Young Khomeini calls on Bush to intervene in Iran
""Welcome Mister Khomeini," read the unlikely sign hanging on the 12th floor of a Washington building, home to a conservative think tank hosting the Ayatollah Khomeini's grandson.
Facing journalists and re-searchers in dark suits, Hossein Khomeini, dressed in a traditional white jacket and black turban, took easily to the question-and-answer routine.
"Do you think that Iran has an atomic weapon?" asked an Iranian-American journalist in Farsi.
Khomeini's piercing eyes darkened as his eyebrow furrowed.
"I have no specific information. But it is such a troublemaker-regime that I won't be surprised. And if they don't have it now, they will have it in the future, I have no doubt about it," he said, running his finger along his beard, which is not yet as thick as his grandfather's...."
Tuesday, September 30, 2003
Yahoo News:"The secretive Nobel panel picked a winner on September 29, 2003 for the Peace Prize to be unveiled next week. Among the top candidates, shown in this combination of undated file photos, are jailed Iranian dissident Hashem Aghajari (top,L), Pope John Paul II, (top,R), International Atomic Energy Agency head Mohamed ElBaradei (bottom,L) and Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. (Staff/Reuters)..."
Hashem Aghajeri; candidate for the Nobel peace prize…!
Of course he was the one who caused one of the biggest opposing movements of students; actually he gave a reason for starting it. There is no doubt that if he gets the prize, the world view of the Iranian students’ movement would be much better. But anyway, it’s a fact that he didn’t do anything special except talking about the truth & mentioned some facts; but that can be so much brave & magnificent somewhere like here, & can ever brings a peace prize… It’s a very interesting & unique country; where we live in!
Friday, September 26, 2003
Bush: Iran Faces World Condemnation over Nukes
"President Bush says Iran faces what he calls "universal condemnation" if it does not give up what Washington believes is a secret nuclear weapons program.
Mr. Bush said Thursday he told many fellow world leaders at the United Nations that it is important to come together regarding Iran's nuclear plans. He said they responded positively.
Mr. Bush also plans to talk about Iran with Russian President Vladimir Putin at Camp David Friday and Saturday...."
Things get more serious, but it seems that Iran's leaders aren't going to change their minds:
Iran will not give up uranium enrichment: FM
"NEW YORK, Sept 24 (AFP) - Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi said that his country would not give up its uranium enrichment programme, insisting it was purely for civilian purposes...."
"President Bush says Iran faces what he calls "universal condemnation" if it does not give up what Washington believes is a secret nuclear weapons program.
Mr. Bush said Thursday he told many fellow world leaders at the United Nations that it is important to come together regarding Iran's nuclear plans. He said they responded positively.
Mr. Bush also plans to talk about Iran with Russian President Vladimir Putin at Camp David Friday and Saturday...."
Things get more serious, but it seems that Iran's leaders aren't going to change their minds:
Iran will not give up uranium enrichment: FM
"NEW YORK, Sept 24 (AFP) - Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi said that his country would not give up its uranium enrichment programme, insisting it was purely for civilian purposes...."
Wednesday, September 24, 2003
IAEA team to visit Iran on 26th
"The UN nuclear watchdog is to send its first inspection team to Iran on Friday (Sept 26) since imposing an Oct 31 deadline on Tehran to prove it is not secretly developing nuclear weapons, a spokeswoman said.
"The first mission is leaving on Friday and what will follow will be a lot of talks and inspections," Melissa Fleming said.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had on Sept 12 imposed the deadline on Iran, also urging it to suspend enriching uranium which the United States claims could be used to make nuclear bombs...."
"The UN nuclear watchdog is to send its first inspection team to Iran on Friday (Sept 26) since imposing an Oct 31 deadline on Tehran to prove it is not secretly developing nuclear weapons, a spokeswoman said.
"The first mission is leaving on Friday and what will follow will be a lot of talks and inspections," Melissa Fleming said.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had on Sept 12 imposed the deadline on Iran, also urging it to suspend enriching uranium which the United States claims could be used to make nuclear bombs...."
