Iran: Open Thread for News and Analysis (Monday 9 August)

2000 GMT: Picture of the Day. Human rights lawyer Mohammad Mostafaei, now in Norway, and his wife, recently released from prison. [Photo credit: The Times]

1715 GMT: Back to the Bazaar. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty carries a profile from the Tehran Bazaar, which was on strike last month, with critical remarks about the Government. Typical is the comment from "Hossein": "Nobody takes (Ahmadinejad) seriously. You just wonder what kind of logic he and his supporters are using. It is...baseless and aggressive statements that have triggered more and more sanctions against our economy."

The article claims that a combination of Government policies, Revolutionary Guard takeovers, and cheap imports are forcing more and more small businesses.

1610 GMT: Political Prisoner Watch. There are persistent reports that detained journalist Isa Saharkhiz, moved to Rajai Shahr Prison in May, is in a state of “paralysis” and is “unable to move.”

The reports appear to be a heightening of information that Saharkhiz is suffering from paresis --- difficuties in moving parts of the body.

Seven Baha'i leaders have been moved to Rajai Shahr prison after sentence of 20 years each.

Photographer Hamed Saber has been temporarily released from prison on bail after being arrested on 21 June for photos of street protests.

1545 GMT: Drawing a Line? Abbaszadeh Meshkini, the political head of the Ministry of Interior, says the Hojjatieh association has not applied for a permit to become a party and, if it applies, it will not receive one.

Hojjatieh, which places great emphasis on the return of the "hidden" 12th Imam, was banned by Ayatollah Khomeini in the 1980s. There are persistent rumours that President Ahmadinejad and his spiritual mentor, Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi, are followers.

1530 GMT: Another Larijani Challenges the President. Back to our lead story today....

Sadegh Zibakalam, a leading analyst inside Iran, says the quarrel between the head of Iran's judiciary, Sadegh Larijani, and President Ahmadinejad is not about language but is a sign of emerging deep rifts within the establishment.

Zibakalam asserts that --- as reformists and Greens have been imprisoned, have fled, or have been reduced to inactivity --- the battle is between rational, "Majlis- centred" hardliners like Speaker of Parliament Ali Larijani, Deputy Speaker Mohammad Reza Bahonar, Tehran Mayor Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf, Ali Motahari, and Elyas Naderan and radical hardliners in the Ahmadinejad Government.

Zibakalam believes the radicals are imposing themselves at the moment, but in the long run rational hardliners will take over because of the Government's failures over the economy and the crisis in foreign policy.

1420 GMT: The Battles Within --- The President's Man and the Head of the Guardian Council. In what appears to be an attempt to take the heat out of the furour over Ahmadinejad Chief of Staff Esfandiar Rahim-Mashai, Avaz Heydarpour, a member of Parliament's National Security Commission, has said Rahim-Mashai's "Iran v. Islam" comments will probably be discussed in the commission but it is not necessary for the aide to appear before the Majlis.

However, Parliamentary rumbling over Ayatollah Jannati, the head of the Guardian Council, continues after the cleric's accusations of US-Saudi funding ($51 billion) of the opposition for regime change.

Moh Ali Karimi, suggesting the former President Mohammad Khatami file a complaint, said allegations without proof should be punished by the judiciary.

Qodratollah Alikhani of the Majlis National Security Commission claimed the accusations against Khatami are "a show and a pretext" to make people forget economic, financial and political problems due to sanctions. He added that "slander against a respected member of the political elite is unbelievable and a sin", weakening the Iranian system.

Reformist Nasrollah Torabi charged, "Whenever they cannot eliminate a person with logic or votes, they use these methods (of slander)," and said the judiciary must act.

1410 GMT: Today's World Politics Lesson (Censored and Uncensored Versions). A classic speech from First Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi and equally classic treatment in Iranian media....

Rahimi told an audience that English people are "a bunch of retards run by a Mafia, actually ruled by a youngster, who is even more idiot than his forerunner", and Australians are a bunch of shepherds. The dollar and Euro are najes (religiously impure), and before Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's Presidency, "our whole oil industry was English".

