TEHRAN - Iran on Saturday described a Western resolution on human rights abuses in the Islamic republic as "illegitimate and politically motivated."

"The Friday resolution of the European Union on Iran's human rights record is another proof that the examination process of the human rights situation in different countries is a political move," foreign ministry spokesman Hamidreza Asefi said in remarks carried by the official IRNA news agency.

The U.N. Commission on Human Rights on Friday passed a Western text which expressed concern at abuses such as executions, stonings and amputations in the Islamic state.

The resolution was presented by 33 countries including members of the European Union and the United States.

The text listed violations such as "the high number of executions, cases of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment" and continued discrimination against religious minorities, especially members of the Bah'i faith.

"The resolution with pre-determined political objectives has failed to reflect the realities of the dynamic society of the Islamic republic of Iran, and as before, is seeking to raise groundless allegations," Asefi said.
 
 

Regime Marks Anniversary of Rescue Mission, Agence France Presse, April 25

TEHRAN - Iran celebrated the 19th anniversary Sunday of Washington's abortive April 1980 attempt to free 49 US embassy staff held hostage at the then US mission here.

An official ceremony was organized in the Tabas desert, 400 kilometers south-east of Tehran, where the US aircraft were supposed to rendezvous for the disastrous rescue attempt.

"A caravan of Islamic militiamen returned to the scene, chanting anti-US slogans," state radio reported.

The Iranian media gave the anniversary extensive coverage this year.
 
 

Cleric Lashes Out at US, Agence France Presse, April 23

TEHRAN - An Iranian cleric lashed out at the United States on Friday, claiming it had not changed its hostile attitude towards Iran.

"America is the same 20 years after (the Islamic Revolution) and has not changed," Ayatollah Hassan Taheri Khorramabadi told the faithful at weekly prayers at Tehran University.

"Iran's enemies, including the US, will not abandon their hostility towards the Islamic state so soon," he said.
 
 

Mullahs Express Their Distaste For a Secular Turkey, Reuters, April 19

TEHRAN - Iran's state radio said on Monday that neighboring Turkey would not achieve political stability after its weekend general elections, in which a nationalist party made unexpectedly strong gains.

Tehran radio said voters had backed nationalist candidates because of the Turkish government's "humiliating policy of rapprochement with Israel."

Iran, which in the past often had diplomatic rows with its secular neighbor, has strongly criticized Turkey for signing a military cooperation pact with Israel.
 
 

Iran Shuts Mobiles of 18,000 Officials to Cut Costs, Reuters, April 21

TEHRAN - Cash-starved Iran is about to shut off the mobile phones of up to 18,000 state officials to save money, Iranian television reported on Wednesday.

It said the measure, stipulated in the country's state budget for the Iranian year which began on March 21, covered 95 percent of mobile phones supplied to senior state officials.

An official of the state telecommunications company told the television the move would save the government up to 1.4 billion rials ($480,000) per month.

The Iranian government said last year it faced a deficit of six trillion rials because of a slump in oil prices.
 
 

Khatami Under Attack >From All Fronts, Agence France Presse, April 21

TEHRAN - A sapling planted by Mohammad Khatami two years ago to mark an afforestation week has been found ripped out by its roots, Neshat daily reported on Wednesday.

The sapling in Tehran's Forest Park was found strewn next to other trees and a plaque marking the event was also damaged.

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