Tuesday, September 23, 2003
"I traveled to Iran recently. Many of my North-American friends and family questioned the wisdom of my decision at the time I announced my intention. Iran, known in America for being a member in good standing of the "axis of evil", homeland of Ayatollah Khomeini and legions of imagined but unknown terrorists and American haters, is not a popular tourist destination for westerners. The most asked questions about my intention were "why?" and "do you think that it is safe?"...."
Here is the first & here is the second part of Duncan Beatty's note of travel to Iran; It's really interesting when you read what someone from another place thinks about the country you live. You know, I think there are some kinds of truth about a place that only a foreigner can understand & mention. So, that is really worth reading...
Here is the first & here is the second part of Duncan Beatty's note of travel to Iran; It's really interesting when you read what someone from another place thinks about the country you live. You know, I think there are some kinds of truth about a place that only a foreigner can understand & mention. So, that is really worth reading...
Sunday, September 21, 2003
... As it is still a summer night but I can clearly see the signs of fall, & that makes me good. I have badly missed cold & snowy nights of fall & winter, & now I feel excited about their return….
This Tuesday is the first day of Mehr (the first month of fall) & also the day of going to school; & what a fuckin day it is! As three other days after Tuesday are also holidays, so nobody really feels like going to school; I might also not go. It depends on what my friends do & also my mood in coming days.
As far as I know, Iran is the only country that has such a strange kind of holidays for school. You are free for three months to get sick of holidays & wish to go back to school, & then after nine months studying you find a same feeling about school; it’s the worst kind it can be.
Although I was enjoying my time in summer but now I somehow miss school, of course not all the things about school; as I’m totally sorry that I should tolerate those hateful & dictatrix rules for another year….with all disadvantages there is something wonderful in these days that I will find out their value later…
Anyways, this summer has also passed. The one that was expected to be another kind but somehow surprised others, in many ways…
This Tuesday is the first day of Mehr (the first month of fall) & also the day of going to school; & what a fuckin day it is! As three other days after Tuesday are also holidays, so nobody really feels like going to school; I might also not go. It depends on what my friends do & also my mood in coming days.
As far as I know, Iran is the only country that has such a strange kind of holidays for school. You are free for three months to get sick of holidays & wish to go back to school, & then after nine months studying you find a same feeling about school; it’s the worst kind it can be.
Although I was enjoying my time in summer but now I somehow miss school, of course not all the things about school; as I’m totally sorry that I should tolerate those hateful & dictatrix rules for another year….with all disadvantages there is something wonderful in these days that I will find out their value later…
Anyways, this summer has also passed. The one that was expected to be another kind but somehow surprised others, in many ways…
Thursday, September 18, 2003
Hear it from cameras...!
Fast Forward…here are some photos of Iran & Iranian people by Reza Memar on The Iranian; I found the first photo Interesting, that’s how the roof of the most apartments in Tehran look like these days. Actually that’s one of the ways that Iranians inside & outside country can communicate together & that makes the government scared, so that’s illegal; anyway take a look at these photos…
Here is also another series of photos of some girls by Yalda Moaiery, on womeniniran. They are taken during a tennis match; you might find them interesting & can have a view of how girls wear these days in Tehran…
Fast Forward…here are some photos of Iran & Iranian people by Reza Memar on The Iranian; I found the first photo Interesting, that’s how the roof of the most apartments in Tehran look like these days. Actually that’s one of the ways that Iranians inside & outside country can communicate together & that makes the government scared, so that’s illegal; anyway take a look at these photos…
Here is also another series of photos of some girls by Yalda Moaiery, on womeniniran. They are taken during a tennis match; you might find them interesting & can have a view of how girls wear these days in Tehran…
Wednesday, September 17, 2003
Iran yet to overcome its anger over IAEA ultimatum
"TEHRAN, Sept 17 (AFP) -- Iran may be seeking to dampen fears it could follow the path of North Korea and pull out of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, but officials here have yet to swallow their anger over what they see as an unfair ultimatum issued by the UN's atomic watchdog....
"Iran is fully committed to its NPT responsibilities, not only because of its contractual obligation but also because of its religious and ethical considerations," Iranian vice president and atomic energy agency chief Gholamreza Aghazadeh said...."
