President-elect congratulates Nowrouz

NCR Secretariat, Mar. 20 - In a radio-television address on the occasion of the new Iranian year, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the Iranian Resistance's President-elect, congratulated the Iranian people on the advent of Nowrouz.

The President-elect recalled the mullahs' dark record, particularly their atrocities during the past year as well as the destruction, devastation and the inconceivable ravaging of country. She said: This Nowrouz we cannot forget these sufferings, but w e must nevertheless overcome them and endeavor to establish peace and democracy in our enchained nation. Mrs. Rajavi called on the Iranian people to celebrate Nowrouz with the will to resist under whatever condition they may be and intensify their resistance against the anti-human mullahs. She stressed that the victory and the grand celebration of the people of Iran are on their way.

NCR President calls for sanctions on mullahs

NCR Secretariat, Mar. 20 - On the threshold of Nowrouz, the new Iranian year, NCR President Massoud Rajavi, called on the world community to impose a comprehensive oil, arms and technological embargo on the mullahs' religious, terrorist dictatorship.

Mr. Rajavi said: We ended another year of unremitting struggle. The Iranian year 1373 became the year of the clerical regime's weakening and instability and one of a triumphant test of popularity of, and our countrymen's widespread support in and out o f Iran for, President for the transitional period and the alternative which she symbolizes.

NCR President added: Last year, all ploys and investments of Khomeini's desperate heirs to impose pressures and restrictions in the international arena on the Resistance failed. It was also confirmed that one cannot describe the clerical regime as "the leading sponsor of terrorism and an international outlaw" and at the same time give it free reins to perpetuate internal repression and external terrorism by purchasing its oil and continuing business deals. Mr. Rajavi stressed: No doubt remains about the overthrow of the mullahs' sinister regime by the National Liberation Army and the taking office of the NCR as the sole democratic and patriotic alternative to the regime. Iran's courageous children within th e NLA are vigilant, ready and waiting in the wings. Iran, the land of the Lion and Sun, this most beautiful nation, will rejoice in freedom and justice and the grand Nowrouz of liberation will arrive.

Protests, strikes

Voice of Mojahed, Mar. 26 - Thousands of workers at Chokaay and Assalem lumber factories in Hashtpar, northern Gilan province, staged a strike. The strike began as 700 workers at Assalem factory protested the non-payment of their wages and new year bon uses. Subsequently, on March 18 and 19, some 3,000 workers at Chokaay lumber factory staged a strike to express support for the strikers at Assalem factory. The authorities' threats have so far failed to end the strike at both factories.

Voice of Mojahed, Mar. 19 - Workers at Harab brick factory in Shahreza, near Isfahan, staged a protest over the non-payment of their bonuses for the new year. The protest last week resulted in clashes between the workers and the regime's agents at the factory.

Voice of Mojahed, Mar. 18 - Minibus drivers in the city of Borazjan, southeastern Iran, staged a work slowdown to protest low fares imposed by the government. The drivers refused to drive government employees to work, causing severe disruption in the s chedules of government and local offices.

Suppression

Tehran radio, Mar. 26 - Some 135 tons of narcotics were discovered in the Iranian year 1373, showing a 50% increase relative to last year. During the first 10 months of last year, 50,000 people were arrested on drug-related charges.

Israeli radio, Mar. 16 - Government agents arrested at least 1,700 people in Tehran. Brigadier General Reza Abolfathi said that on Tuesday morning some 3,000 patrol units roamed the streets to prevent people from holding the traditional Chaharshanbeh S ouri (Feast of Fire) celebrations. Reuters reported that despite the measures, sounds of explosions and fire crackers were heard through out the capital until early morning hours.

Tehran radio, Mar. 15 - Gatherings were held in cities of Kangavar, Islamabad and Javanrood, in the western Kermanshah province. Forces from the anti-riot Ashura battalions of the Guards Corps took part in these meetings which dealt with preparedness o f the force in safeguarding the achievements of the revolution and maintaining security. Several Guards Corps' commanders spoke at the meetings.

Precarious situation

Tehran radio, Mar. 24 - Ahmad Jannati, head of the Council of Guardians, at Tehran's Friday Prayers: "I am in pain... When you have pain, you moan and sigh. We must understand our situation. If one does not realize one's condition and does not ask the doctor for help, illnesses may kill him." "We are at a terribly precarious situation as far as economic and financial matters are concerned. there is a great deal of pressure."

"They talked about terrorism, nuclear weapons and are now talking about chemical weapons. Tomorrow, they will say something else." "We earn our dollars the hard way, yet we were the biggest importer of rice in the world last year."

"Some committed mismanagement, disrupted the currency situation. And no-one asked them why they did so. At last, some people must be held accountable." "Every body must do something to compensate for the past. This cannot be done without financial disc ipline." "How can one go about his business without affecting the society. High prices and inflation are partly due to this lack of discipline. Why should it not be stopped?"

