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Weather Guide
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TUE |
WED |
Tehran: |
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High: |
4 oC |
3 oC |
Low: |
0 oC |
-1 oC |
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Athens |
2 |
2 |
Ankara |
-11 |
-11 |
Paris |
-2 |
1 |
New Delhi |
11 |
11 |
Rome |
1 |
1 |
Riyadh |
7 |
5 |
Frankfurt |
-7 |
-6 |
Cairo |
7 |
5 |
Kuwait City |
7 |
5 |
Karachi |
16 |
16 |
Copenhagen |
-2 |
-2 |
London |
2 |
4 |
Moscow |
-14 |
-17 |
Madrid |
0 |
-5 |
Vienna |
-12 |
-12 |
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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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Leader Lauds 25-Year Resistance
Iran's Proposal Can Help End Mideast Conflict
TEHRAN, Feb. 7--Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Monday said that the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran and its perpetuation stems from the resistance of the Iranian nation to foreign powers.
Addressing a large group of the Air Force commanders and personnel, Ayatollah Khamenei reiterated that the 1979 revolution was the first great revolution in the world which has been able to powerfully continue its march towards its declared aims and the right direction, IRNA reported.
The Iranian nation will once again display its national strength and will on Bahman 22 (Thursday), marking the anniversary of the revolution, he added.
The people's insistence on independence and their resistance to foreign despotism were the major reasons behind the hostility of big powers with the revolution over the past 26 years, the leader noted.
He condemned US policies as the main obstacle to peace and stability in the Middle East. "The Americans wrongly believe that by ignoring the rights of Palestinians and supporting a brutal dictator who massacres Palestinian women, children and elderly, the Palestinian problem will be solved."
The only solution to the Palestinian problem is to listen to and act upon Iran's recommendations, hold a referendum among the Palestinians, set up a popular government on the basis of the referendum, and make a fair and acceptable decision on the fate of the Palestinian refugees, the leader was quoted as saying.
Elsewhere in his speech, Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the Air Force personnel as the source of resistance of the nation and lauded their devotion during the 1980-88 Iraqi-imposed war.
Prior to the leader's speech, the Air Force Commander Brigadier General Karim Qavami briefed the leader on the combat readiness of his forces and measures taken to augment the scientific and combat readiness of the Air Force personnel.
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UN Envoy Confused on Stoning
By Hamid Reza Emadi
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Yakin Erturk, UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, gestures at a press conference in Tehran, Feb. 6. (Photo by Mehdi Khoshnevis)
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TEHRAN, Feb. 7--The United Nations Commission on Human Rights' special rapporteur on Violence Against Women was unable to make up her mind during an embarrassing press conference in Tehran on Sunday.
Yakin Erturk expressed hope that the directive introduced by Iran's judiciary on the moratorium on stoning would soon become a law "since incidents of stoning are reportedly continuing despite the directive."
In response to a question whether there is any authentic information of incidents of stoning, she said an Iranian woman, Jila Izadi, was stoned in the western city of Marivan.
"One case (of stoning) is Jila Izadi in Marivan, Kurdistan province," she said.
However, Jila appeared to have been acquitted a few minutes later when Erturk admitted she had made a mistake.
"I'm sorry, I must make a correction. I think we have mixed up cases. Please delete that information about Jila Izadi, she was sentenced, but was acquitted," the senior UN official said.
"Please do not quote the wrong information, I apologize for this."
The correction came after Iran Daily reminded her that stoning has remained only on paper and never put into practice in recent years. The special rapporteur responded to a question by Iran Daily on "how credible could reports coming out of the UN be in light of wrongdoings and reports of harassment by senior UN officials and staff."
If the UN is going to demand accountability from states, it would need to hold itself accountable as well, she stressed.
UN peacekeepers in Congo sexually abused and exploited women and girls, some as young as 13, according to a report released by a UN watchdog last month.
Sexual contact between peacekeepers and Congolese women and girls occurred regularly, usually in exchange for food or small sums of money, an investigation by the Office of Internal Oversight Services found.
Meeting African leaders at a summit in Abuja, Nigeria, on January 31, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan sounded the alarm about peacekeepers who abuse civilians and reiterated his call for swift punishment of such egregious behavior.
During her stay in Iran, the UN special rapporteur on Violence Against Women met representatives of the judiciary, the executive branch of the government and the parliament. She also met with women activists defending human rights, academicians, journalists and lawyers, women inmates in the high-security Evin Prison and families of victims of human rights violations.
"I'm encouraged by a number of positive developments, especially the higher number of girl students in higher education, said to be 62 percent of the total," she said.