"TEHRAN, Sept 17 (AFP) -- Iran may be seeking to dampen fears it could follow the path of North Korea and pull out of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, but officials here have yet to swallow their anger over what they see as an unfair ultimatum issued by the UN's atomic watchdog....
"Iran is fully committed to its NPT responsibilities, not only because of its contractual obligation but also because of its religious and ethical considerations," Iranian vice president and atomic energy agency chief Gholamreza Aghazadeh said...."
Monday, September 15, 2003
Third shooting at British embassy in Iran
" motorcycle passenger has fired shots at the gates of the British embassy in Iran, the third time the mission has been targeted this month.
As with the previous incidents, nobody was hurt in the shooting, said British diplomat Andrew Greenstock.
Tensions have been rising between Tehran and London over Britain's arrest at Argentina's request of a former Iranian diplomat in connection with the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires that killed 85 people...."
" motorcycle passenger has fired shots at the gates of the British embassy in Iran, the third time the mission has been targeted this month.
As with the previous incidents, nobody was hurt in the shooting, said British diplomat Andrew Greenstock.
Tensions have been rising between Tehran and London over Britain's arrest at Argentina's request of a former Iranian diplomat in connection with the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires that killed 85 people...."
Our unreliable keepers of safety...
I don’t know what is really going on in the city but there are many Police cars in the streets & they are increasing pressure on people.
I heard from someone that they have special plans for this week & are keeping arresting young girls & boys with no special reason.
For example today that I met my friend & she said that her cousin was arrested because he was walking with a girl & now he is in prison & must be whipped & also pay a lot of money as forfeit, she was really depressed & sorry, not for her cousin but for herself that is living in a place that crimes have that strange meanings, yeah, we all must be sorry for ourselves.
But I’m wondering what has happened to people that can’t do anything except being sorry! What is going on with them that let them see young boys & girls lashed, hit, depressed & in so much pain …Just God know what this regime has done to Iranians that has took all they have, their senses, humanity, beliefs & their know Persian prejudice…
Anyways; these days, streets aren’t very safe because of police cars & arrests. Naturally you must be scared & try to be far from police cars, & what an awful city it would be as Tehran is…It’s a shame to be scared of the ones who are supposed to make you feel safe, It’s also a shame to write about realities that really bother people in a part of world but others might be even unable to thing of them.
I don’t know what is really going on in the city but there are many Police cars in the streets & they are increasing pressure on people.
I heard from someone that they have special plans for this week & are keeping arresting young girls & boys with no special reason.
For example today that I met my friend & she said that her cousin was arrested because he was walking with a girl & now he is in prison & must be whipped & also pay a lot of money as forfeit, she was really depressed & sorry, not for her cousin but for herself that is living in a place that crimes have that strange meanings, yeah, we all must be sorry for ourselves.
But I’m wondering what has happened to people that can’t do anything except being sorry! What is going on with them that let them see young boys & girls lashed, hit, depressed & in so much pain …Just God know what this regime has done to Iranians that has took all they have, their senses, humanity, beliefs & their know Persian prejudice…
Anyways; these days, streets aren’t very safe because of police cars & arrests. Naturally you must be scared & try to be far from police cars, & what an awful city it would be as Tehran is…It’s a shame to be scared of the ones who are supposed to make you feel safe, It’s also a shame to write about realities that really bother people in a part of world but others might be even unable to thing of them.
It’s about one week to the end of holidays & I can’t believe how fast it passed & how strange it was. All the things that happened, all this change & this whole summer seem more like a dream.
I don’t feel like going back to school & somehow think that I haven’t still take enough of the summer; but that makes no difference, simple signs of nature & the strange smell of fall remind me that a new season of the year is coming & perhaps a new season of my life…
In the last few weeks I couldn’t spend much time on my weblog, I’m also sure that by going to school number of my posts in this weblog & generally all my activities will increase! Actually that’s a fact that when I have lessons to study I feel more like doing anything else except what I have to!!!
I don’t feel like going back to school & somehow think that I haven’t still take enough of the summer; but that makes no difference, simple signs of nature & the strange smell of fall remind me that a new season of the year is coming & perhaps a new season of my life…
In the last few weeks I couldn’t spend much time on my weblog, I’m also sure that by going to school number of my posts in this weblog & generally all my activities will increase! Actually that’s a fact that when I have lessons to study I feel more like doing anything else except what I have to!!!
