Iranian Press Menu 15 Oct 07

Oct 15, 07:41 AM

Current Headlines: AFTAB-E YAZD (website)

1. Editorial: "Opportunity for all, test for principle-ists." The daily welcomes Khamene'i's recent comments, stating that support for the Ahmadinezhad government does not mean that criticism of it is not allowed. It sees these remarks as a fitting response to those who have increasingly sought to stifle all criticism of the government by saying that the government enjoys Khamene'i's backing. (p 1; 780 words)

2. Unattributed report: "Chairman of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee: I hope Putin's trip to Tehran will resolve long-standing problem with Bushehr." The report has comments by Majlis Deputy Ala'eddin Borujerdi and Hamid Reza Taraqqi of the Islamic Coalition Party on Iran-Russia ties, ahead of Vladimir Putin's visit to Tehran for the Caspian Sea summit. (p 2; 450 words)

3. Unattributed report: "Secretary of the Great Hezbollah Coalition: We see extremism in a part of the United Front of Principle-ism." Hoseyn Kan'ani-Moqaddam explains why the grouping will not join the United Front of Principle-ism, given its stated belief in unity; he says the Hezbollah believes in national unity and there are obstacles to that right now. Unity, he says, has to be achieved around Khamene'i's office, not the president or some personality or party, because Khamene'i represents the entire political system. He cites some of the areas where the Hezbollah disagrees with the United Front of Principle-ism. (p 2; 780 words) PROCESSING

4. Unattributed report: "Member of Majlis minority faction: Ill- planned government decisions have led to higher prices and inflation." In a pre-agenda speech, reformist Majlis Deputy Esma'il Gerami-Moqaddam has criticized the government's economic performance and compared it to the economy under Khatami. People can see from their pockets if they are better off now or under that government, he said, adding that there is nothing political about criticizing the government after two years. He accused the Majlis presidium for its "daily" unqualified support for the Ahmadinezhad government. (p 12; 1,000 words)

5. Unattributed report: "Mohammad Reza Khatami: It is not important to us which reformists enter the Majlis." Mohammad Reza Khatami and Rajab'ali Mazru'i of the Participation Front and Mohammad Ali Abtahi of the Militant Clerics Society give their views on the likely composition and orientation of the next term of the Majlis, and what it should be doing for the country. Mazru'i says the next Majlis will act differently from previous terms, because its conditions will be different and because of the political experience that reformists and conservatives have had over the past years, even if in terms of political labels it remains similar to previous legislatures. (p 12; 900 words)

E'TEMAD (hardcopy)

1. Report by Nilufar Mansurian of the Political Desk: "Reopening of the Caspian file" An analytical report about the upcoming summit of the five Caspian Sea countries. The report looks at the previous meetings of these countries where Iran was offered a 20 per cent share of the Caspian Sea and this was later reduced to 13 per cent. The report argues that US pressure on Caspian Sea countries against Iran had also played a role. It then looks at Putin's trip to Tehran and the nuclear issue including the delayed completion of Bushehr nuclear power plant. (pp 1, 6; 2,500 words)

2. Report by Zohreh Aqayani of the Political Desk: "Putin carrying a message or asking for a favour" The report includes a number of interviews with political activists and academics about Putin's trip to Tehran and analyses this trip with their different views on this issue. (p 6, 2,300 words)

3. Editorial by Ali Zafarzadeh: "The ordered reduction of unemployment rate" The former MP and the secretary general of Iran's Producers Society says that given all the resources available to the government, it would not be far from expectation for this government to have reduced the unemployment rate, but a different result is reached when the many analyses and economic indicators are compared. He also strongly criticizes the number of holidays in Iran and says that one-fourth of the year is already a non-working holiday. (p 2; 900 words)

4. Commentary by Abbas Maleki: "Caspian and its surrounding issues" The author looks at the historical position of the Caspian Sea and how its position has become more significant in recent years. He argues that if Iran realized its historical, natural and human capacities, it could be a more active player in the Caspian region. As for Iran-Russia relations he believes that relations between the two countries have not expanded in a natural way and that the capacities of these relations have not yet been exploited. (p 15; 3,500 words)

