WASHINGTON -- A senior Clinton administration official insisted that tacit U.S. approval of a Central Asia natural-gas pipeline to Turkey, which would run through Iran, wasn't meant to send a positive diplomatic signal to Tehran…

The U.S. official was responding to a Washington Post report that suggested Washington's move may have signaled an easing of its harsh stance toward Tehran…

… the U.S. official contended that Mr. Khatami's inauguration isn't a time for signal-sending. Rather, he said, "a period of observation kicks in" during which Washington will look for signs of changes in Iran's behavior.

The U.S. has accused Iran of sponsoring international terrorism, developing weapons of mass destruction and working against Mideast peace efforts. It isn't clear how much leeway Mr. Khatami will have to alter Iran's domestic or foreign policies, assuming that he is inclined to do so.

White House Denies any Change of Iran Policy, Reuter, July 27 

WASHINGTON - The White House said on Sunday that U.S. efforts to isolate fundamentalist Iran remained unchanged despite a decision not to oppose a huge natural gas pipeline that would feed Iranian coffers.

"There's been no change in policy," said Anne Luzzato, a spokeswoman for President Clinton. "There's been no signal regarding our policy to Iran."…

She said the administration would continue to apply that law, which bars U.S. and foreign investments of more than $40 million in the development of Iran's energy sector.

U.S. policy remained committed to denying Iran the resources needed to bankroll what the United States regards as its role in state-sponsored terrorism, the spokeswoman added.

Missile Attack on Dissident Iranian Kurdish Group, Iran Zamin News Agency, July 26 

According to reports, on the night of July 24, forces of the mullahs' regime penetrated deep inside Iraq and launched a missile attack on the barracks of a dissident Iranian Kurdish group (Komeleh), 20 kms from city of Sulaymania in Iraqi Kurdistan. The raid lasted one hour during which the regime launched Katyusha rockets in a vast area, reports say.

According to a statement, Massoud Rajavi, President of the NCR, condemned this act of aggression and drew the attention of the international community to the regime's free rein in the Iraqi Kurdistan.

New Security Stations in Western Tehran, State-controlled daily Ettela'at, July 16 

A special security station was opened in Tehran's township of Rah-Ahan (The Railroad) in the presence of General Ansari, Deputy Commander of the Security Forces.

Commander of the Security Forces of the Greater Tehran, General Abolfat'hi, and commander of Tehran's western district, General Kiomarssi, and a number of political deputies in Tehran's governor's office were also present.

General Ansari said: Our objective is to create complete security in the country by securing our borders. To this end, four new security stations have been opened in western Tehran.

Coddling of Demoralized Forces, State-run Radio, July 19

[The following is excerpts from Friday prayer sermon by mullah Zarandi, Khamenei's representative in western province of Kermanshah.]

"The parliament must do something for the security forces, for their housing, salaries, and equipment. Many of these forces have served for ten, twenty years, but do not have any housing. The officials must alleviate their problems...

"Security is a very important matter specially in the border provinces where the border is extended and the enemies of Islam and the revolution seek to create disorder. The province is also vast. Therefore the forces must become well equipped and provided with more resources. They must be practically encouraged, with housing, with salary. I believe the situation of the security forces is like that of the Judiciary. According to Islam, a judge must always enjoy a reasonable life, otherwise his performance in the job will be at risk..."

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