Saturday, September 13, 2003
A bit late, but….
I had some things to say but the through the previous days I couldn’t write a thing about September 11, now I just say that like anyone else in the world I’m sorry for the all the people who have lost their loved ones in terrorism attacks & wish to see the inexistence of terrorism regimes & groups, specially The Islamic Republic of Iran!!!
I had some things to say but the through the previous days I couldn’t write a thing about September 11, now I just say that like anyone else in the world I’m sorry for the all the people who have lost their loved ones in terrorism attacks & wish to see the inexistence of terrorism regimes & groups, specially The Islamic Republic of Iran!!!
Thursday, September 11, 2003
Iran says it may review nuclear cooperation
"Iran will be forced to review cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog if it is denied the right to a peaceful nuclear program, Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi has told the official news agency.
Kharrazi made the comments to the IRNA news agency as diplomats said the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) board in Vienna appeared ready to approve a US-backed resolution giving Tehran until October 31 to reveal the full extent of its nuclear program...."
"Iran will be forced to review cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog if it is denied the right to a peaceful nuclear program, Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi has told the official news agency.
Kharrazi made the comments to the IRNA news agency as diplomats said the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) board in Vienna appeared ready to approve a US-backed resolution giving Tehran until October 31 to reveal the full extent of its nuclear program...."
Saturday, September 06, 2003
REGION: US to push for strong IAEA resolution on Iran
"VIENNA: The United States will push for “a strong resolution” on Iran’s suspect nuclear programme at a meeting of the UN’s nuclear watchdog next week, the US ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Thursday.
“The US’ goal is to pass a strong resolution that will support the IAEA’s efforts to get to the bottom of Iran’s nuclear programme,” ambassador Kenneth Brill told AFP. Brill said the hoped-for resolution should “stress the urgency of Iran cooperating fully with the IAEA, which it has yet to do.”
...TEHRAN: Iran needs time to convince hard-liners before making a final decision on signing a protocol requested by the UN nuclear agency allowing more intrusive inspections of its nuclear facilities, a top presidency official said Wednesday...."
"VIENNA: The United States will push for “a strong resolution” on Iran’s suspect nuclear programme at a meeting of the UN’s nuclear watchdog next week, the US ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Thursday.
“The US’ goal is to pass a strong resolution that will support the IAEA’s efforts to get to the bottom of Iran’s nuclear programme,” ambassador Kenneth Brill told AFP. Brill said the hoped-for resolution should “stress the urgency of Iran cooperating fully with the IAEA, which it has yet to do.”
...TEHRAN: Iran needs time to convince hard-liners before making a final decision on signing a protocol requested by the UN nuclear agency allowing more intrusive inspections of its nuclear facilities, a top presidency official said Wednesday...."
…I’m totally full of emptiness. I’m thinking of time, & the years that have been passed. I think of “me” & the one who has grown up & has had hundred kinds of metamorphoses through these years…
Oh, I’m not ready. It’s a strange night & thinking about its length can’t make me calm, I think I have no time to get ready. This frustration is just coming after me & doesn’t leave me even in a night that I should think of more important things, like my exact place at the time & what I have achieved through this year…
Anyway, let’s make a resolution… I wish to have my concentration back, my solitude & also a bigger share of my childhood…. I think of leaving, I just wanna leave these days to a different time.
…Happy birthday! What a funny sentence to be heard in a day that reminds you how criminal & empty time is…
…I know a sad little fairy
who lives in an ocean
and ever so softly
plays her heart into a magic flute
a sad little fairy
who dies with one kiss each night
and is reborn with one kiss each dawn.
(Forugh)
Oh, I’m not ready. It’s a strange night & thinking about its length can’t make me calm, I think I have no time to get ready. This frustration is just coming after me & doesn’t leave me even in a night that I should think of more important things, like my exact place at the time & what I have achieved through this year…
Anyway, let’s make a resolution… I wish to have my concentration back, my solitude & also a bigger share of my childhood…. I think of leaving, I just wanna leave these days to a different time.
