DATE=8/7/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=IRAN PARLIAMENT (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-65217
BYLINE=DALE GAVLAK
DATELINE=CAIRO
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Iran's conservatives are turning up the heat
on their embattled reformist rivals, with the arrest
of another journalist and calls to oust several
lawmakers from parliament. Dale Gavlak reports from
Cairo, the reformists say they will try to reach a
compromise with Iran's top leader on press
restrictions.
TEXT: Several hundred members of an Islamic militia
rallied at Tehran University in support of Iran's
supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. They vowed to
defend Ayatollah Khamenei with their lives, a day
after he quashed the hopes of reformist members of
parliament who want to ease a press crackdown imposed
in April. They demanded that any lawmaker who insults
the ayatollah be expelled. They also accused foreign
governments of colluding with the press to spread
false news, create social tension and undermine public
opinion.
The conservative-run state radio broadcast reports
that Iranians across the country have condemned the
behavior of lawmakers who sought to ease press
restrictions. The radio says there are demands that
the reformists be dismissed for insulting the sacred
values of the revolution.
Another conservative stronghold, the Tehran bazaar
merchants, announced they would close down their shops
for several hours Tuesday and demonstrate in front of
parliament in support of Ayatollah Khamenei's decree.
Reformist journalist Ahmad Zeid-Abadi, from the
Hamshahri daily newspaper, became the latest victim of
the press clampdown. Nearly a dozen police searched
his home for articles and books. He was taken to
prison for failing to present himself at the hardline
press court. The judiciary has also ordered the four
month closure of the pro-reform weekly Cheshmeh
Ardebil, in northwestern Iran, on charges of
disturbing public opinion and insulting Islamic
virtues.
President Mohamed Khatami says a free, independent
press is among the most important reforms necessary to
bring about a civil society. But hardline clerics have
used the control they still retain over Iran's
judiciary, especially the press court, to block such
changes.
Ayatollah Khamenei stunned the reform-led parliament
by issuing a direct order banning it from changing the
restrictive press law imposed by its conservative
predecessor. The ayatollah says greater press freedom
could give a foothold to enemies of Iran and
destabilize the Islamic system.
The reformists call the bill's suspension illegal, but
say they acknowledge Ayatollah Khamenei's special
status in Iran's constitution. The lawmakers say they
may propose another bill or an amended version, at
some other time. They say they may also press
Ayatollah Khamenei for a meeting to discuss their
concerns and try to reach a compromise. (Signed)
NEB/DG/FC
07-Aug-2000 16:07 PM EDT (07-Aug-2000 2007 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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