Week in Review

DoctorZin provides a review of this past week's [6/26-7/2] major news events regarding Iran.

Iran's new President elect - Ahmadinejad Who Is He?

• Iran Press Service reported that Iran's new President said he would look to "friendship with all nations."
  
• SFGate.com reported that Iran President-elect Mahmoud Ahmadinejad vowed Sunday to pursue a peaceful nuclear program.
• Reuters reported Ahmadinejad has vowed to flush out corruption from the country's oil sector as oil prices rose to $60 a barrel.
• Roozonline reported that Ahmadinejad dismissed questions about human rights and nuclear issues.
  
• The Christian Science Monitor reported Ahmadinejad said, The EU should not talk to us from a proud distance and should come down from the ivory tower.
• Roozonline said, what is interesting to consider is Europe's share of responsibility for Mr. Ahmadinejad's positions.
• Yahoo! News reported Ahmadinejad hailed his election triumph as a new Islamic revolution that could spread throughout the world.
• The Guardian took a look at the humble beginnings of Ahmadinejad.
• Iranian blogger Ramin Parham, Iran-Shahr Blog argued that Ahmadinejad's rise to power is not just an attempt to seize power but is a step meant to prepare for the world revolution.

Ahmadinejad: the first terrorist President?

• Dan Darling, WindsOfChange.net reminds us that Ahmadinejad was a founder of the Qods force in Iran which has long had close ties with Al Qaeda.
• The Associated Press reported that Austrian authorities have classified documents suggesting that Iran's president-elect may have played a key role in the 1989 execution-style slayings of an Iranian Kurdish leader and two associates in Vienna.
• Iranian blogger Ramin Parham, Iran-Shahr Blog argued that Ahmadinejad's rise to power is not just an attempt to seize power but is a step meant to prepare for the world revolution.

Ahmandinejad and The Hostage Photo Controversy:

• The Times UK reported on the controversial photo which claimed links the President-elect of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, with the taking of 60 American hostages during the US embassy siege in Tehran in 1979.
• WebIndia reported that the State Department has concluded that Iran's president-elect is not the student militant seen in a photograph from the 1979 takeover of the U.S. embassy.
• Yahoo News reported that a top former secret agent Saeed Hajjarian said that the person in the photograph which shows a U.S. hostage and an Iranian during the 1979 seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, was a militant-turned dissident who later committed suicide in jail.
• Jawa Report has an update on the Ahmadinejad photos. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Photo Debunked: Hostages Still Adamant Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Was Involved.

Ahmandinejad and the Hostages:

• The Washington Times reported that Americans held in the 1979 seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Iran clearly recall Iranian President-elect Mahmoud Ahmadinejad playing a central role in the takeover, interrogating captives and demanding harsher treatment for the hostages. Retired Army Col. Charles Scott said, As soon as I saw his picture in the paper, I knew that was the bastard.
• The Associated Press reported that President Bush said the allegation by former hostages raises many questions.
• Spiegel reported that Ahmadinejad has been accused of being involved in the 1980 American hostage crisis. Former hostage David Roeder, the former Assistant Air Force Attache said that, he threatened to kidnap his son and cut off his fingers and toes. "You don't forget someone like that.
• The Associated Press reported the White House said it is taking seriously the allegations of some former American hostages.
• The Guardian reported that five former American hostages say Iran's new leader was a captor.

Iran's Presidential Elections, evidence of massive fraud:

• The Financial Times reported that the Bush administration cast doubt on the legitimacy of Iran's newly-elected president.
  
