IRANIAN RULERS RECONSIDER U.S. TIES
For the first time, Iran's ruling clergy is said to be
considering establishing diplomatic relations with the United States.
Former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who heads a panel
established by the clergy, outlined ways that Teheran could restore ties
with the United States. Rafsanjani said this could include either a national
referendum or a decision by his Expediency Council.
"One solution is to hold a referendum to see what the society says
provided the parliament approves it and then it is accepted by the supreme
leader," Rafsanjani said in an interview with the Rahbord periodical and
quoted by the official Islamic Republic News Agency. "The other solution is
that the problem is referred to us [at the council] and we discuss it and
announce what is expedient. Of course, the leader should approve this too."
Rafsanjani's reference was to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, regarded as the
supreme leader of Iran. The Rahbord Ñ "strategy" in Farsi Ñ periodical is
published by the Center for Strategic Studies.
Western diplomatic sources said Rafsanjani's remarks could imply a
significant departure from the ruling clergy's opposition to relations with
Washington. For several years, Rafsanjani's successor, Mohammed Khatami,
examined the prospect of restoring ties with Washington, but his policy
was overruled by the clergy.
The Expediency Council is meant to facilitate relations between Iran's
parliament and the Guardian Council, directly operated by the clerics.
Rafsanjani's panel, however, is said to be an extension of the ruling
clerics and has often stymied parliamentary powers.
Over the weekend, Iranian television and Western diplomatic sources
reported several attacks on the Iranian opposition Mujahadeen Khalq. In one
attack in the northern town of Al Saadiyah, 160 kilometers north of Baghdad,
five Mujahadeen combatants were said to have been killed. The group said 18
of its fighters were killed last week in an attack on a Mujahadeen base by
special forces sent by the Iranian Intelligence Ministry.
"To carry out these terrorist attacks and schemes, the Ministry of
Intelligence sent a large number of its henchmen and agents as well as a
number of its Kurdish and Arabic-speaking operatives to Iraq," the
Mujahadeen said in a statement. "At the same time, the clerical regime shell
ed a number of other Mujahadeen bases along the Iran-Iraq border with heavy
artillery."
