Iran & USA Will They Talk?

It seems after all they will:
Boston Globe:
http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2007/05/17/us_iran_talks_on_iraq_to_begin_may_28/
and this one:
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2007/05/15/talking_with_iran_belatedly/
Guardian:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6640266,00.html
BBC:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/6664619.stm

In 2 weeks. In Farsi we say: Insha'allah be kheyr baashad, (God Willing it is for the better)

A New Chapter for HamMihan

It was an afternoon in the spring of 2000. My article was late as usual, and I had to call the office to tell my editor if it would be ready at all. I needed to go to a meeting first, so I phoned the office to say I would drop it off on my way back. Someone who picked up the phone said, “We are closed down.” That was it; not another word was said, and nothing more was needed to be said. That was it. HamMihan was shut down, too. There was no need anymore, no hurry. People in the paper had one last photo taken, shook hands and went home, telling each other that it would be all right.

Sometimes one wonders how one could become attached to a paper or magazine. One writes a few lines, throws out an idea or two, analyzes a situation or reports an event. These are the things that many do in their casual conversations every day. But writing them and publishing them make you own them, make that piece of paper with cheap ink on it part of you. HamMihan and many other papers whose names constitute a chapter of Iran’s history became parts of many young and ambition Iranian journalists’ and analysts’ lives.

Some of the people who went home that day continued to work for other daily papers and magazines that appeared in the last several years. Some added more shut down papers to their records. Some tried to create a distance between themselves and politics. Some continued their studies as graduate students, and some changed careers. They survived, but that part of their existence remained lost and haunted their memories as something they did sometime ago.

Today, HamMihan was published again after 6 years, 11 months and 26 days. A chapter is over, a new chapter has begun.

Wolfowitz & McNamara

McNamara and Wolfowitz both became presidents of the World Bank after playing a prominent role in two conflicts that changed the course of history. This piece offers an insightful comparison of these two very different presidents:
http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_5874927
This sentence summarizes its argument: The Wolfowitz record is a stark contrast.

Guardian also has a note: http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/joseph_stiglitz/2007/05/transparencys_silver_lining.html

An Iranian Artist Won FAME 2007 Award

Saman Moayer an Iranian student of Illinois Institute of Art- Chicago, majoring in media art film animation, has won the best short film animation award from FAME 2007 .

FAME or Fashion And Media Extravaganza festival is The Illinois Institute of Art - Chicago's annual student show featuring the creativity and work of students from all programs of the college.The event includes the college's annual student fashion show featuring the works of Fashion Design students, an animation and film festival featuring the work of Media Arts & Animation, Digital Media Production, Visual Effects & Motion Graphics students, and also incorporates the work of students in the Culinary Arts, Interior Design, Interactive Media Design and Visual Communications programs.

Mr. Moayer’s award includes a scholarship for his further studies. He is the first Iranian student attending Illinois Institute of Art- Chicago. He has started his animation back home in Iran 12 years by working for architectural studios in Tehran as a designer and an instructor.

Opening Iran’s Domestic Market to International Banking

Fars News Agency reports that Iran’s minister of Economic Affairs and Finance announced last week that Iranian government welcomes international banks’ presence in Iranian domestic market. Speaking in a gathering of bank directors he told them that the necessary preparations are completed for international banks to open their branches in Tehran and other Iranian cities. In its latest dispatch Fars News Agency reports that 44 foreign banks have offices in Tehran and most likely they all will be allowed to open branches in Iran to offer consumer level banking services.

This marks a milestone in liberalizing Iran’s economy. For long international banks had been considered as the instruments of international capitalism in Iran by intellectuals and revolutionaries alike. The government absolute control of banking sector had been warranted to protect the country. However Iran’s 2020 vision promises an active private banking sector with dynamic links with global banking community. Reluctant to lose their control of economy neither President Khatami’s reformist administration nor President Ahmadenejad’s radical cabinet was eager to follow this goal vigorously.

It seems it has become a matter of national prestige to expand such ties and to open Iranian domestic market to global banking. Ironically efforts to isolate the country have crowded out those who oppose an open economy in Iran. Currently many parties are motivated to defy these efforts by inviting foreign banks to operate in Iran. If they succeed this will set up the infrastructure of an open economy in Iran by encouraging Iranian policy makers to accept a private banking sector with international ties. And that is ironic.

This note also is avialable on http://freethoughts.org/archives/000837.php#more

New Councils, New Mayors, New Fractions

Last week across Iran new city councils began their tenure. The first item on their agenda was and for some still is electing a mayor. Elected in last December, the majority of city council seats are divided between reformers and moderate conservatives, the groups identified solely by President Ahmadinejad’s agenda became a minority. Although the voters in Tehran, the capital, elected 3 reformers but moderate and traditional conservatives became the majority, while President Ahmadinejad’s party became a third minority in council unable to influence the choice of Mayor by themselves.

Position of mayor of Tehran has been a politically sensitive seat of authority. The mayor’s decision would influence the lives of the millions living in the largest city of Iran. This enables the mayor to seek higher office. Two former mayors actually have become politicians of national significance. Although one, Mr. Karbaschi, ended up in a cell in Evin’s prison and the other, Mr. Ahmadinejad, is the current President of Islamic Republic.

When Mr. Ahmadinejad moved to the President’s office, Mr. Qalibaf, once commander of Police forces and a brigadier of Revolutionary Guards received vote of confidence to become mayor of Tehran. Ironically he had been one of the candidates in presidential election competing with the current president. Needless to say President’s allies would prefer someone else in this seat that served them as a jumping stage.

This made the election of a new mayor vital and put 3 reformer members of the city council in spot light. There were at least 4 individuals nominated who made it to quarter finals for the post: Mr. Qalibaf, Mr. Bayadi, Mr SaidiKia, who is a current member of cabinet, Mr. Shairatimadar and Mr. Khadem. There were two women nominated for the job at the first round who did not receive enough votes. Mr. SaidiKia resigned from competition and Mr. Bayadi and Mr. Shariatmadar did not receive enough votes to stay in the competition. Thus it came down to Mr. Qalibaf and Mr. Khadem.

The final round was a breath taking one since both candidates draw the same support. 7 votes in favor of Mr. Qalibaf and 7 in favor of Mr. Khadem and 1 abstained. After two rounds of voting an unknown member changed position in favor of Mr. Qalibaf. Thus Mr. Qalibaf remained the mayor of Tehran.

This locally significant event rises to national stage in Iran, since it shows reformers are willing to collaborate with the moderate conservatives. Moderate conservatives also realize that reformers are realistically pragmatic and can be relied on. The significance of this event is multiplied when one remembers that this week some members of Osoolgarayaan fraction, which includes President’s supporters in parliament, established a new parliamentary fraction: Independent Osoolgarayaan. Mr. Afrough one of the founders although conservative is considered an outspoken critique of current cabinet.

BBC on Iranians in North America

Comments from Iranians living in Canada and USA about being labeled as "terrorists".
It is insightful.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/6638929.stm