Iran in the World Press 12 Mar 2010 #IranElection

The Middle East’s hair trigger TEL AVIV—ACROSS THE MIDDLE EAST, A FATAListic conventional wisdom is taking hold: war is unavoidable. Some see war as a way of resolving an increasingly deadlocked situation, shaking up a dysfunctional regional order whose main actors are not only at loggerheads, but are also incapable of resolving the legitimacy deficits of their respective regimes. A volley of incendiary remarks between Israel and both Syria and Hezbollah has fueled anxieties about the possibility of war on Israel’s northern border. The level of sensitivity is such that the latest tension was initiated by the Syrians, who misinterpreted as a threat Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak’s call to start peace negotiations precisely in order to prevent “an all-out regional war.”  Philippines Daily Inquirer | 2010-03-12 | Philippines | Page: 15 The first stone ACCENT Film is planning to release a controversial feature, The Stoning of Soraya M, in May. The film is based on a book by French journalist Freidoune Sahebjam, and directed by Cyrus Nowrasteh, an American-born director of Iranian heritage. It tells the story of an incident that happened in Iran in 1986, when a woman was stoned to death after being found guilty of a trumped-up charge of adultery. The film includes an extended depiction of her execution. Its cast includes Shohreh Aghdashloo ( House of Sand and Fog) and James Caviezel ( The Passion of the Christ). The Age | 2010-03-11 | Australia | Page: 22 A loving admirer visits, but Israel keeps stretching the friendship Ordinarily, it pays for politicians to put a break on effusiveness, but not Joe Biden. When the US VicePresident touched down in Jerusalem this week he professed his ‘‘love’’ for Israel, declaring theatrically: “It’s great to be home.” He reaffirmed the Obama administration’s “absolute, total, unvarnished commitment to Israel’s security”. He went on: “Progress occurs in the Middle East when everyone knows there is simply no space between the United States and Israel.” Biden is attempting to breathe life into the faltering peace process – doing so well in the 17th year since the Oslo Accords that the parties can no longer stand the sight of each other. They will meet only in ‘‘proximity’’ talks – each will sit down with the Americans and state their position, which the Americans will then relay to the other side. All were walking on eggshells – except the Israelis, it seems.  The Sydney Morning Herald | 2010-03-12 | Australia | Page: 17 Iran cut backs Royal Dutch Shell and IngersollRand have become the latest corporations to announce they will cease or cut back business in Iran. In Saudi Arabia, the US Defence Secretary, Robert Gates, told the royal family that the US wanted to help build up the kingdom’s military defences against Iran. The Sydney Morning Herald | 2010-03-12 | Australia | Page: 12 Looking for Mr Right ... TEHRAN — There was a time when Iranian women seeking husbands prioritised job status and financial security — not to mention love — at the top of their list of needs. Now potential suitors face the prospect of having to fulfil a daunting new requirement before asking for a bride’s hand — having the right government certificate. Acquiring the appropriate official qualifications before popping the question is part of a plan for prenuptial training courses approved by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad with the aim of reversing declining Iranian marriage rates and rising divorce statistics. From next week, online courses will be offered to young people to prepare them for the pitfalls of married life. The three-month courses, involving weekly tests, will be run by the state-governed national youth organisation, and those who successfully complete them will receive a certificate as proof of their readiness for matrimony.  Today | 2010-03-11 | Singapore | Page: 32 Announcement shows what Israel truly thinks of the peace process Israel shows what it really thinks ISRAEL YESTERDAY apologised for the embarrassment it had caused its most important ally by announcing it would build 1,600 new homes in disputed East Jerusalem at the very moment the US vice-president, Joe Biden, was in the country for a visit. But no apology – nor the implausible explanation that the announcement was a “procedural” matter of which Benjamin Netanyahu had not been informed in advance – can obscure the truth that this episode has revealed. The timing was breathtaking. Only hours earlier, Mr Biden had sought to banish doubts about President Obama’s support for Israel by proclaiming Washington’s “absolute, total, unvarnished” commitment to the country’s security. The previous day, George Mitchell, the administration’s Middle East envoy, reported that Israel and the Palestinians had agreed to “proximity talks” that would restart the Middle East peace process. The housing announcement however shows what Israel truly thinks of that process. The Independent | 2010-03-11 | UK | Page: 27 Taliban claims attack on NATO-Afghan base that killed two troops KHOST, Afghanistan — The Taliban claimed responsibility Wednesday for a suicide bombing inside a U.S.