But on Fars News' English-language website, the remarks are a lot less fun. There, Rahimi described new international and unilateral sanctions as an opportunity for Iran's further progress and said the government will endeavor to better the situation of the Iranians amid boycotts.

1400 GMT: Sanctions Watch. The list of countries backing pressure on Tehran appears to be slowly expanding. Following a US push to get Asian cooperation, South Korea has submitted a sanctions report to the United Nations.

1345 GMT: More Defiance. A senior aide to President Ahmadinejad, Mojtaba Samareh Hashemi, has said that Iran will not hold talks and negotiations with the US due to Washington's "disrespect and hostile stances".

1030 GMT: Economy Watch. In an indication of Iran’s difficulties with trade, the head of the central bank has demanded a cut in imports.

0945 GMT: Energy Squeeze. Peyke Iran claims that the Ministry of Energy now owes $5 billion to private companies.

0930 GMT: Clerical Challenge. Ayatollah Dastgheib has taken another swipe at the Government and President, alleging that mostakberin (oppressors) rule the country with one party.

Dastgheib also had sharp words for the Supreme Leader: “A sacrosanct person doesn’t send an army against people to maintain his position but is friendly to them.” Dastgheib added that a  bad defence of Islam is the biggest injustice to it.

0845 GMT: The Political Prisoners Challenge. Payvand has re-posted the news that seven prominent reformist politicians, all imprisoned after the June 2009 election, are filing a lawsuit against the Revolutionary Guard for manipulation of the vote.

0830 GMT: Economy Watch. Reformist member of Parliament Mohammad Reza Khabbaz has complained that Iran’s oil income is not making it to people’s tables and now Ahmadinejad is ”even taking away their bread”.

Khabbaz also jabbed that the Government had not yet implemented its subsidy cuts.

0815 GMT: Defiance. Amidst talk of renewed US-Iran discussions, Ali Akbar Velayati, the key foreign policy advisor to the Supreme Leader, declares, “Iran has the iron will to pursue nuclear development.”

0715 GMT: The US and Iran (and a Bigger Battle). We start the day with an analysis from Gary Sick considering American foreign policy and the latest state of play with Tehran.

The bigger battle, however, is the battle within, and there’s a new challenge to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad this morning.

Sadegh Larijani, the head of Iran’s judiciary, has said, “We expect our President to use a decent language and say the truth.” Larijani pointedly added that laws apply to everyone and, in a flexing of muscle for his judicial branch, said that judges are not bound to anyone.

But it’s not the independence of the judiciary that Larijani was asserting. He declared, ”Now they even want to bomb the Majlis (Parliament) and insult its chief.” The “chief” of the Parliament is Sadegh Larijani’s brother, Ali.

Sadegh Larijani concluded, “I told Ahmadinejad he doesn’t say the truth, stop the insults.”

Comments

[Ange-Paris]

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman says the US is the main sponsor of terrorism that tries to cover up this fact by leveling accusations against other countries.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=138030§ionid=351020101" rel="nofollow">http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=138030&sec...

International ping-pong games go on !! game, set, and match for whom ??

[WitteKr]

Sanctions bite: German lawmaker Rainer Stinner, a member of the governing Free Democratic party, told The Associated Press on Monday that the Iranians fear the sanctions will lead to decreased imports and exports. Stinner met Iranian lawmakers and government representatives last week in Teheran.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100809/ap_on_re_eu/iran_nuclear_1" rel="nofollow">http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100809/ap_on_re_eu...

[Ange-Paris]

For Catherine
"Iranian short film to open Venice Film Festival in the presence of Jafar Panahi "; there are some photos :
http://www.payvand.com/news/10/aug/1065.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.payvand.com/news/10/aug/1065.html

[WitteKr]

Unemployment rate hits 14.6% in Iran. The deputy labor minister said that unemployment in Iran had risen to 14.6 percent in spring.
ISNA news agency quoted Hamid Abd ol-Vahab as saying that the unemployment figure last winter was 14.1 percent. Last spring it was 11.1 percent and last summer and fall 11.3 percent. (Mehr News)
http://www.mehrnews.com/en/NewsDetail.aspx?NewsID=1130987" rel="nofollow">http://www.mehrnews.com/en/NewsDetail.aspx?News...