• Iran va Jahan said pro-government reporters claimed that in Tehran around 28% of the eligible voters participated in the second round of the elections.
• The Washington Times said, rarely has more misinformation been written or stated on one subject than is the case with Friday's runoff election in Iran.
• The Times reported that the choice offered to voters in Iran is much more rigidly circumscribed than outsiders tend to realize.
• Radio Free Europe exposed the new paradigm and math used in the recent election.
• BBC Monitoring Service reported that Kahatmi has documents on the unethical moves by many in the election. He is giving them to the Supreme Leader.
• The Times UK reported that Iran's human face is gone. Hardline vote-riggers have spirited it away. A Must Read on the election fraud.
• Adnkronos International reported on the conference organized by the Green Party in the European parliament to examine the results of the recent Iranian presidential elections.
• Roozonline reminds us that eighty percent of the Iranian population does not want what the new president stands for.
• The National Leadership Assembly for Opposition to IRI issued its first declaration: Lack of legitimacy of Islamic Republic of Iran and its elections.
• Amir Taheri said the election signals the beginning of the first major shift in the balance of power within the Khomeinist regime since 1981. A must read.

Iran's Presidential Elections, analysis:

• The Economist said, whether Mr Ahmadinejad won by fair means or foul, Iran looks like turning its back on reform's —and perhaps on the outside world.
  
• Dan Darling of Windsofchange.net provided an analysis of the Iranian election.
• The New York Times asked, will President Bush have any choice but to deal with the new, hard-line Iranian government?
• The Wall Street Journal said the landslide victory of a hard-line loyalist as president completes ultraconservatives' control of all levers of Iran's government and significantly complicates relations with the West.
• Amir Taheri, The Wall Street Journal said Ahmandinejad's "victory" marks a shift of power within the Khomeinist regime from the mullahs to the military.
• MEMRI reported on Iran's ‘Second Islamic Revolution’: Fulfilled by Election of Conservative President.
• The Wall Street Journal said, If there's a silver lining in the Iranian election, it is that the West may at last see the unveiled face of the Iranian regime and begin acting accordingly.
• World Tribune reported on the Iranian election and argues Khamenei throws caution to the Wind. A Must Read.
• Christian Science Monitor reported that analysts no longer speak of an Iranian "reform movement" at all but The Iranian street is like a sleeping elephant.
• Joe Katzman, WindsOfChange.net took a look at some leftist think tanks reaction to the Iranian election and asks, whose side are they on?
• The New York Times reported approximately 70 percent of the electorate who voted for reformists or boycotted the election, sought above all to limit Ayatollah Khamenei's increasing despotism.

The power struggle inside of Iran:

• Radio Free Europe reports that technocrats and reformists are squaring off against conservatives and labor over WTO membership.
• Iran Focus reported that Rafsanjani, warned of serious dangers threatening the theocratic regime.
• Arab News reported that Rafsanjani called on Iranians to unite behind election winner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Iran's military:

• Reuters reported Japan is worried that technology for a long-range cruise missile that can carry nuclear warheads may have been leaked to North Korea from Iran.
• Axis Information and Analysis reports that an advisor close to Ahmadinejad said Iran plans to deliver a preventive missile strike on the territory of Azerbaijan.

Iran's nuclear negotiations:

• Deutsche Presse reported on Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's upcoming meeting with President Bush. Iran was the top item on the agenda.
• Radio Free Europe reported that German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has called for the European Union to put forward new proposals to resolve the dispute over Iran's nuclear program.
• Forbes reported Blair said, It would be a serious mistake if he (Ahmadinejad) thought that we are going to go soft on them, because we are not.
  
• SF Gate reported that German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said he agreed with Bush's message to Iran.
• Jerusalem Post reported that European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana said Monday he saw no immediate reason to change policy on Iran.
• The Peninsula reported that some European leaders are waiting for clear words on human rights and the nuclear issue from Iran's new president.
• Reuters reported that Israel called for a harder international line toward Iran and its nuclear program.
• Reporters without Borders said that three Iranian dailies allowed to reappear, a fourth still suspended.
• Khaleej Times reported that two men accused of spying on Iran’s nuclear facilities will go on trial in August.
• The Times UK reported that Russia and the United States appeared to be on a collision course over Iran.
• The Financial Times reported that EU3 Diplomats said the Iran talks are likely to fail and the focus of efforts by the so-called "EU3" will be to win the ensuing "blame game" should the talks collapse.
• The Telegraph UK argued that the EU3 calculated that through negotiation they could strengthen the hand of moderates within the clerically dominated regime. They have lost their gamble.