5. Report by the Political Desk, "Democrats are not trustworthy" Following Hillary Clinton's proposal to talk to Iran without conditions, the report looks at the reactions from the Iranian parliament covering the views of a number of Iranian MPs in this regard. (p 2; 1,000 words)

E'TEMAD-E MELLI (hard copy)

1. Unattributed editorial in "Rubric" column: "Iran's inalienable rights in the Caspian Sea." The editorial welcomes Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Tehran to attend the Caspian summit and says the government realizes that Iran's rights in the Caspian Sea are just as important as its right to access nuclear technology. It also says that the visit should serve to clarify the Bushehr nuclear power plant issue. (p 1; 570 words) PROCESSING

2. Report by Ra'na Zureh: "Tehran to host Caspian leaders." The item reports that Tehran is scheduled to host the second Caspian Sea summit in Tehran tomorrow and says that other than the Caspian Sea's legal regime, Iran will discuss the nuclear issue and the Bushehr power plant with Russia, and the Kazakh president will discuss the Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan-Iran railway with Iran as well as economic and investment cooperation in the oil sector. (p 3; 600 words)

3. Unattributed report: "National Oil Company to import petrol out of its own pocket." The item reports that the National Iranian Oil Company will import petrol using its own funds as the 2.5bn- dollar approved funds have run out. It also reports remarks by deputy chairman of the Majlis Energy Committee, Naser Sudani. Sudani said the petrol import bill shows that the petrol rationing plan has failed to meet its targets. It also reports Deputy Speaker Bahonar's remarks in support of the bill and goes on to provide official figures on petrol consumption indicating a rise over the past week. (p 5; 1,100 words) PROCESSING

4. Unattributed report: "Central Bank unable to adjust the money and foreign exchange market." The report outlines a statement by the Economic Committee of the Society of Self-Sacrificers of the Islamic Revolution that calls on the Central Bank of Iran to take steps to halt the "untargeted and harmful" depreciation of Iran's national currency. (p 5; 350 words) PROCESSING

FARHANG-E ASHTI (hardcopy)

1. Report by News Desk: "The diplomatic apparatus and securing Iran's rights in the Caspian Sea: Vladimir Putin in Tehran today." Tehran is set to host the Caspian summit tomorrow at which leaders of Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan will discuss the Caspian Sea legal regime. The report reviews the diplomatic efforts so far to determine the legal regime, describes the regime's significance in terms of the sea's energy resources and says Caspian states' bilateral and trilateral agreements jeopardize the talks. (p 3; 1,200 words)

2. Report citing ISNA: "Hezbollah coalition secretary criticizes United Principle-ist Front: Radicals must not be decision-makers." The item reports remarks by Hezbollah Coalition Secretary Hoseyn Kan'ani-Moqaddam. He said principle-ists must unite around Khamene'i, not the president or political parties. He said the fate of the principle-ist coalition for the forthcoming Majlis elections must not be in the hands of "radicals" in the United Principle-ists Front. He also criticized the government saying it does not utilize all available potentials. (p 3; 500 words)

3. Unattributed "Parties" column: "Sixth Majlis not to reappear." Islamic Iran Participation Front senior member Mohammad Reza Khatami said those elected into the next (eighth) term of the Majlis must try to save the country. He also said in the event that the election is not free, the seventh Majlis deputies elected into the next term will continue to fail to fulfil their oath to the constitution and the people. (p 3; 320 words) PROCESSING

HAMSHAHRI (hardcopy)

1. Commentary by Kazem Jalali, the head of the Iran-Russia Parliamentary Friendship Group, in "Viewpoint" column: "Strategic unity"; speaks about the importance of Russia in the international arena as a regional power and also the importance of Vladimir Putin's trip to Tehran, which is the first trip of a Russian president to Iran after the victory of the Islamic Revolution. Jalali argues that Iran's nuclear case and completion of Bushehr's nuclear power plant should be discussed during Putin's trip to Tehran. (p 2; 500 words)

2. Report by the Political Desk: "The head of the Institute of the Caspian Sea Studies: The coastal countries have still not reached an agreement on the Caspian Sea's legal regime"; in an interview with Hamshahri, Abbas Maleki speaks about dividing the Caspian Sea and the problems of the Caspian Sea coastal countries. (p 2; 300 words)

HEMAYAT (hardcopy)