-Afghan base in eastern Afghanistan that killed two NATO servicemembers. A Taliban operative wearing an Afghan police uniform got onto the base Tuesday night and blew himself up next to a group of soldiers warming their hands beside a fire, Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said. U.S. troops command most of the eastern area bordering Pakistan, and local officials said they knew only of U.S. soldiers and Afghan border police on Chergotah base. A NATO statement on the attack confirmed that two of its servicemembers died but did not give their nationalities. Khost Provincial Police Chief Yaqoub Khan said all the NATO bases in the area are run by Americans. USA TODAY US Edition | 2010-03-11 | USA | Page: 7 Three Americans held in Iran call home The families of three Americans detained in Iran for nearly eight months said their loved ones have been allowed to call home for the first time. The families said in a statement that they received the calls Tuesday and that the three detainees reported being well. Shane Bauer, 27, Sarah Shourd, 31, and Josh Fattal, 27, were hiking in Iraq’s northern Kurdistan region in July when they accidentally crossed the border into Iran, the families said. Bauer’s mother, Cindy Hickey of Pine City, Minn., said he sounded strong. “The first thing he said was: ‘Mom, this is Shane. I love you,’ ” Hickey said. She said the conversation lasted about a minute. Iran says the three are spies. U.S. officials have called for their release. Speaking to reporters in Washington on Wednesday, State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley called the phone calls a positive development but said the U.S. is still seeking consular access to the three through the Swiss Embassy. USA TODAY US Edition | 2010-03-11 | USA | Page: 6 Gates seeks Saudi help on sanctions against Iran RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates told Saudi leaders Wednesday that the U.S. effort for diplomatic engagement with Iran had come to naught, and he asked for the influential kingdom’s help to win wide backing for tough economic penalties against Iran. The offer of talks with Iran to resolve doubts about the intent of its nuclear program remains on the table, U.S. officials said, but the United States has moved away from making outreach to Iran the primary goal. “We are certainly hopeful that the Saudis will use whatever influence they have, which is considerable, in this region and throughout the world to try to help us in our efforts at the U.N. so that we can get meaningful sanctions enacted against Iran,” Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell said after Gates’ sessions with Saudi King Abdullah and other senior leaders. USA TODAY US Edition | 2010-03-11 | USA | Page: 7 US and Iran trade blame over Taleban KABUL — Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad traded insults with United States Defence Secretary Robert Gates during overlapping visits to Afghanistan yesterday as each blamed the other for increasing Taleban-led violence in the country. Ahmadinejad accused America of creating the terrorists they were now fighting and sponsoring their weapons. He was responding to comments Gates had made about Iran playing a double game by trying to have a good relationship with the Afghan Government while supporting the Taleban. He also spoke out against the presence of Western forces in the country, saying: ‘‘We do not see the presence of foreign military forces in Afghanistan as a solution for peace in Afghanistan.’’ The war of words broke out as both visited the country, with Ahmadinejad speaking from Kabul Palace and Gates from a military training base about 9km away. The New Zealand Herald | 2010-03-12 | New Zealand | Page: 16 Three new installations open at Artspace Friday Three new installations are at Artspace with the opening on Friday, March 12. The series of projects offer “a dark look into the realities of fear, conflict and mystery” and opens from 7 to 10 p.m. It is curated by Iga Installations include Janik. Vocat, born in Regina, is a visual artist living and working in Toronto. He completed his bachelor of fine arts degree at the University of Regina, and his master of fine arts degree at York University. His main focus is printmaking, specifically screen printing, states a press release. The Peterborough Examiner | 2010-03-11 | Canada | Page: 30

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