BRIEF  ON  IRAN
No. 257
Thursday, September 21, 1995

Representative Office of
The National Council of Resistance of Iran
3421 M Street NW #1032
Washington, DC 20007


U.S. Legislators Pay Tribute to Iran's Grande Dame, From Statement by the
Representative office of NCR - Washington, DC, September 20

        Washington, D.C. -- Last night, a dinner hosted by members of the
U.S. Congress in honor of Marzieh, the Grande Dame of Iranian music and
Advisor on the Arts to Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the Iranian
Resistance, was attended by more than 140 legislators, legislative aides to
representatives and senators, government officials, dignitaries, and
members of the press...
        Thanking the American legislators for their support for the Iranian
Resistance, in her remarks Marzieh called for a new policy, both
comprehensive and more decisive, against the Tehran regime...
        Representative Dan Burton (R-IN), chairman of the International
Relations Committee's Western Hemisphere Sub-committee, said: "I think we
feel of one mind in saying that we have to do our part in working with you
(the Iranian Resistance), and everyone else who believes in freedom,
democracy and human rights, to bring about an end to the tyranny in Iran.
And I believe that day is coming in a not too distant future."
        Rep. Robert Torricelli (D-NJ), a senior member of the International
Relations Committee, said: "What you have seen tonight from the United
States government, are Democrats and Republicans, liberals and
conservatives, from the north and south. They represent over 200 members of
the United States Congress. A statement of policy pledged allegiance to the
National Council of Resistance, an undying Resistance to the tyranny and
oppression of the regime in Tehran. That is as strong a statement by as
broad a coalition of members of this government as I have ever
witnessed."...
        Representative Bob Ney (R-OH) noted in his introduction of Marzieh:
"I can think of few instances of an artist of such achievement, such a Mrs.
Marzieh, who in fact has really risked everything... in order to bring the
cries of her people around the world." He added: "I could not agree more,
that we have to do more. We must listen to the cries of Iran's men and
women. I am proud to have been among those members of Congress who have
co-sponsored letters... in support of the National Council of Resistance of
Iran."
        At the close of the evening, Marzieh performed two songs, which
were warmly received by the audience. Marzieh is scheduled to give a
concert in Hollywood, California, on September 30.


Iran Harasses Diplomat, Reuters, September 20

        A Norwegian diplomat in Tehran denied on Wednesday a report in an
Iranian magazine that his embassy was under investigation for drug dealings
in Iran.
        Charge d'Affaires Einar Tallaksen laughed off as "groundless" the
story in the hardline weekly Kayhan Havai quoting an unnamed police
official as saying "the Norwegian embassy in Tehran has...become a base for
the transport of drugs."...
        Tehran-Oslo ties have deteriorated over Iran's refusal to withdraw
a death edict against the British author Salman Rushdie and after Iranian
complaints over "anti-Islamic" stands by Norway...


Iran to Start Amphibious War Games in Gulf, Reuters, September 20

        Iranian naval forces are to start amphibious military exercises at
the mouth of the Gulf on Friday, Iran's official news agency IRNA said on
Wednesday.
        Naval commando units will be among navy and Revolutionary Guards
forces taking part in the four-day war games in the Strait of Hormuz and on
nearby Hengam island, it said...
        "Special programs" will be carried out by Iranian forces on Abu
Musa island which Iran shares with United Arab Emirates (UAE) member
Sharjah, IRNA said without giving details....
        Iran on Wednesday rejected as "ballyhoo" a call by its Gulf
neighbors to refer the territorial dispute over the three islands to the
International Court of Justice.


Mullahs Call the Hijaking U.S. - Israeli Conspiracy, Reuters, September 20

        Iran accused Israel on Wednesday of backing terrorism...
        Israeli Education Minister Amnon Rubinstein had earlier said Israel
would question the passengers and crew about airman Ron Arad...
        Israel believes Arad was seized by Lebanese militants who later
handed him over to Iran, but Iranian officials deny knowledge of his
whereabouts...
        Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Akbar Nateq-Nouri denounced Israel's
interrogation of the passengers as a conspiracy against the Islamic
Republic...
        "Down with you and with those who support you...," Nateq-Nouri told
the Iranian parliament.
        "That the plane was not returned to Iran just after the surrender
of the hijacker indicates a conspiracy...It is in line with the American
embargo against Iran," he said...