1. Editorial by Seyyed Mohammad Mehdi Musavi: "Leader's extra- political party view of the student community". Writer examines Khamene'i's recent comments concerning the encouragement of the spirit of making political demands among students and the need for expanding the scope of discussion and argument. But the writer says that this does not mean that universities must turn into political playgrounds for "extremist and bankrupt" political groups but rather into a training ground for political elitism. (p1; 650 words) PROCESSING

2. Unattributed report from the "Short news" column: "Nasiri: Lack of a strong will concerning Majlis measures will result in short-term changes". In an interview with ISKA news, the member of the Majlis Social Committee announced that many proposals have been approved by the Majlis but, after resistance from the government, they have been changed. He warned that such behaviour would also result in changes to the Article 44 bill (on privatization policies) which should be avoided. (p 2; 550 words)

3. Unattributed report: "Morteza Tamaddon: Nowzari possesses overall requirements for the office of oil minister". According to Fars News Agency, a member of the Majlis Planning and Budget Committee announced in the Majlis yesterday that Nowzari has the requisite qualifications for the office of oil minister and that no documents proving claims that he is connected with "the oil mafia" have so far been submitted. (p 2; 400 words) PROCESSING

4. Unattributed report from the "Iran" column: "Taraqqi: Cooperation with Russia will increase Iran's security factor". In an interview with Mehr News Agency, Hamid Reza Taraqqi announced that the Russian president's trip is contradictory to America's policy of isolating Iran and interaction with Russia will result in increased regional security for Iran. (p 2; 250 words)

5. Unattributed report from the "International" column: "Members of America's National Sciences Academy in San'ati Sharif University". According to Arya news website, a group of American academics whose names are listed in the report have been invited to meet officials from San'ati Sharif University. (p 2; 350 words)

6. Unattributed report: "America wants to show the IRGC as meddlers in Iraq's affairs." Text of Mottaki the Foreign Minister's interview with an internet website which took place on 2 October, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly concerning the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps and America's claims. (p 2; 1,400 words)

HEZBOLLAH (hardcopy)

1. Unattributed editorial: "Trap or opportunity?"; refers to Vladimir Putin's trip to Tehran and argues that Russia is trying to take advantage of Iran as a lever against the US and that Russia has never been trustworthy in its relations with Iran and that it is necessary for the foreign policy authorities to be careful not to sacrifice the vital interests in the Caspian Sea for the support of Russia in the nuclear case. (p 1; 700 words) PROCESSING

2. Analytical report citing ISNA: "Iran hosts the meeting of the heads of the Caspian Sea coastal countries; Putin in Tehran"; speaks about the meeting of the Caspian Sea coastal countries that is going to be held in Tehran and the two-sided consultations among the coastal countries that have led to closer relations among them. (p 1; 500 words)

3. Report in "interview" column: "In an interview with the political secretary of hezbollah, it was set forth: Hezbollah's readiness to establish national peace and reconciliation"; in an interview with ISNA, Hoseyn Kan'ani-Moqaddam, the political secretary of the Great Coalition of Iran's Hezbollah, said that "national unity" is the main slogan of this coalition and that the coalition has to be formed with the leader as its axis and not the president or any other personality. (p 3; 1,400 words)

IRAN (website)

1. Unattributed report under "Selected News" column: "The need to resist the West" Khamene'i's senior adviser Ali Akbar Velayati says if Iran shows weakness in the face of US and Western pressures, they will become bolder and more impudent, but if they encounter strength and resistance, they will be frustrated and will retreat. (p 2; 200 words) IN-HOUSE PROCESSING

2. Report by Politics Desk: "Bahonar: The council for formulation of fifth development plan has a good make-up" Speaking to parliamentary reporters, Majlis Deputy Speaker Mohammad Reza Bahonar gives his support to the 27-member team charged with formulating the next five-year development plan. He also comments on the forthcoming Caspian Sea states' summit in Tehran, and calls for a legal regime which ensures the rights and interests of all littoral states. He says Iranians do not consider Russia as their strategic enemy. (p 2; 350 words)

3. Unattributed report under "Selected News" column: "Calm in seventh Majlis led to progress" Secretary-General of the Islamic Society of Bazaar and Guilds Ahmad Karimi-Esfahani says the absence of squabbles and arguments in the current term of the Majlis facilitated smooth legislation and improvement in the running of the country's affairs. He says the current Majlis had a successful record in the economic, political and social arenas. (p 3; 250 words)