The Iranian Economy:

• The Financial Times reported that International oil company executives believe the election of conservative president Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad may prove positive for foreign investment.
• United Press International reported that Iran is expanding its oil, gas and petrochemical projects with American allies.
• IranMania reported that Iran's revenue from oil are set to exceed the forecast by $24 bln.

US Policy and Iran:

• ABC News Online reported that U.S. President George W Bush has announced that he is freezing the assets of North Korean, Iranian and Syrian entities.
• Forbes reported that NASA and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice have asked Congress to ease a law on Iran that would bar the US space agency from paying Russia for space services.
• Middle East Newsline reported that Congress has been examining the prospect of granting U.S. support to an Iranian opposition group, the MEK.
• Voice of America reported Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the people of the Middle East are at a "moment of transformation" which is very fragile, and still has committed enemies, particularly the government of Iran.
• The Financial Times reported the US is threatening severe financial penalties against any foreign companies or individuals that do business with the government agency that operates Iran's civilian nuclear program.

Human Rights/Freedom of the press inside of Iran:

• Payvand reported Iran's Journalists Association protested the temporary closure of newspaper.
• Khaleej Times reported that Iran'’s most prominent jailed dissident, journalist Akbar Ganji has been on a hunger strike for 16 days.
• Roozonline reported that the number of students wanting to enroll in journalism programs and universities offering degrees increased manifold.
• Irish Independent reports that an Iranian court has sentenced a man to have his eyes surgically removed for a crime he committed as a teenager 12 years ago.
• The U.S. Department of State called on Iran to release imprisoned journalist Ganji.
• Roozonline asked, Where is imprisoned Akbar Ganji?
• FreeGanji.blogspot.com published a translation of Ganji's most recent letter since he has returned to prison.
• Yahoo News reported that Iran's most prominent jailed dissident, journalist Akbar Ganji, is still on a hunger strike and his health is deteriorating rapidly.
• Reporters Without Borders welcomed the release of Yosef Azizi Banitrouf and pointed out other journalists are still in prison.

Popular struggle for freedom inside of Iran:

• The Telegraph UK reported after the announcement that Ahmandinejad was the new president, public celebrations and opposition demonstrations were banned by the supreme leader.
• Reuters reported that famous Iranian Student dissident Ahmad Batebi is missing.
• SMCCDI reported that a bassij militiaman was killed near the Capital.
• It was reported that a poem is appearing on the builds and walls throughout Iran, Ahmadinejad is a murderer, his votes are nullified/void.
• SMCCDI reported an increase of repressive measures lead to clash in Iran.

Popular support outside of Iran for the pro-democracy efforts inside of Iran:

• Los Angeles Times reported local Iranian expatriate reactions to the landslide election of a hard-liner as president of Iran.
• Iran Focus said the daily mood in Iran can be seen or heard in graffiti, jokes and comments of the Iranian people.
• Iranian dissidents gathered in Europe today to hold a conference on Iran's election with members of the EU parliament.
• WorldNetDaily.com reported that Dr. Corsi testified today before Israel's Knesset.
• SMCCDI published a Public Letter for the attention of G-8 summit in Scotland.
• Stefania, The American Thinker suggested the Agenda the G8 should have towards Iran.
• The National Leadership Assembly for Opposition to IRI issued its first declaration: Lack of legitimacy of Islamic Republic of Iran and its elections.

Can you believe this?

