DATE=10/17/1999 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT TITLE=IRAN/U-S (L-ONLY) NUMBER=2-255156 BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB DATELINE=CAIRO CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: Iranian leaders say the U-S government must restore trust before the two governments can engage in dialogue. The leaders were responding to remarks by Assistant Secretary of State (for Near East Affairs) Martin Indyk four-days ago when he called for face-to- face talks between the two longtime rivals. Correspondent Scott Bobb reports from our Middle East Bureau in Cairo. TEXT: Politicians, government officials, and the news media have largely dismissed the call for dialogue, saying two-decades of poor relations cannot be reversed by mere words. The conservative "Tehran Times" newspaper said (Sunday) -- although the remarks give the impression that the U-S government is eager for improved ties with Iran, underneath the surface they indicate it is seeking to dictate preconditions. Two parliament members were quoted as saying U-S support for the opposition Mojahedin Khalq contradicts its call for improved relations. They urged Washington to prove it was serious by deporting U-S based opposition leaders. The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said Saturday the U-S government continues to level, what he called -- unfounded charges Iran is building chemical and nuclear weapons. He said relations cannot improve until the United States changes its behavior toward Iran. Mr. Indyk issued the call for face-to-face talks during a speech last Thursday. He said it was time for the two governments to engage each other on the basis of equality and mutual respect. /// REST OPT /// U-S officials say their government placed the Mujahedin Khalq on its list of terrorist organizations because of assassination attempts against Iranian officials. They say they also have placed restrictions on an affiliated lobby group based in the United States, "The National Council of Resistance". Critics say these moves are aimed at placating the Iranian leadership, currently in a power struggle between moderate and conservative religious leaders. Twenty-eight U-S senators have criticized the U-S State Department for designating the Mujahedin Khalq as a terrorist organization. They have urged the Clinton administration to take a tougher stance on Iran, saying despite the election of a moderate president two-years ago, there has been no real evidence of change in Iranian policies. (SIGNED) NEB/SB/ALW/RAE 17-Oct-1999 11:58 AM EDT (17-Oct-1999 1558 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America .