4. Report by Politics Desk: "Head of Presidential Office's Centre for Strategic Research: Improvement in Iran-Russia relations will affect Middle East developments" Speaking to Fars News Agency on the eve of Putin's visit to Tehran, Alireza Zaker-Esfahani says there are positive prospects for the future of Iran-Russia relations, and the two sides will meet each other's expectations. He says Russia does not accept a secondary and subservient role to America, and seeks a leading role for itself in the international arena. (p 3; 450 words) PROCESSING

5. Report by Politics Desk: "Iran-Russia relations block America's unilateralism" The report contains highlights of Iran newspaper's interviews with four members of Majlis National Security Committee. The committee's rapporteur, Kazem Jalali, speaks of the worsening relations between America and Russia, due to Moscow's opposition to US international "unilateralism". Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh points to the West's failure to force Russia to agree to harsh measures against Iran's nuclear programmes. He says the most important topic for talks with Putin will be the Caspian legal regime. Mohammad Nabi Rudaki paints a positive picture of Tehran- Moscow ties, which can block the expansion of US influence in the Middle East region. Reza Tala'i-Nik says Putin's visit is an exceptional opportunity for consolidating Tehran-Moscow relations. (p 5; 1,200 words)

JAVAN (hardcopy)

1. Editorial by the managing editor: "Moderation as a tactic." The editorial accuses reformist groups of extremism and of using the moderation slogan as a campaign tactic to win the March 2008 parliamentary vote. (p 1; 350 words) PROCESSING

2. Commentary by World Desk: "Caspian neighbours in Tehran." On tomorrow's Caspian summit set to convene in Tehran, the item says that Russia could use the Kazakhstan-Azerbaijan-Turkmenistan triangle or the nuclear case to pressure Iran. It says observers believe that Putin is coming to Tehran to claim his reward for supporting Iran's position in the nuclear standoff and goes on to quote previous statements by the Russian foreign minister on the issue. (p 1; 580 words)

3. Report by Rahim Ziyadali: "A summit with both legal and political functions." The item reports remarks by Russia and Central Asia expert Dr Ja'far Qamat and Dr Hoseyn Ahmadi, Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy member MP Reza Tala'i-Nik and Majlis Deputy Speaker Mohammad Reza Bahonar on the Caspian summit scheduled to convene tomorrow in Tehran to discuss the Caspian Sea legal regime. Qamat says the Russians intend to tie the Caspian Sea issue to Iran's nuclear case; Dr Ahmadi says Iran must embrace Russia as an ally; MP Tala'i-Nik says Russian President Putin's visit provides an opportunity for Iran to discuss Iran-Russia ties and finalize the nuclear case; MP Bahonar told IRNA that Caspian neighbours must not demand more than what they are entitled to. (p 2; 1,200 words)

4. Report citing Fars News Agency: "Bahonar: We must not avoid competition to achieve unity." First Deputy Speaker Mohammad Reza Bahonar, also leader of the Majlis principle-ist faction, told Fars News Agency yesterday that principle-ists do not need to avoid competition in order to achieve unity for the March 2008 parliamentary elections. He also supported the makeup of the 27- member council to draw up the fifth five-year economic development plan. (p 2; 350 words)

5. Unattributed "Outlook" column: "Importance of Putin's visit to Iran." Political analyst Alireza Davari said Russian President Putin's visit to Tehran to attend the Caspian summit demonstrates Iran's significance in the region and helps bring Iran out of Western-imposed isolation. He said that Russia pursues extortionist policy and tries to maximize its gains in the Caspian summit and that Putin's presence in Iran cannot serve to delay a third sanction resolution on Iran. (p 5; 530 words) PROCESSING

JOMHURI-YE ESLAMI (hardcopy)

1. Unattributed editorial: "A word with Mr Putin"; by referring to the Russian president's trip to Tehran and the fact that this is the first trip of its kind after the Islamic Revolution, the editorial analyses current political and global situation of Moscow and its paradoxical positions towards Washington and the West as well as its collaboration with Saddam during the eight-year war against Iran and explains that America and the West should sooner or later leave the region, but Russia, as the northern neighbour of Iran, needs Iran's alliance and agreement. (pp 1, 2; 1,400 words) PROCESSING