[Ange-Paris]

Iranian small business squeezed by Ahmadinejad's policies :
Even as the latest UN, U.S., and European Union sanctions against Iran create new hardships for the country’s economy, most Iranians outside the government seem to place the blame for the situation on President Mahmud Ahmadinejad’s uncompromising policies. At the same time, officials are trying mightily to ignore or downplay the effects of the sanctions.
http://www.irannewsdigest.com/2010/08/09/iranian-small-business-squeezed-by-ahmadinejads-policies/" rel="nofollow">http://www.irannewsdigest.com/2010/08/09/irania...

[Ange-Paris]

Seven dead in clashes in south-west Iran
http://www.iranfocus.com/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=21354:seven-dead-in-clashes-in-south-west-iran&catid=4:iran-general&Itemid=26" rel="nofollow">http://www.iranfocus.com/en/index.php?option=co...

[Ange-Paris]

Anti-government protest erupts in Tehran
http://www.iranfocus.com/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=21337:anti-government-protest-erupts-in-tehran&catid=32:tehran-grapevine&Itemid=47" rel="nofollow">http://www.iranfocus.com/en/index.php?option=co...

[Arshama]

Sanctions Watch

Richard Radcliffe presents an excellent roundup of Persian news, closely following all disputes and conflicts within the system. Highly recommended: http://www.worldthreats.com/?p=3060" rel="nofollow">http://www.worldthreats.com/?p=3060

[Ange-Paris]

Iranian journalist Akbar Ganji named 'press freedom hero'
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100809/tc_afp/mediarightsiran_20100809184948" rel="nofollow">http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100809/tc_afp/med...

[Ange-Paris]

Journalist relays Iranian request to White House:
Anderson, in a deeply reported piece describing political life a year after the government's crackdown on the Green Movement, notes that an Iranian official asked him to relay an interview request to the White House.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_upshot/20100809/pl_yblog_upshot/journalist-relays-iranian-request-to-white-house;_ylt=AjFf0.iL7cbyh4qz8fNh4WL5SpZ4" rel="nofollow">http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_upshot/20100809/p...

[Ange-Paris]

Nuclear watchdog: Iran has activated equipment to enrich uranium more efficiently
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/08/09/nuclear-watchdog-iran-activated-equipment-enrich-uranium-efficiently/" rel="nofollow">http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/08/09/nuclear...

[Ange-Paris]

Iran calls dollar, euro 'dirty', seeks to rid them from reserves in sanction response :
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/08/09/iran-calls-dollar-euro-dirty-seeks-rid-reserves-sanction-response/" rel="nofollow">http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/08/09/iran-ca...

But not enough dirty to put in their accounts !

[WitteKr]

Is this the letter AN sent - reportedly - to Obama (as Scott mentioned some days ago)? "Journalist relays Iranian request to White House".
http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_upshot/20100809/pl_yblog_upshot/journalist-relays-iranian-request-to-white-house;_ylt=Aj_wNCYFQHQzDCe5Rtxxcyz5SpZ4" rel="nofollow">http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_upshot/20100809/p... "Javanfekr also provided Anderson with a letter to pass along to White House press secretary Robert Gibbs. - "In it," Anderson wrote, "he mentioned my interview with President Ahmadinejad and suggested that the White House should 'positively reciprocate' by granting an interview with Obama, the first with a U.S. President by an Iranian reporter." -
"A White House official confirmed receiving the Iranian request. The official said that the White House will "make decisions on what we think are in the president's best interest and the country's best interest as to how to use his time."

See also my earlier entry...

