neither Europe nor the US could deal with global challenges alone.
ÒMore than ever, Europe needs the United States and the United States needs Europe. We must seize this opportunity with both hands. TodayÕs international problems are too complex to go it alone,Ó he stressed.
Officials in Brussels insist the process of engagement and dialogue with Tehran will continue, whether Washington likes it or not.
Moreover, the EU intends to lift its arms embargo on China sometime this year, despite American opposition.
The next stage for EU-US diplomatic and political playfield is now being prepared when President Bush arrives in Brussels on Feb. 22. The visit by an American president to EU headquarters reflects White House acknowledgment of the growing global role and influence of the European bloc.
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