2. Report citing ISNA: "Velayati: If Westerners see our weakness, they will step forwards"; in an interview with ISNA, Dr Velayati, the supreme leader's adviser in international affairs, spoke about the recent threats of the West and America against Iran, and explained that if Muslims show strength and resistance, Westerners will be disappointed, unless they will put us under more pressures. (p 3; 200 words)

3. Report citing Fars News Agency: "Director-general of Oil Products Distilling and Distribution Company: We do not have any problems in providing petrol"; in an interview with Fars, Mohammad Reza Ne'matzadeh, explained that since the budget for petrol imports has finished, the imported petrol is now being supplied by the Oil Company's internal resources and 14 to 15 million litres of petrol are imported daily. (p 15; 200 words)

4. Unattributed report in "News" column: "Deh-Namaki: Sobh [Morning] of justice will arrive"; the item quote the remarks of Mas'ud Deh-Namaki, who said that the first edition of Sobh (morning) publication will be issued in Aban (November) and it is going to be published to follow the objectives of Iran's "justice-seeking society" and has "no factional tendencies". (p 15; 200 words) PROCESSING

KEYHAN (website)

1. Daily editorial by Hoseyn Shari'atmadari: "The autumn of compromise". Shari'atmadari looks at the history of Arab-Israeli peace accords, starting with the Camp David accord of 1978 but says that, with the emergence of the Islamic Revolution, the war between Palestine and Israel was transformed from a national war into a "jihad" which all Muslims consider it their duty to participate in. He says that the 33-day war between Lebanon and Israel was in effect a war between Iran and America which led to a defeat for the Americans and that after that war, the Americans adopted the policy of forming a coalition between other key countries in the West and isolating Iran and this is the prelude to the so-called "autumn peace" conference which is due to be held in Annapolis in November. The writer praises Khamene'i for warning Arab countries to stay away from this peace conference. (p 2; 1,350 words) PROCESSING

2. Unattributed report: "Bahonar: The eighth Majlis will be a principle-ists' Majlis". In an interview with IRNA, the head of the Majlis principle-ist faction expressed the hope that the next term of the Majlis would be a principle-ist one and encouraged healthy political rivalry. He also commented on the formation of a 27- member group to draw up the fifth five-year development plan. (p 2; 350 words)

3. Unattributed report: "Zaker-Esfahani: Promotion of relations between Iran and Russia will eclipse the Middle East changes". In an interview with Fars News Agency, the head of the presidential centre for strategic studies stressed the importance of Putin's visit to Iran and said it would be a good opportunity for both countries to increase positive cooperation. (p 2; 300 words)

4. Unattributed report: "The principle-ist faction will study the suitability of the proposed oil and industries ministers". In an interview with Fars News Agency, Mirtajeddini said that the central council of the principle-ists would convene tomorrow to study the suitability of the proposed oil and industries ministers and would announce its conclusion next week. (p 2; 300 words)

5. Commentary by Dr Mohammad Hoseyn Farhangi: "The bill for Article 44; free of worries". Farhangi explores the history of Article 44 (relating to privatization policies) and the many concerns that Majlis deputies had about its potential dangers but adds that most of its shortcomings have been amended and that, if approved by the Guardian Council, it will have many positive economic results which are listed by the author. (p 14; 900 words)

6. Unattributed report: "Chamran: The ninth government accepts criticism". In an interview with Mehr, Mehdi Chamran, chairman of the Tehran Islamic City Council, has encouraged "constructive criticism" of the government especially by the student body and said that student joy must not be mistaken for political movements. (p 14; 400 words) PROCESSING

7. Unattributed report: "Velayati: Westerners will come forward if they see weakness". In an interview with ISNA, Ali Akbar Velayati said that the less resistance Muslims show to pressure, the bolder "enemies" will become. (p 14; 150 words)

8. Commentary by Alireza Soltanshahi from the "Point" column: "Israeli measures approved by American representatives". Soltanshahi examines the two recent measures approved by Congress concerning the formal division of Iraq and the formal recognition of the Turkish "genocide" of Armenians, and says that superficially no signs of "Zionist" influence can be seen in these two measures but closer scrutiny reveals that the division of Iraq is a veiled threat against Iranian, Turkish and Syrian sovereignty and official recognition of the Armenian "genocide" is a means of applying pressure on Turkey's Islamist government. (p 14; 700 words) PROCESSING