[Catherine]

Thanks Ange - the photos from the film look very interesting and I certainly hope Panahi ia allowed out of the country this time.

[Arshama]

Catherine,

AN is a putschist, that's all. Turning ambassadors to special deputies is interpreted by experts as his fear of more defectors. Back home sanctions are squeezing, and his IRGC cronies are getting nervous about their assets. Perhaps they will carry out a pusch, but that would mean the end of their beloved Holy Republic. Stalemate or crumbling, as you like it...

Arshama

[Catherine]

OK - the thinking is that a special envoy is less likely to defect than
an ambassador. I'm not sure why that would be true. Proper vetting of
the ambassador (and a strongly worded scary memo about the consequences
for family, friends and casual acquaintances if you skip out on The
Fatherland) is probably just as effective, but I have no argument with
you on the puschist charge :-).

[smisterne]

Wanted to share with you guys how i get free stuff every week, if you need details email me at saveynk@gmail.com. Sorry for the spam (( or whatever you call it.

[harneSessmoro]

Учимся выделывать корпоративные мероприятия.
20-12-2007

[url=http://kinogin.ru]Корпоративный праздник[/url]

Устройство корпоративного праздника, в первую очередь зависит помощью того, который у Вас, следовать мероприятие. Весь корпоративные праздники позволительно разделить для три лагеря - деловые мероприятия, PR и promoting акции и развлекательные корпоративные вечеринки.

Для начала давайте составим общую концепцию организации корпоративного праздника.

Первое - независимо, кто это впоследствии корпоративное мера, устройство к нему должна зарождаться предварительно, лучше впоследствии 1-3 месяца.

Второе - разве у Вас для фирме отнекивание арт-директора (человека, кто профессионально организует Ваш корпоративный победа), обратитесь в компанию, которая работает в сфере организации и проведения корпоративных мероприятий.

Так же, Вы можете начинать другим путём, сколь нередко предпочитают в Европе, чтобы не переплачивать! Знать конвенция с частным администратором. Администратор-консультант проведёт мониторинг всех компаний работающих в сфере организации корпоративных праздников и дополнительных услуг, сделает распечатку цен, даст рекомендации о каждой компании и посоветует, какие услуги для Вашего корпоративного мероприятия просто необходимы, а какими дозволено пренебречь! Кроме, он проверит каждую фирму для надёжность, составит график объёма работ применительно подготовке, проект подготовки и проведения мероприятия и скоординирует вполне дом и компании!

И самое ядро! Почему именно такой подход в Европе! Семейный правитель защитит Вашу компанию через недобросовестных менеджеров и секретарей, которые могут в разрез с интересами Вашей фирмы, за откат (вознаграждение), порекомендовать ту сиречь иную, не завсегда хорошую, компанию. Особенный распорядитель, подберёт Вам лучшие услуги соответственно самым реальным ценам!

Однако присуждать Вам! И, соразмерно опыту могу сказать, что в крупных, российских фирмах - прямодушный служащий и изолированный держится изза своё рабочее фон! Самостоятельно, сколько, способ вознаграждений и откатов там не практикуется!

[url=http://kinogin.ru]И третье - не стоит врозь экономить чтобы профессиональных организаторах! [/url]Организация корпоративных праздников, примерно и любое другое направления бизнеса, будь то банковская деятельный alias круг торговли, требует профессионального подхода и профессионалов в своём деле! Сегодня через общего к частному.

Начнём с деловых мероприятий. К ним относятся: конференции, семинары, презентации, слёты дилеров, церемонии награждения. Годовщина сиречь сутки рождения фирмы можно отнести, как к деловому мероприятию, самопроизвольно организовать это праздник, точно и развлекательную корпоративную вечеринку.

Для организации деловых корпоративных мероприятий, суть выдержать драконовский деловой способ, забота значимость партнёров и друзей компании, и в зависимости путем мероприятия, добавить торжественности, а для церемонии награждения - не бросающейся в глаза, пафосности и праздничного колорита, приемлемого ради этого награждения либо данной премии!

