Week in Review

DoctorZin provides a review of this past week's [5/22-5/28] major news events regarding Iran.

Iran's Presidential Elections:

• United Press International reported that the U.S. will be watching carefully to see what happens in Iran's Presidential elections.
• Iran Shahr Blog reported that Reza Pahlavi is calling on the people of Iran to boycott of the June 17 'elections.'
• Reuters reported that Rafsanjani received 36.2 percent in a recent poll.
  
• Iran Press Service reported that whether they run or not, in the elections, reformists face a disaster.
• The Jerusalem Post reported that Iran's supreme leader called on the people to elect an anti-Western president and that massive turnout of the Iranian nation is an issue of utmost importance.
• The NY Times reported that former Iranian president and candidate Rafsanjani cloaks himself in the trappings of a reformist.
• The Financial Times reports that contrary to the popular images of Mr Rafsanjani as president he was far from successful.
• Khaleej Times reported that Iran’'s President Khatami called on the armed forces, police and hardline militias on Tuesday to keep out of the presidential election.
• Iran Press Service published excerpts of imprisoned Iranian journalist Akbar Ganji's manifesto calling for a boycott of the June 17 elections. A Must Read!
• Reuters reported that Iran's hardline Guardian Council cleared only six out of 1,014 hopefuls to stand for president on June 17. After massive calls for an election boycott, Iran's Supreme Leader asked the Guardian Council to reinstate two "reformist" candidates. The Guardian Council did as told. Many ask the reformist candidates not to run, but reformist candidate Moin decided to run after all.

The EU3 Negotiations with Iran:

Last Sunday -

• Forbes reported that Iran warned the EU3 against pushing for the Islamic Republic to be referred to the UN Security Council, saying such a step would spark 'a crisis over which the Europeans would have no control'.

Monday -

• The Financial Times reported that Iran is considering a proposal under which Tehran would ship uranium gas to Russia to be enriched for its nuclear programme.

Tuesday -

• Reuters reported that there were signs of a split among the EU3 on the eve of nuclear talks with Iran, with Germany opposing British and French preparations to take action against Tehran.
• CNN News reported that nuclear talks between Iran and the European Union were proving more difficult than ever, "Tomorrow's session could bring an end to the extensive talks..."

Wednesday -

• Reuters reported that the EU3 would offer Iran a detailed proposal by the end of July/August on how to resolve their differences over Tehran's nuclear program.
• Washington Post reported that the EU3 offered Iran more than the Bush administration had wanted.
  

Thursday -

• The Wall Street Journal reports that the U.S. agreed to allow Iran to enter membership talks with the WTO.
• Turkish Press reported that US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice reacted cooly to reports of a possible compromise on Iran's nuclear program.
• Scotsman reported that Iranian negotiators said "“We need to consult in Tehran before we make a decision."”

Friday -

• The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran gains another few weeks to work on the nuclear program it concealed from the U.N. for 18 years, while the Europeans think up a bigger bribe.

Saturday -

• Times of India reported that Iran's hard-line Guardian Council has approved a bill forcing Iran to develop nuclear technology, including uranium enrichment.

Iran's trouble making outside of Iran:

• Reuters reported that Iran says U.N. resolution demanding that militias in Lebanon disarm does not apply to the Hizbollah.
• Janes Defense Weekly reported on the mounting evidence of Iranian intelligence activity in Iraq.
• Douglas Mackinnon claimed Iran helping Venezuela going nuclear.

Iran's Nuclear Program:

• WorldNetDaily.com reports that intelligence information asserts North Korea this year transferred components to Iran to assemble a plutonium-based nuclear warhead.
• The Guardian reported that Pakistan delivered uranium enrichment components for analysis by the IAEA.

US Policy and Iran:

• The Associated Press reported that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said it would be an "enormously dangerous" situation if Iran were to become a nuclear weapons state. "We're going to do everything we can to prevent that outcome."
• The NY Times reported that Nicholas Burns, under secretary of state for political affairs, also have a "second track" paralleling diplomatic initiatives on Iran's support for terrorism and its nuclear program. He said the administration was "taking a page from the playbook" on Ukraine and Georgia."
• VOA News reported that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the world must not tolerate any Iranian attempt to develop a nuclear weapon.
• NY Sun reported that Secretary of State Rice, in a potentially significant policy shift for the administration, warned Iran's "unelected leaders" that the day will come when their people will demand the same rights and liberties recently sought by Iraqis and Lebanese.
• The Financial Times reported that a senior US official laid out the Bush administration's policy towards Iran, pledging support for pro-democracy movements but stopping short of endorsing "regime change".