Waste, malnutrition

State television, Mar. 12 - Nearly 7% of children below three years of age in rural areas suffer from lack of protein. In southern parts of Khorassan province, children's stomachs and heads have swollen due to hunger.

State television, Mar. 11 - An official acknowledged that in the past seven years, 450,000 tons of tea have been damaged in tea producing provinces. Every year 35% of food and agricultural products are destroyed due to a lack of proper industry and tec hnology.

Khomeini's son dies

UPI, Mar. 17 - Khomeini's son died in a Tehran hospital Friday on the sixth day after suffering a stroke. Ahmad Khomeini, 50, was declared virtually brain dead But doctors said other parts of his body were still functioning, and there were signs his brain activity could be revived.

FOREIGN

Iran oil deal banned

AP, Mar. 15 - President Clinton formally blocked American development of oil fields claimed by Iran, issuing an executive order Wednesday.

The order was intended to kill a $1 bn. contract between Conoco and Iran to develop a huge offshore oil tract in the Persian Gulf. Conoco said Tuesday it would readily comply with Clinton's order.

AFP, Mar. 15 - Mr. Massoud Rajavi, President of the National Council of Resistance of Iran described President Clinton executive order banning development of oil fields for Iran by American companies as "courageous and necessary." Mr. Rajavi said that the action was imperative "to defend human rights and civilization against the most abominable dictatorship in contemporary world."

Calling on Washington and the U.N. Security Council to impose a "total oil and arms embargo" against the Tehran regime, Mr. Rajavi added that "depriving the Iranian regime from any economic, political and technological assistance will facilitate its ov erthrow by the Resistance."

Helicopter deal condemned

NCR Secretariat, Mar. 20 - News agencies reported that Indonesia has begun negotiations with the religious, terrorist dictatorship ruling Iran over the sale of seven Puma helicopters. The Iranian Resistance strongly condemns this action by Indonesia, which has sacrificed fundamental principles of human rights for petty economic interests. It considers the move contrary to the highest interests of the Iranian people. These helicopters a re only intended for military use by the mullahs' regime, and will be utilized for suppressing the Iranian people and exporting crisis beyond Iran's borders.

A tribute to Naghdi

ANSA, Mar. 16 - On the second anniversary of the slaying in Rome of Mohammad Hussein Naghdi, the NCR represenataivve in Italy, officials from the NCR and Italian dignitaries paid tribute to him at his grave-site at the Tostacho cemetary in Rome. Profes sor Paulo Ungari, President of the Human Rights Commission of the Prime Ministry, an envoy of Rome mayor and several other Italian parliamentarians attended the memorial.

MARZIEH'S TRIUMPHANT RETURN

Iran's nightingale breaks 16-year silence

Reuters, Mar. 26 - Marzieh, one of Iran's most popular traditional singers, broke 16 years of silence when she walked onto a London stage after being banned from performing in Iran since the shah was overthrown in 1979.

The tiny, gray-haired women, known as the Nightingale of Persia, was greeted by explosive applause when she sang at the Royal Albert Hall.

"Marzieh, Marzieh" chanted the 3000-strong audience as the 70-year-old singer smiled and turned slowly in front of musicians, blowing kisses.

"This is a new era for the Iranian people and it is my duty while I have blood in my veins to sing the voice of the Iranian people," she said at the end of Friday's concert.

More than once the audience stamped their feet and clapped to the rhythm of the sometimes fiery, sometimes mournful songs. But Marzieh raised her finger to her lips, bringing silence. Iran's green, white and red flag hung on either side of the stage. Marzieh, whose career spans 50 years, left Iran last year and joined the exiled Iranian opposition in Paris.

About 100 people, including some members of Britain's elite, later attended a reception organized by the National Council of Resistance of Iran-Britain. Marzieh thanked the guests for their support and urged them to continue to help the resistance movement.

"I have sacrificed everything," she said, "I left my daughter, my child, and now I take my rucksack with thousands of songs to convey my message to people." Asked how she had kept her voice so strong and clear after 16 years of silence, she said: "I went into the desert and sang for the river and the birds in the sky because nature understands me better than the regime."

Iranian diva's return to stage a success

AFP, Mar. 25 - After a 15 year absence, Marzieh, the Iranian diva, made a triumphant return on Friday at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall in London.

Wearing a long traditional dress from her country, Marzieh, this tiny but smiling women of 70, captivated the audience of largely Iranian exiles who gave her long ovations at the end of her two-hour plus concert.

Accompanied by the London Festival Orchestra and an Iranian traditional orchestra, Marzieh performed 20 songs which carried serious messages of commitment, liberty and human rights and for Iranian women.

After her success in London, the classical singer who is very famous in Iran, will perform a series of concerts in Europe and the United States.


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