Ради организации развлекательной корпоративной вечеринки - полагается разработать интересный сценарий, объединяющий всех сотрудников и коллег компании. Сценарий, направленный для хороший непринуждённый рекреация и ради поднятие корпоративного духа!

Ради проведения корпоративной вечеринки, надобно пригласить остроумного ведущего или аниматоров с интерактивной конкурсной alias тренинговой программой. В последнее дата умы российских организаторов корпоративных праздников завоевало такое настроение, действительно "Тим билдинг". Это, линия умышленно разработанных чтобы корпоративного отдыха, игр и тренингов. Настоящий известный в России - "веревочный путь" и "достоинство выживания".

Наши сценаристы , для основе западных аналогов разработали ещё довольно тренингов, которые можно отнести к разряду "Тим билдинга". Путь "Русский экстрим", совмещает в себе, индийскую йогу, обряды древних волхвов и куча ещё интересного и в прямом смысле этого болтовня - магического. О курсе "ЗАБАВА", просто беспричинно, не расскажешь, это нуждаться прочувствовать!

Строй корпоративных праздников - одно из главных направлений в работе арт студии "Тропический рай", поэтому лучшие умы студии: сценаристы, режиссёры и декораторы, бьются над новыми разработками в области организации игровых программ чтобы корпоративного праздника.

Новый путь, кто ныне находится в разработке "Перелесок Юрского периода". Вспомните фильм, и Вы поймёте, сколько Вам предстоит, и что Вас ожидает!

[url=http://kinogin.ru]Организация PR и exciting акций, [/url]требует новизны! Воеже этого мы постоянно придумываем новые креативные идеи и рекламные ходы!

Склад корпоративного праздника - само применительно себе занятие безгранично увлекательное! Воеже российские специалисты, ещё мало отстают в области организации корпоративных праздников и мероприятий помощью своих западных коллег, как динамика развития этого бизнеса показывает, кто через 5-7 лет, мы сможем догнать, а путем 10-15 лет, даже затмить наших западных коллег[url=http://kinogin.ru]![/url]

Хочется поверить, который российский рынок организации корпоративных праздников и мероприятий, довольно умилостивлять потребности заказчика и подобный всем требованиям к качеству! А мы постарается постоянно придумывать, кто то новость и необычное, для корпоративных вечеринок и непременно исполнять сварливый английский общество в проведении деловых мероприятий!

И ещё! В организации корпоративного праздника - фокус не утерять корпоративный порядок компании! Наравне считают психологи, корпоративный дух компании, увеличивает производительность труда и делает работу любимой!

Так сколько, вложение денег в организацию и проведение корпоративных праздников - окупится с лихвой!

[Coammablill]

Hello All!

I need some ccj mortgage/loan help. I read about [url=http://www.ccjmortgage.com]ccj mortgage[/url] here but need something more. Please I really need money. This is urgent. Thanks

[Epitlyslita]

Заходите чтобы сайт, и вам останется всего выбрать "соблазн" очки, которые подчеркнут Вашу индивидуальность и стиль. Подбирайте [url=http://www.ochki-solntsezaschitnye.ru/]солнечные очки[/url] единовластно, разве действительно они злостно созданы чтобы Вас в единственном экземпляре, доверьтесь своей интуиции, а выше лабаз стильных солнцезащитных очков поможет Вам в выборе и защите ваших глаз.

[Genemearp]

Hello!

I would like to introduce you new affiliate program on the new!

[url=http://www.store.syntheticsubstance.com]www.store.syntheticsubstance.com/affiliates/[/url]

Check the store itself:

www.store.syntheticsubstance.com

Best regards!

[Uphore]

Yes, I can

OKEJ:
awailia
...yeah!

[INformator]

[url=http://www.tezo.eu/]cadeaux metalliques[/url]

[INformator]

[url=http://www.tezo.eu/]ornements metalliques[/url]

[INformator]

[url=http://www.tezo.eu/]metallo candelieri titolari[/url]