…Happy birthday! What a funny sentence to be heard in a day that reminds you how criminal & empty time is…
…I know a sad little fairy
who lives in an ocean
and ever so softly
plays her heart into a magic flute
a sad little fairy
who dies with one kiss each night
and is reborn with one kiss each dawn.
(Forugh)
Friday, September 05, 2003
Tuesday, September 02, 2003
Bombings hit U.N. plans to return Iraqis from Iran
"A senior U.N. official said on Sunday plans to repatriate 70,000 to 80,000 Iraqi refugees from Iran by the end of the year had been dashed by the bombing of the U.N. offices in Baghdad and other security fears...."
"A senior U.N. official said on Sunday plans to repatriate 70,000 to 80,000 Iraqi refugees from Iran by the end of the year had been dashed by the bombing of the U.N. offices in Baghdad and other security fears...."
Monday, September 01, 2003
Iran delays Kazemi report
"Hard-line Tehran Prosecutor Saeed Mortazavi — the man many hold responsible for the death of Zahra Kazemi— yesterday failed to deliver a long-anticipated report into her death.
Mortazavi met with Canadian embassy officials for about an hour and a half in Tehran to discuss the death of Kazemi, an Iranian-Canadian photojournalist.
Expressing "profound disappointment," Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham said he will keep pushing for transparency and for the return of Kazemi's remains to Canada as her family has requested...."
"Hard-line Tehran Prosecutor Saeed Mortazavi — the man many hold responsible for the death of Zahra Kazemi— yesterday failed to deliver a long-anticipated report into her death.
Mortazavi met with Canadian embassy officials for about an hour and a half in Tehran to discuss the death of Kazemi, an Iranian-Canadian photojournalist.
Expressing "profound disappointment," Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham said he will keep pushing for transparency and for the return of Kazemi's remains to Canada as her family has requested...."
University!?...far away!
Nojavan: "today, in the way to return home, i saw a large crowd in front of "exams center of azad university" (markaze azmoon) plus some policecars and their forces.
i couldn't overcome my curiosity so i went through the crowd. there were girls crying and boys sounded shocked.
the reason was that their papers of "azad university entrance exam" had been removed from the grading process. i, personally, support the action by the university because these boys n girls had bought the questions before the exam became held. (unfair job... isn't it?)
of great fortune, i had my digicam with me and i decided to take some photos. i was going to press the shot bottun, that someone stopped me and wanted me to follow him to the policecar calmly. they got my digicam and looked at every photo...."
Interesting...actually selling questions before the University test has become a serious problem & each year gets worse. You know, going to university & the years before the test is one of the most important problems of Iranians but I rarely write about it, because that's a kind of problem that until you are don't live in Iran & don't have to have so much difficulties to just continue your education can't understand what I mean. Sometimes, I think that it might be funny for others that this is the worst problem of eighteen years old person in Iran that has just one way & that is going to university in a hard & unfair rivalry…Everything so inequitable & everyone using any kind of trick to survive in this complicated competition.
Nojavan: "today, in the way to return home, i saw a large crowd in front of "exams center of azad university" (markaze azmoon) plus some policecars and their forces.
i couldn't overcome my curiosity so i went through the crowd. there were girls crying and boys sounded shocked.
the reason was that their papers of "azad university entrance exam" had been removed from the grading process. i, personally, support the action by the university because these boys n girls had bought the questions before the exam became held. (unfair job... isn't it?)
of great fortune, i had my digicam with me and i decided to take some photos. i was going to press the shot bottun, that someone stopped me and wanted me to follow him to the policecar calmly. they got my digicam and looked at every photo...."
Interesting...actually selling questions before the University test has become a serious problem & each year gets worse. You know, going to university & the years before the test is one of the most important problems of Iranians but I rarely write about it, because that's a kind of problem that until you are don't live in Iran & don't have to have so much difficulties to just continue your education can't understand what I mean. Sometimes, I think that it might be funny for others that this is the worst problem of eighteen years old person in Iran that has just one way & that is going to university in a hard & unfair rivalry…Everything so inequitable & everyone using any kind of trick to survive in this complicated competition.