Erturk, however, expressed serious concerns about the situation of prisoners in Iran.
"Concerning violence perpetuated or condoned by the state, I'm seriously concerned about arbitrary arrests and solitary confinements," she said, adding that some of the detainees are denied access to legal counsel.
Iranian women are subject to violence both at home and in society, she told reporters.
She urged Iranian judicial authorities to ensure transparency and provide dates and concrete procedures for the implementation of judicial reforms, which are now under study to help improve administration of justice for women.
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American General Will
Coordinate Middle East Peace Moves
RAMALAH, Occupied Palestine, Feb. 7- -Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced Monday the appointment of a US general as security coordinator to help Israel and the Palestinians protect budding peace moves.
She said new Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, due to meet at a landmark summit in Egypt Tuesday on halting more than four years of violence, would visit the White House in the spring, Reuters reported.
Ending a Middle East visit that signaled a renewed US commitment to peace efforts after Yasser Arafat's death, Rice told a news conference Lieutenant-General William Ward had been appointed security coordinator.
"The idea is to have someone who is responsible for helping the Palestinians on reform of their security forces, for helping with monitoring and not to supplant the activities and the efforts of the parties," Rice said.
"We have agreed on a ceasefire with the Palestinian factions ... and we hope that we will get a positive response from the Israelis on a mutual ceasefire," said Abbas in a joint press conference with Rice.
Earlier in Gaza, a spokesman for the militant Hamas group said it would "study the outcome of the summit" and then decide on its course of action.
US President George W. Bush has pledged $350 million in aid to the Palestinians. Rice announced $40 million would be given to them within 90 days in a "quick action program" to help in job creation and rebuilding infrastructure.
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Suicide Bombers Kill 27 In Mosul, Baquba
Al-Qaeda Claims Responsibility
BAGHDAD, Iraq,
Feb. 7--Suicide bombers killed at least 27 people in attacks in two Iraqi cities Monday in the worst bloodshed since the country's historic election eight days ago.
Al-Qaeda's wing in Iraq, led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, claimed responsibility for both blasts and vowed to carry out further attacks on "apostates and their masters," an apparent reference to US-led forces and the Iraqis who work with them, Reuters reported.
At least 15 civilians were killed and 17 wounded when a suicide car bomb exploded outside the main police headquarters in the town of Baquba, northeast of Baghdad.
In the northern city of Mosul, 12 people were killed and four wounded when a suicide bomber targeted a crowd of police officers in a hospital compound.
A large crater was blown in the road and at least five cars were destroyed. Most, if not all, the victims were thought to be police officers waiting to collect their salaries.
Zarqawi's group tried to wreck the Jan. 30 polls but failed, despite sending several suicide bombers to polling centers.
More than a week after Iraq's first multi-party election in 50 years, the result remains unknown, though electoral officials were expected to release partial results from the north and center of the country later, which should make things clearer.
A religious Shi'ite coalition is leading by a long way with two-thirds of the vote and, buoyed by its strong showing, is insisting on the prime minister's job in the new government.
The post is currently held by Iyad Allawi, a secular Shi'ite whose bloc is in second place with only 18 percent of the vote.
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Transparency Key To Anti-Terror Campaign
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Feb. 7--Dual attitudes towards the problem of terrorism will doom the global anti-terrorism campaign to failure, head of the Iranian delegation to an the international conference here said Sunday.
"Iran as the biggest victim of terrorism, has suffered severe financial and human losses in recent decades. The Iranian government and nation are aware of the harmful consequences of this ominous phenomenon and the serious ways to fight it," Amir Saeid Iravani said, IRNA reported.
He pointed to President Mohammad Khatami's initiative of Dialogue Among Civilizations, saying the proposal was made to help resolve international problems and materialize the global society and culture of tolerance and democracy in the world.
"Broad support by the international community to the president's initiative showed that international challenges can be addressed only through dialogue and exchange of opinions.
"A serious fight against terrorism demands firm determination of countries and UN leadership," the official stated.
He stressed the need of upholding transparency and avoiding dual, optional and unilateral attitudes as important issues which should be debated at the anti-terrorism campaign.
An eight-member Iranian political and security delegation is in Saudi Arabia to participate in the international conference on the fight against terrorism which opened on Feb. 5.
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Gov't Access To Mass Media Limited
TEHRAN, Feb. 7--Government Spokesman Abdollah Ramezanzadeh said here Monday the Khatami administration prefers a strong public turnout in the next presidential elections following attempts by some political groups to discourage people to come out and vote.