MARDOM SALARI (hardcopy)

1. Editorial by Pezhman Musavi: "Disclosing the property of the officials and fighting corruption". Referring to the report by Majlis Research Centre, Musavi argues that the laws obliging officials to declare their assets has never been put into practice. (p 1; 400 words)

2. Unattributed report: "Head of Politico-Ideological Organization of the army: Our anti-arrogance policies are not based on slogans". Hojjat ol-Eslam Alavi says the army abides by the system's strategy and the tasks defined by the Supreme National Security Council.(p 1; 600 words)

3. Unattributed report: "Secretary of the great coalition of Iran's Hezbollah: The principle-ist extremists will drive us to dogmatism in the eighth Majlis". Hoseyn Kana'ni says the coalition should be formed around Khamene'i not the president.(p 1; 700 words)

4.Unattributed report: "The scientific delegation from the US Science Academy visits Iran". Dr Joseph Taylor and his eight-member delegation have arrived in Tehran.(p 1; 400 words)

5. Commentary: "What are the plans of the diplomacy apparatus for claiming Iran's rights in the Caspian Sea?" Referring to the summit meeting to be convened in Tehran on the Caspian Sea, the commentator says that Iran's foreign policy apparatus should adopt a clear policy to secure Iran's strategic interests.(p 2; 1,000 words)

6. Article by Kian Rad: "From the amalgamation of councils to the establishment of a new council". Rad elaborates on the establishment, by the government, of a supreme council to enjoin the good and prohibit vice. (p 16; 300 words)

7. Unattributed report: "Deputy head of the statistics centre referring to 10 per cent unemployment rate: The government's job to maintain the rate of unemployment is difficult". Zahedian says it is difficult to maintain the rate of unemployment for the next three years (without it worsening).(p 4; 500 words)

8. Unattributed report: "Head of Farmers' House: The macro policies of the agricultural sector should be changed". Dr Isa Kalantari says the most important problem for export of agricultural products is the finished price.(p 4 ; 500 words)

9. Unattributed report: "Iran-US trade exchange amounted to more than 176m dollars". The report by US statistics centre, the trade exchange shows 2.5 per cent increase in the first eight months of current year.(p ; 300 words)

10. Analytical report by Mohammad Hoseyn Ravanbakhsh: "The study of the ninth government confrontation with the Azad Islamic University: The story of a warrior who did not fight but" He reviews the visit to Azad University by Ahmadinezhad and the "resistance" of the university to the "dictates" of the government.(p 7; 1,000 words)

11. Unattributed report: "Majlis weakness in supervising the government". The Political Desk reviews the promises made by the principle-ist faction on "bringing oil money to the people's tables" as well as turning Iran into an "Islamic Japan".(p 8; 1500 words)

12. Unattributed report: "Increasing number of poor people in the country". While the governments of Khatami and Rafsanjani administered the country with nine-dollar oil, the report argues that the people are suffering even more under the government of Ahmadinezhad (despite the high price of oil now).(p 8; 1,200 words)

13. Unattributed reports from "Parties window" column including: "The split becomes open; Value-oriented forces in one front; Defaming the reformists in radio and TV; The presence of Khatami as a candidate".(p 8; 1,000 words)

14. Unattributed report: "The important statements of the Diplomat Sheykh". The writer elaborates on Hasan Rowhani's remarks saying that the task of solving the important national issues of the country cannot be given to one particular group.(p 9; 1,800 words )

15. Unattributed report: "Studying the degree of voters' loyalty". Iranian Students Polling Association, affiliated to University Jihad has released the results of an opinion poll on the performance of the government.(p 9; 1,500 words)

16. Unattributed report: "[Majlis] minority fraction member explains the results of price stabilization policy: Sudden decisions and astronomic prices". The spokesman of the National Trust Party, Majlis Deputy Gerami-Moqaddam wonders which one is better: the petrol at 180 tomans offered by the reformists or the principle- ists' rationing.(p 15; 700 words)

