DATE=7/10/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=IRAN JEWS-DEMONSTRATION (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-264272
BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Several hundred people rallied outside United
Nations headquarters today (Monday) in support of the
10 Iranian Jews recently convicted of spying for
Israel. VOA Correspondent Breck Ardery reports from
the United Nations.
TEXT: American ambassador to the United Nations
Richard Holbrooke told the crowd the United States
believes both the process and the outcome of the trial
in Iran were unacceptable.
///HOLBROOKE ACT///
This was a "star chamber" proceeding
(unfair trial) not in accordance with
international norms. International
observers were denied access most of the
time and we hope, we implore, we demand,
that there be a re-examination and re-
opening of this process.
///END ACT///
On July first, 10 Iranian Jews were sentenced to
prison terms ranging from four to 13 years after being
convicted of spying for Israel. Israel has denied the
10 men were spies and much western criticism has
focused on the trial procedure in which the Iranian
judge also acted as prosecutor.
Iran has accused foreign critics of the verdicts of
unacceptable interference in its internal affairs.
Congressman Rick Lazio, the Republican party candidate
for U-S Senate in New York, told the rally the trial
in Iran was a "stain" on international justice.
/// LAZIO ACT ///
We in America take great pride in our
judicial system which includes the right to
a trial by jury, the right to have
representation that we ask for, the right
to a public forum and a jury of our peers.
All those rights were violated by the
Iranian revolutionary court.
/// END ACT ///
Last week, First Lady Hillary Clinton, Mr. Lazio's
opponent in the Senate race, attended a meeting with
President Clinton and Jewish leaders to discuss ways
of convincing Iran to release the 10 Jews.
It is very unlikely the issue will be formally raised
at the United Nations because the administration of
justice is generally regarded as a sovereign matter.
However, U-N Secretary-General Kofi Annan did issue a
statement noting that there is an appeals process in
Iran and expressing hope that the appeals will be
heard "in accordance with the Islamic traditions of
compassion and mercy."(Signed)
NEB/UN/BA/LSF/AMAHL/PW
10-Jul-2000 14:37 PM EDT (10-Jul-2000 1837 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