Human Rights/Freedom of the press inside of Iran:

• The Iranian Prospect reported the famous Iranian dissident Akbar Ganji is still on his hunger strike and getting worse. Reports Without Borders weighs in.
• Iran Focus reported that Amnesty International, in its 2005 annual report strongly criticised Iran'’s theocratic regime.
• Reporters Without Borders voiced strong support for the Iranian journalists who yesterday began a series of daily demonstrations outside the parliament.
• Human Rights Watch said the Iranian judiciary continues to delay investigations into the role of its agents in the death of Canadian-Iranian photojournalist, Zahra Kazemi.
• The Globe and Mail reported that Iran told Canada to back off over the case of Montreal photojournalist Zahra Kazemi.
• Tehran Times reported that the Iranian parliament is considering banning Canadian nationals from visiting Iran.
  

Popular struggle for freedom inside of Iran:

• SMCCDI reported that hundreds of students of Tehran University gathered in order to protest. Plus photos.
• SMCCDI reported that four militiamen and a man qualified as an armed assailant were killed.
• SMCCDI reported that hundreds of students residing in the Alame Dorms located in the Pasdaran (former Saltanat-Abad) area staged a protest in solidarity with their colleagues of Amir-Abad dorms.
• SMCCDI reported that in an unprecedented action of civil disobedience members of a maverick orchestra and chorus played and sang the popular "Oh Iran!" instead of the Islamic regime's ideological anthem.
• SMCCDI reported that several students of Shahr-e-Kord University had been wounded following the brutal attack of Islamic regime's plainclothes men against their peaceful gathering.
• Photos of a few women protesting in Tehran for civil rights.
• Iran Focus reports that a warrant officer of Iran'’s Revolutionary Guards shot to death a young man in cold blood, sparking off widespread clashes between angry protesters and security forces against the Islamic regime.
  

Popular struggle for freedom outside of Iran:

• The Committee to Protect Bloggers suggests the first steps in anonymizing your blog.
• Iran va Jahan reported that there are increasing signs of better international linkages with individuals and organization interested in advancing the cause of liberty and human rights in Iran.
• WorldNetDaily.com reports that the names and faces of Iranian students planning demonstrations against the radical cleric-led regime will be made known to the White House to help ensure their protection.
• WorldNetDaily.com reported the conclusion of the 200-mile "Iran Freedom Walk," organized by the Iran Freedom Foundation.
• SMCCDI reported that a group of Iranian secularist activists have protested against the illegal holding of Islamic regime's ballot boxes on the US soil.

Iran and the world community:

• Outlook India reported that Islamabad has agreed to guarantee security for the Indo-Iran gas pipeline.
• Khaleej Times reported that Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf insists that Iran should not acquire a nuclear bomb.
• Middle East Newsline reported that the United Arab Emirates has seized three Iranian boats amid increased military tensions. Earlier, Iran seized a UAE fishing boat. The UAE wants its people freed.

Must Read reports in the Mainstream Media:

• Amir Taheri explains why Europe is wrong on Iran.
• Amir Taheri warns a coalition of Iranian military commanders and mullahs is in the making with the aim of provoking "a direct confrontation" between the Islamic Republic and the United States.
• Stefania LaPenna writing for the Jerusalem Post said for the Iranians Mullahs, "The best weapon is deception." "...it is their ideology."
• WorldTribune.com examined Iran and the new East-West strategic polarization.

The Experts:

• International Institute of Strategic Studies reported on the prospects for the current negotiations between the EU and Iran.
• FrontPageMagazine.com provides a brief on Imad Mugniyah.
• Iran Focus provides a report on Mohammad-Reza Iravani, the deputy chief of VEVAK.

And finally, The Quote of the Week:

Adnkronos International reported that a representative of Iran's Supreme Leader said,

"Vote for Rafsanjani and we will have nuclear bombs."