• Yahoo! News reported that one Iranian lawmaker believes he has uncovered the secret of her enmity -- that she was spurned by an Iranian boyfriend at college.
• RTBF Radio 1 reported a meeting with an Iranian parliamentary delegation at the Belgian Senate planned for today has been cancelled, as was a dinner at the House. The reason is the refusal of the president of the Iranian assembly to shake hands with a woman.
• Reuters reported a lunch meeting between a leading parliamentarian in Belgium and counterparts from Iran has been cancelled because the beer-loving Belgian could not stomach a ban on alcohol.
• BBC Monitoring Service provided a translation of recent Iranian news commentary on why they believe Britain and the U.S. are behind the recent bombings in Iran
• Sean Penn in Iran. Still no report?
  

Iranian bloggers:

• Iranian blogger WishMeLuck, Zaneirani said, Some say because Ahmadinejad is the new Iranian president the Iranians we'll be facing Islamic fascism. Apparently these people have been in a coma for the past three decades!
• Iranian blogger Ramin Parham, Iran-Shar Blog examines the western media's willful ignorance of the Islamic Repulic of Iran.
• Iranian blogger, Mr.Bedhi said, Rumours are everywhere anticipating the upcoming retreat to the atmosphere of early revolution.
• Iranian blogger, Windsteed, Iran Hopes 2005 reported on Ganji's recent letter from prison and asked, I just wonder what has happened to us Iranians. Why don't we do anything for Ganji? What has happened to us?
• Iranian blogger Ramin Parham, Iran-Shahr Blog argued that Ahmadinejad's rise to power is not just an attempt to seize power but is a step meant to prepare for the world revolution.

Must Read reports:

• FrontPageMagazine.com interviewed Kenneth Timmerman on the Iran/Al Qaeda connection.
• The National Review reported the nuclear threat just went from bad to worse. There are three things you need to understand about Iran’s recent sham elections.
• The Washington Times said Ken Timmerman's research concludes that the Islamist regime may be no more than six months away from perfecting the technology for nuclear weapons and could already have enough nuclear material for 20 to 25 bombs.
• The New York Times reported that on the streets of Tehran America is spoken of more like an estranged cousin, maybe an annoying cousin, but nevertheless one with whom people would like to reconcile.
• Eli Lake, NY Sun reported that a new book alleges that the CIA was warned of a plot to attack New York and Washington by a walk-in Iranian defector a month and a half before September 11, 2001, but the potentially valuable informant was turned away.
• Kenneth Timmerman, The Jerusalem Post reported that Iranian defectors told him Iran has assembled 15 nuclear warheads.
• BBC Monitoring Service provides an excerpt of a recent Iranian press story reminding Iranians of the regime's vision of exporting their revolution world wide.

The Experts:

• Ken Timmerman gave us permission to publish here an important Document shows Iran's business ties to Bin Laden.
• Amir Taheri reported that Rafsanjani and his allies have described Ahmadinejad as "a know-nothing," he is neither.
• Amir Taheri, The Wall Street Journal said Ahmandinejad's "victory" marks a shift of power within the Khomeinist regime from the mullahs to the military.
• Amir Taheri said the election signals the beginning of the first major shift in the balance of power within the Khomeinist regime since 1981. A must read.

Photos and cartoons of the week:

• A cartoon: Ahmadinejad : the new president of Iran.
• Photos of demonstrations outside of Iran.
• A cartoon about Iranian bloggers.
• Iran's president Ahmadinejad: Ex-Hostage Taker. The photo that has caused all the controversy.
  
• Many more photos of Ahmandinejad with an American hostage.
• The Iranian newspaper Kayhan announced the winner of the Iranian presidential race One and 1/2 hours before the start time to tally the votes! Photo of the newspaper as proof.
• Another cartoon from Cox and Forkum: Hostage.

And finally, The Quote of the Week:

In a press conference carried live by CNN and the BCC, Ahmadinejad dismissed questions about human rights and nuclear issues by saying:

"these discussions have worn thin and are offensive."