The clerical regime's Ministry of Education yesterday issued a discriminatory directive, announcing that "teachers are not allowed to teach students of opposite sex in language classes. Female teachers are banned from teaching boys older than 10 years of age."

Soheila Sadeq, Chairwoman of NCR's Committee on Education described the directive by Khatami's cabinet as yet another fundamentalist measure enforcing segregation in the field of education. She said this directive will deprive many female teachers from occupational opportunities and at the same time limit educational possibilities for millions of girl students, who already face reactionary restrictions.

Ms. Sadeq added: The decision by the Education Ministry, which is under Khatami and his faction's total control, again demonstrates that the clerical regime's rhetoric about moderation, is nothing but a mirage.
 
 

Mullahs' Press Support Khatami's Cancellation of His Trip to France, Agence France Presse, April 3

TEHRAN - Tehran's press on Saturday lashed out against France following Khatami's postponement of his trip to Paris due to a wrangle over wine.

No country should "expect the Islamic republic to give up and sacrifice its Islamic values for wrong European traditions" the Jomhuri-Eslami said, adding that "France has no intention of promoting bilateral relations on the basis of mutual respect and insists on holding the upper hand."

The Kayhan paper criticized the French authorities' "lack of attention", while another conservative daily, Ressalat, denounced the "arrogant behavior" of Paris.

But pro-Khatami Sobh-e-Emrouz accused conservative opponents in Iran of "using this incident for political purposes."

According to the paper, during the last Tehran Friday prayers unidentified persons distributed pictures which drew attention to several crystal glasses on the dinner table during Khatami's visit to Italy, implying the presence of alcoholic beverages.
 
 

Long Haul Ahead for Iran's Oil Opening, Reuter, March 31

DUBAI - Iran's biggest oil opening to foreign investors in 20 years is caught in a web of price uncertainty, threatened U.S. sanctions and paralysis in decision-making, analysts say.

The investment frenzy unleashed by Iran's largest energy offering since the 1979 Islamic revolution is being tempered by some grim realities.

Potential investors must accept that completion of proposed deals needs the approval of everyone from NIOC engineers to the political establishment, analysts say.

Moreover, cash-strapped Iran is working feverishly to process bids at a time when some international oil companies chasing Iranian ventures are busy swallowing each other.

The tardy state of negotiations was highlighted recently when Britain's Premier Oil said a last minute hitch over contract terms had jeopardized its involvement in a proposed $200 million development of Iran's Balal field.

Further evidence of a slowdown comes from the calendar.

Sanctions remain an issue. Iran is resisting U.S. attempts to isolate it through the 1996 Iran-Libya Sanctions Act, which threatens reprisals against foreign firms that invest more than $20 million a year in the country's energy sector.

"There is resistance from some companies which are dragging their feet because of concerns over their assets in the United States," said Takin. "And they also have financial analysts looking over their shoulders (at a time of low oil prices)."
 
 

US Upset Over French, Canadian Oil Deal With Iran, Reuters, April 5

WASHINGTON - The U.S. government on Monday said it was disappointed over a $300 million oil development deal Iran signed with French and Canadian companies, and indicated it may punish the firms for violating a U.S. law limiting energy investments in Iran.

"We are deeply disappointed and greatly concerned about this development," U.S. State Department spokesman James Rubin said in reference to a $300 million deal signed over the weekend by French oil firm Elf Aquitaine and Canada's Bow Valley Energy Ltd to develop an offshore Iranian oil field.

"The United States remains strongly opposed (to) investment in Iran's petroleum sector," Rubin told reporters. "We have repeatedly urged the governments of France and Canada at the most senior levels to discourage this investment."

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