17. Unattributed report: "Majlis deputies referring to Putin's visit to Tehran: Tehran's expectations from Moscow to compensate for mistakes". Tala'inik , Majlis deputy for Bahar and Kabudar-Ahang, has described Putin's visit as a historic opportunity with official and unofficial functions.(p 15; 600 words)

RESALAT (hardcopy)

1. Editorial by the Foreign Policy Desk: "Putin in Tehran"; mentions three important points on Vladimir Putin's trip to Tehran and its relation with the rearrangement of Russia's foreign policy equations. (p 1; 450 words) PROCESSING

2. Report: "Interview with Reza Tala'i-Nik, a member of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee: Tehran's meeting is a historic and decisive opportunity"; in an interview with Resalat, Tala'i-Nik speaks about the meeting of the five coastal countries of the Caspian Sea that is going to be held in Tehran tomorrow, and the presence of Vladimir Putin in this meeting. (p 17; 850 words)

SIYASAT-E RUZ (hardcopy)

1. "Opening Words" editorial: "Iran, the champion of Caspian neighbours' peace." The item refers to tomorrow's Caspian summit scheduled to convene in Tehran and outlines Iran's position on the legal regime. It says the independent positions of Caspian states can frustrate Western plans in the region and Iran's diplomatic apparatus must make an effort to keep its 50-per cent share of the Caspian Sea. (pp 1, 2; 900 words) PROCESSING

2. Report by Political Desk: "Caspian in the ebb and flow of diplomacy." The item reports remarks by Dr Abbas Maleki, the head of the Khazar NGO, to ISNA on the Caspian legal regime where he provides a background of Iran-USSR agreements on the Caspian Sea, describes Iran's position on the new legal regime after the Soviet collapse, and argues against dividing the Caspian Sea saying Iran would lose access to open waters. He also discussed environmental issues threatening Iran's coasts and that Iran's minimum share is 20 per cent. Also, political analyst Dr Sepehr Qazinuri said Iran has lost sensitivity towards the Caspian Sea. The item also outlines a statement by Government Spokesman Elham announcing the 16 October Caspian summit in Tehran. (p 2; 2,000 words)

3. Commentary by Mostafa Delavarpur-Eqdam citing Alef website: "America's political-security strategy after Iran-IAEA agreement." The author highlights the components of America's new strategy against Iran following the 5+1's failure to secure passage of a third resolution against Tehran. It includes "fabricating" a security case against Iran in Iraq, stepped up diplomatic efforts against Iran in America's Middle East policy, focus on "psychological-media campaign", extending sanctions outside the Security Council framework, connecting the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps to Iran's nuclear programme, thwarting regional convergence centred on economic and energy cooperation. (p 3; 1,800 words)

4. Unattributed "Remarks" column: "Judiciary investigation not yet final." Majlis Deputy Speaker Mohammad Reza Bahonar told reporters yesterday that the investigation report on the judiciary is not yet final and rejected rumours that such a report had been presented to the presidium. (p 3; 300 words)

TEHRAN-E EMRUZ (website)

1. Interview in Political Desk by Somayeh Nosrati: "Tehran-e Emruz in an interview with experts: The connotations of Putin's trip to Tehran" Dariush Qanbari, member of the Majlis National Security Committee, commenting on Putin's trip to Tehran on the occasion of the international conference on the Caspian Sea said that he believes Putin will play a mediation role in Iran's nuclear case, considering his recent contacts with Western politicians. (p 3; 750 words)

2. Unattributed report in "One question, one viewpoint" column: "Refrain from defaming each other" Commenting on Khamene'i's remarks regarding healthy competition in elections, Javad Arian, member of the Front Following the Line of the Imam, said to Tehran-e Emruz, that there has been a bad habit in Iran according to which the candidates tried to defame each other instead of presenting their own experience of rendering service. (p 2; 300 words)

3. Unattributed report in Political Desk: "Abbas Maleki: Putin's trip is in the interest of both countries" Abbas Maleki, expert in Caspian Sea affairs, said Vladimir Putin's trip to Iran, which has in fact been postponed for five years, is in the interest of both countries considering the strategic links between Iran and Russia. (p 2; 550 words)

Originally published by Iranian press menu, in Persian 15 Oct 07.

(c) 2007 BBC Monitoring Middle East. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.