In a television interview last night, the mullahs' president Mohammad Khatami stressed that the security forces must suppress the regime's opponents. In praising Khamenei, he added that only those who adhere to Islam and the leadership have the right for political activity. Khatami added: "In the Islamic Republic, upholding law means defending the velayat-e faqih."

Thus, Khatami again rendered futile any expectation about the possibility of change in the regime and admitted that what he means by upholding the law is nothing but defending the ruling religious dictatorship. Contrary to his election promises, Khatami made no mention of freedom of parties or the press.

In the first 100 days of Khatami's presidency, suppression and execution at home and export of terrorism have continued and expanded. At least 55 have either been hanged or stoned to death in public. Some 14 dissidents have been assassinated abroad by the mullahs' hit squads.

Khatami: Do not Expect Miracle, Reuter, November 18 

TEHRAN - Iran's President Mohammad Khatami on Tuesday tried to reassure Iranians on price rises and shortages, but asked them not to expect a "miracle"…

Newspapers and residents have complained of serious shortages on a variety of items, including eggs and butter. The daily Resalat said on Tuesday butter was selling at 20,000 rials ($6.67) a kilo, up from 12,000 rials two months ago. The daily minimum wage in Iran is less than 8,500 rials…

Economists say oil production has been hurt by deflationary policies and cutbacks on government expenditures, coupled with tough state controls on foreign exchange and excessive red tape.

Russians Order Expulsion of Iranian for Missile Spying, The New York Time, November 18

MOSCOW - Russia has detained and ordered the expulsion of an Iranian it accuses of trying to buy missile technology, the Russian Foreign Ministry said …

American officials described him as a representative of the Iranian missile program in Tehran. Russian officials said they had proof that he worked for Iran's government…

American concern centers on Iran's efforts to develop a missile called the Shahib 3, which is expected to have the range to strike Israel.

American officials said the Iranians were still testing components of the weapon. There are various estimates about how much time Iran needs to field a test version, ranging from a few months to a year or more.

The system would be especially threatening if it was equipped with chemical weapons or a nuclear warhead. Iran has chemical weapons, and the United States says Tehran has begun a covert program to develop a nuclear bomb.

U.S. Commends Russia for Arresting Iranian, Reuter, November 18 

WASHINGTON - The United States on Tuesday commended Russia for arresting an Iranian alleged to have sought to buy missile technology designs, and said it was yet more proof of Tehran's "objectionable" behavior.

The Russian foreign ministry said on Monday it had ordered the expulsion of the man, caught "red-handed" last week by the Federal Security Service counter-espionage bureau, and lodged a protest with the Iranian ambassador.

"The arrest and subsequent expulsion is another indication that Iran has underway an active official campaign to acquire various technologies," State Department spokesman Lee McClenny said.

"If the international community needed more evidence of Iran's objectionable policies and practices, this is it. This appears to be a flagrant episode of an Iranian diplomat, an official of the Iranian government, flouting the international community's efforts to halt proliferation."

The Russian foreign ministry described the man as an employee of the Iranian embassy in Moscow.

Iran Urges Japan Investment Despite US Sanctions, Reuter, November 18

Iran courted Tokyo's support for investment in oil, gas and other sectors by Japan firms during annual talks aimed at enhancing bilateral relations, a Japanese Foreign Ministry official said on Tuesday.

Iran has been attempting to convince foreign investors to defy unilateral U.S. sanctions under which U.S. President Bill Clinton can impose a host of penalties against companies that invest $20 million or more in Iran each year.

Back to Brief on Iran