Sunday, January 02, 2005

Ataollah Mohajerani picked for Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance

PolicyWatch 264: "
CULTURE AND ISLAMIC GUIDANCE MINISTER.
Ataollah Mohajerani, vice president for legal and parliamentary affairs, is Khatami's choice for minister of culture and Islamic guidance and a member of the Servants of Construction, which supported Khatami in the recent elections. Mohajerani's nomination has caused controversy because he has called for greater social tolerance and publicly advocated dialogue with the United States. In 1996, he was sentenced by the Special Press Violations Court to a cash fine and a one-year prohibition on engaging in press activity after the hard-line Militant Clergy Association complained about his publication, Bahman.
I do not accept that the Voice and Vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran (VVIR) is entirely at the disposal of one faction [for election propaganda]. However, its overall policy is such that one faction seems to be getting the most benefit. . . The orientation of the VVIR is no secret to anyone. The fact is that the VVIR is an entirely government apparatus which should realize the sensitivity of the situation and act in such a manner that none of the groups should feel that it has been overlooked.
-Kar Va Kargar, May 1, 1997 as cited in FBIS-NES-97-130, May 10, 1997

The extradition of [Hamas Leader Musa] Abu Marzuk to the Zionist regime was in fact a green light given to American Jews by Clinton on the eve of presidential elections in the U.S. . . . Crimes being committed by the Zionist regime indicated that the peace overture of the usurper regime was a pretext to perpetrate more crimes and assaults.
-IRNA, October 21, 1996 as cited in FBIS-NES-96-206, October 24, 1996

The Islamic Republic of Iran shall never withdraw its support for the oppressed Palestinians. . . There [is] a need to step up cooperation, coordination and solidarity amongst the Palestinian fighting forces to counter those [Zionist] designs.
-Tehran Times, August 21, 1996 as cited in FBIS-NES-96-167, August 29, 1996"

posted by JBOC @ 8:43 PM