The official told reporters at his weekly press briefing that the pro-reform government has had limited access to mass media channels to publicize its economic achievements.
"If the government had its own (broadcast) media, it would inform the nation that during the past seven years, when President Mohammad Khatami ran the country's affairs, 40 million Iranians got access to the national gas supply network," he said, adding that the power industry generated 2,000 megawatts of electricity per annum during the period.
Ramezanzadeh said Khatami managed to stabilize the national economy and maintain growth rates above six percent, achievements he said were unprecedented in the past 25 years.
He called on the prosecutor general to take legal action against a presidential hopeful, who had reportedly insulted the government.
"Ahmad Tavakkoli has insulted the government, the parliament, the (constitutional watchdog) Guardians Council and the State Expediency Council," he said, stressing, however, that the government is not planning to sue him.
Tavakkoli, who heads the Majlis Research Center, had accused the government of trying to introduce a "purely American-style Islam" in the Fourth Development Plan (2005-2010).
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Malaysia Lauds Confidence-Building Measures
Tehran Sincere In Nuclear Talks
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Feb. 7--Malaysian Foreign Minister Hamid Albar on Monday lauded Iran's nuclear confidence-building policy.
Albar told visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi that his country supported Iran's policy for cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, IRNA reported.
Kharrazi arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Monday on a two-day official visit to discuss bilateral relations as well as regional and international developments.
"Iran has had effective cooperation with the agency and we believe in honoring the rights of developing states, including Iran, to the peaceful use of nuclear energy," said Albar.
Kharrazi for his part said Iran is committed to the development of a peaceful nuclear energy program to assist its economic development goals.
Tehran is serious and sincere in the talks with the EU3 and expects the Europeans to do likewise, he added.
The minister said Iran has had good cooperation with the IAEA and agreed to the IAEA inspections within the framework of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in line with its declared policy of building confidence.
The two foreign ministers discussed major regional and international issues, including UN reforms, upcoming meeting for revision of the NPT, the South-South cooperation, contribution to the OIC and international developments.
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Making Economic Sense
By Ali Mazrouei
It is generally accepted that the main reasons behind economic backwardness and emergence of the disturbing cycle of poverty is the lack or absence of capital for investment and higher production. A nation, which for any reason is unable or unwilling to save a portion of its production and revenues for investments, will automatically fall into decline and grapple with non-advancement.
Under the conditions and with the passage of time, the volume of the countryÕs economic ills will multiply with adverse affects on employment and living standards.
Every society that can save a higher percentage of its earnings and channel it into investment schemes will experience sustainable economic development and by extension reduce unemployment and poverty.
Although our country has to some extent met the investment needs of the growing population thanks to the oil resources, high population growth rates of the recent past, and excessive dependence on oil exports has visibly hampered access to effective financial resources for development projects.
It is amply clear that to be able to confront the dilemma of the increasing numbers of jobseekers, it is incumbent to attract bigger volumes of investments and attain annual growth rates of over eight percent.
This again demands new investments close to 10 percent of the GDP. Thus, in theoretical terms, the ratio of gross fixed capital formation to GDP should rise to about 44 percent in the coming years to cut the dole queues and create jobs for the armies of unemployed.
In short, if today from every two Iranian families one has problems regarding unemployment of its youth, it can only be solved with more investments. Investments can come in three ways. The first is government investments, which in view of the annual rise in state expenditures is fast declining. Second is foreign investment, which again has its own constraints.
Add to this the direction of the Majlis and the recent legislations that are far from investor-friendly.
The third source of capital is the domestic private sector, which has its own requirements, including stable legal, political and social structures.
In the capital market profit rates play a key role and the banking system, the Tehran Stock Exchange as well as the participation bond system cannot function efficiently without reasonable profit margins. It is obvious that if the real profit rate in the capital market, that is the nominal profit rate minus inflation, is negative, there will be little incentive for the people to save.
If this happens, most understandably will prefer to trade in hard currency, gold bullion, land, real estate, durable consumer goods... to protect the value of their money.
If in recent years we witnessed a significant growth in savings, presence of the people in the stock market, and public enthusiasm towards participation bonds it was primarily due to the flexibility of the profit rate. It must be understood that when there is no rational relationship between the bank profit rates with other economic parameters, including the inflation rate, the outcome will be economic chaos. Let us hope that those who are pushing for lowering the bank profit rates will realize that savings, investments and the profit rate are interlinked. Abrupt twists and turns in any of them can, and will, drastically affect the health of economy and create more problems, not solve them.
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