BRIEF ON IRAN, No. 212 Representative Office of The National Council of Resistance of Iran Wednesday, July 19, 1995 3421 M Street NW #1032, Washington, DC 20007 Group: Buenos Aires Bombers Escape Justice, United Press International, July 17 NEW YORK - A U.S. Jewish organization Monday criticized Argentina's justice system for not actively prosecuting those responsible for the bombing one year ago of a Buenos Aires Jewish center that killed nearly 100 people. The blast outside the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association on July 18, 1994, also injured more than 120 people and was the deadliest terrorist act against Jews in the South American nation. In the first major attack against Jews in Argentina, the Israeli Embassy was bombed in March 1992. Twenty- eight people were killed and more than 250 others injured in that attack. "The (Argentine justice) system barely works, and it is hard to describe the degree of distrust and contempt in which Argentines hold their judiciary," the New York- based American Jewish Committee said. "The perpetrators may never be brought to justice," AJC told a news conference at which it released a report, "Atrocity in Buenos Aires: The AMIA Bombing, One Year Later.".... It said that of the suspects picked up after the bombing, only a second-hand car dealer named Carlos Alberto Telleldin remains in custody. Investigators determined the explosives had been planted in a car or van parked outside the Jewish center. The judge handling the case, Juan Jose Galeano, initially suspected an Iranian connection because of alleged attempts by Iranian nationals in Buenos Aires to buy vans before the incident. The judge named four Iranians as accomplices and demanded their extradition from Iran. The Iranian government denied any connection and recalled its ambassador from Buenos Aires. Argentina then recalled its ambassador from Tehran, and the matter has remained stalled ever since.... "The prospect of yet another violent act alarms both the Jewish community and the government," the report said. "Yet sadly, given the government's failure to make headway on the two bombings that have already occurred and the continued weakness of the security intelligence, and police apparatus, this tragic possibility cannot by any means be discounted." Gold Prices Increase in Iran, Israeli Radio, July 17 There have been severe fluctuations in the price of gold and gold coins in Iran in the recent days. Ettela'at daily wrote in its latest issue that in the past two days the price of government-issued gold coin- Bahar -e- Azadi-has unexpectedly increased by 6,500 rials and sold for 370,000 rials. The fluctuations continued afterwards. No reasons were given for the price increase in the daily's report.... Iran and Russia Cooperate, The Wall Street Journal, July 17 Iran and Russia will cooperate in oil exploration, drilling and joint ventures, Tehran radio said. The Iranian government, which last week sidestepped a U.S. economic embargo by signing a $600 million oil deal with France's Total, said it would invite foreign oil companies to bid for work on 10 more major projects. Iran to Give Tajikistan $10 Million Loan, Reuters, July 18 NICOSIA - Iran agreed to give Tajikistan a $10 million loan and expand cooperation with the former Soviet republic during a visit to Tehran by Tajik President Imomali Rakhmonov, Tehran radio said on Tuesday.