DONYAY-E EQTESAD: One important issue raised by the incumbent government in the context of its declared decentralization agenda but was forgotten over time is the issue of relocation of Tehran-based state-owned organizations such as the Oil Ministry and its affiliated companies whose main area of activity is outside the capital. The decision to move the said companies out was an effort to help forge closer relations between managers and workers and solve problems related to and affecting production units more effectively. Critics of that initiative are of the opinion that by being based in Tehran, managers can have easy access to the relevant government officials, be informed of decisions as and when they are made and build the necessary relations with influential lobbies and power circles. Irrespective of the revolutionary pace in telecommunications technology and information superhighways, personal communications undoubtedly is more effective, particularly in the Iranian society. Therefore, there is a pressing need to curb government role in economic affairs and move towards privatization. This is all the more necessary if the whole idea is to discourage the coming up of representative offices in the already overcrowded capital.

HAYAT-E No: The US military presence in the Persian Gulf means that imperial powers have decided to create a regional hegemony in the new Middle East while the same hegemonic order is facing serious challenges. Regional hegemony becomes possible under circumstances in which a country creates a balance and relative stability among conflicting parties without resorting to military force. Although America’s strategic dominance over some countries is inevitable, the policy and pattern can lead to conflict and crises in the Persian Gulf. Under such conditions and given the huge failure of its close ally (Israel) in the 34-day war against Lebanon, US military adventurism in the volatile region can create in its wake more security risks for the imperial power. As it is, Washington’s regional allies are facing a sort of paradox in their security arrangements.

QODS: One of the US goals in the strategic Persian Gulf region is to dominate its huge energy resources, oil and gas in particular. That country also seeks to further expand its share in the extensive markets in littoral Arab sheikhdoms at a time when the US economy is in trouble. Despite limitations in its military might after the illegal war in Iraq and Afghanistan, Washington is trying to justify its questionable domestic policies by forging international coalitions and resorting to help from its traditional allies. This new tactic is now being pursued with the US navy entering the Persian Gulf to stage a psychological war against Iran and other justice-seeking Mideast powers under the fa�ade of military maneuvers. Americans have also been trying to pressure Iran over its civilian nuclear programs by intimidating the Persian Gulf Arab states.

ETTEMAD-E MELLI: The government has only two months to be judged over its decision to change the working hours of banks. It seems that the plan to change the working hours has done little in facilitating the people’s daily tasks. The problem is compounded by the fact that queues outside banks have become bigger and have to wait for longer hours to get their jobs done. Since the move was undertaken on a trial basis and for a limited period, the government should now admit that the plan was a mistake. Those who were involved in the unhelpful bid owe the people an explanation.

HAMSHAHRI: In all confrontations be they political, cultural, economic or military, it is important that the opposing parties be familiar with each other. It goes without saying that in the absence of such familiarization, any conflict or confrontation will be more costly, unsuccessful and protracted. For almost three decades US rulers have spearheaded a hostile policy against Iran’s Islamic Revolution and have even publicly talked about their keen desire to see regime change in Tehran. Climax of the Iran-US animosity was the 1979 capture of the former US Embassy (better known as the spy den) in Tehran by revolutionary university students known as the ’Followers of Imam Khomeini’s Line.’ It seems that the American regime and its politicians are not yet familiar with Iranians. Recent statements by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice regarding plans to establish a ’Riga’ Station similar to what was launched by the US in Latvia in the 1920s shows the US top diplomat does not know much about Iran and Iranians. She said her government has set up a special section in the US Consulate in Dubai to control and monitor Iran and its activities. The US monitored activities inside the former Soviet Union from Latvia during the 1920s but failed to achieve the desired results.

No talk of imposing sanctions against the perpetuators of horrible crimes in Afghanistan, because the victims happened to be Muslims and the perpetuators happened to be the nuclear-armed nations who are permanent members of the United Nations Security Council against whom no one can take any action, no matter how heinous the crime they have committed!
The occupation forces have decided to kill as many Muslims as they can before they are forced out of Afghanistan. These are all revenge killings which have no justification whatsoever! This was not another ’Mistake’!! And the same claim: “All the murdered Afghans were Talibans“!!!
Even the Crusade-crazy war criminals themselves are admitting the truth that if they continue occupation of Muslim land, they will be forced out.
Bush & Blair’s thinking is that, “If our masters, the Zionists, can stay in occupied land for nearly 39 years, why can’t we?
Frantic efforts are underway in Washington and London to find an exit strategy for Iraq as a renewed surge in violence led George W. Bush to admit yesterday that tactics there might need to change. Diplomats and politicians in both capitals are desperately reviewing and debating options that were once regarded as unthinkable.
The review was given added urgency yesterday when 800 gunmen, thought to be part of the Mahdi Army militia, ran amok in Amara, a town transferred by the British to Iraqi control two months ago.
A source in the Amara Police Department said 30 officers and 20 civilians had been killed when the gunmen overran police stations and set up roadblocks. About 500 British soldiers were last night on standby to go back in.
In Washington, Bush said he would consult his top military commanders in Iraq today over whether a change of tactics was necessary. But the president, who is under intense pressure to rethink his Iraq strategy if not his whole approach to foreign policy, said talks with the generals would only concern tactics, not strategy.
With 100 American soldiers already dead in Iraq in October, it is likely to be the worst month for US forces in two years. US officers admitted on Thursday that the effort to pacify the capital, the Baghdad Initiative, had failed.