Mahmoud Salehi is a young and gifted artist whose paintings on Pasargard, Koroush's burial ground, is on exhibit in Tehran.
The link is:
They are quite nice.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Friday, June 15, 2007
A Village in Iran
BBC has published a report about Barkok a village in eastern corner of Southern Khorasan province in east of Iran. These dates about infrastructure development of the village are interesting:
Health Center: 1983
Electricity: 1985
Clean Water System: 1995
Phone lines: 2005
Renovating Village School: 2006 (funds provided by private donations)
For past few years Southern Khorasan is suffering from an unprecedented draught. However these villagers are still striving to survive in the climate change.
Health Center: 1983
Electricity: 1985
Clean Water System: 1995
Phone lines: 2005
Renovating Village School: 2006 (funds provided by private donations)
For past few years Southern Khorasan is suffering from an unprecedented draught. However these villagers are still striving to survive in the climate change.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Getting Politically Polarized
Just a few days ago 57 Iranian economists wrote an open letter to President Ahmadinegad to share their concerns about the disparities between current conditions and announced targets of Iran’s 2020 vision and 4th development plan. A few of signatories in their later interviews emphasized that they are ready to assist government in any way to meet the economic challenges ahead. It seems that these economists also are concerned that some members of administration do not believe in their sincerity.
The debate over economic policies has not been limited to this letter. Iranian media have disclosed the contents of a letter written by Mr. Rahbar former head of Iran’s Management and Planning Organization (MPO) in the time of his resignation from President Ahmadinegad’s cabinet. In this letter Mr. Rahbar had warned against the policies that undermine the role of MPO, over which he disagreed with the President. The list does not end here either.
Recent weeks have witnessed a spirited debate over interest rate in Iran. After months of debate and second guessing President Ahmadinegad lowered interest rate for the banking system in Iran. This surprise move had not been expected by anyone. Just hours before its announcement Minister of Finance and Head of Central Bank were assuring Iranian bankers that interest rate would not change. Several Iranian authorities were fast to point out that lowering interest rate would not be official until it is approved by Country’s High Council for Economic Affairs. The debate is still going on.
Certainly this amount of debate in Iranian media regarding economic affairs exhibits a healthy practice of free exchange of ideas and opinions, something that one does not see often practiced in countries that USA calls allies. However it also increases the possibility of polarizing the economic debate with political affiliations in the country. Thus it might transform matters of policy to matters of principle and individual prestige. This is a dangerous transformation that could compromise country’s economic growth and sustainable development.
The task before Iranian economists is indeed enormous.
The debate over economic policies has not been limited to this letter. Iranian media have disclosed the contents of a letter written by Mr. Rahbar former head of Iran’s Management and Planning Organization (MPO) in the time of his resignation from President Ahmadinegad’s cabinet. In this letter Mr. Rahbar had warned against the policies that undermine the role of MPO, over which he disagreed with the President. The list does not end here either.
Recent weeks have witnessed a spirited debate over interest rate in Iran. After months of debate and second guessing President Ahmadinegad lowered interest rate for the banking system in Iran. This surprise move had not been expected by anyone. Just hours before its announcement Minister of Finance and Head of Central Bank were assuring Iranian bankers that interest rate would not change. Several Iranian authorities were fast to point out that lowering interest rate would not be official until it is approved by Country’s High Council for Economic Affairs. The debate is still going on.
Certainly this amount of debate in Iranian media regarding economic affairs exhibits a healthy practice of free exchange of ideas and opinions, something that one does not see often practiced in countries that USA calls allies. However it also increases the possibility of polarizing the economic debate with political affiliations in the country. Thus it might transform matters of policy to matters of principle and individual prestige. This is a dangerous transformation that could compromise country’s economic growth and sustainable development.
The task before Iranian economists is indeed enormous.
Northwestern Journalism Scholarships for Programmers
Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism announced on May 23rd that computer programmers and Web developers can apply for scholarships to be used toward receiving a master degree in Journalism. These scholarships are made possible by a grant from John S. and Jame L. Knight Foundation. To Read more about these scholarships read here:
http://www.medill.northwestern.edu/medill/inside/news/medill_seeks_computer_programmers_for_scholarships.html
For more information regarding the application process:
http://www.medill.northwestern.edu/medill/admissions/programmers.html
Application Deadline is July 1st.
http://www.medill.northwestern.edu/medill/inside/news/medill_seeks_computer_programmers_for_scholarships.html
For more information regarding the application process:
http://www.medill.northwestern.edu/medill/admissions/programmers.html
Application Deadline is July 1st.
Afghan Minister Dismissed the Claim
It is interesting to notice that Afghan government does not share ambassador Burns’ claims, Look here:
http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070614/NEWS/70614003
I quote:
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Afghanistan's defense minister on Thursday dismissed claims by a top U.S. State Department official that there was "irrefutable evidence" that the Iranian government was providing arms to Taliban rebels.
"Actually, throughout we have had good relations with Iran and we believe that the security and stability of Afghanistan are also in the interests of Iran," Abdul Rahim Wardak told The Associated Press.
There are also more links about Senator Lieberman's comments:
Connecticut Post: Resign Joe
Seattle PI: Warmonger
Christian Science Monitor: Escalation
And some concerned sensible citizens: Do Not Bomb
Register Guard Oregon: Do not Widen War
Middle East Times: NATO Commander Slams…
http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070614/NEWS/70614003
I quote:
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Afghanistan's defense minister on Thursday dismissed claims by a top U.S. State Department official that there was "irrefutable evidence" that the Iranian government was providing arms to Taliban rebels.
"Actually, throughout we have had good relations with Iran and we believe that the security and stability of Afghanistan are also in the interests of Iran," Abdul Rahim Wardak told The Associated Press.
There are also more links about Senator Lieberman's comments:
Connecticut Post: Resign Joe
Seattle PI: Warmonger
Christian Science Monitor: Escalation
And some concerned sensible citizens: Do Not Bomb
Register Guard Oregon: Do not Widen War
Middle East Times: NATO Commander Slams…
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
A Disasterous Explosion
One the most sacred holy shrines of Shiite faith was bombed today in Iraq. Both minarets of Imam Askari mosque in Samarra were destroyed as the result of the explosion. Imam Askari is Shitte 11th Imam and his son is Imam Mahdi, the twelfth Imam who is Shiite Hidden Imam and redeemer. Grand Ayattollah Sistani and several others have called for calm.
The links:
3. ISNA (Iran): http://isna.ir/Main/NewsView.aspx?ID=News-941605&Lang=E
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
New Head of Iran Chamber of Commerce Elected
Today Dr. Nahavandian was elected the head of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Mining (ICCIM). His opponent was the incumbent head of ICCIM, Mr. Khamoushi. 308 representatives of Iran’s private sector voted in this election and Dr. Nahavandian received a majority of 165 votes versus 139 for his opponent.
This has marked more than a simple change in the leadership of an important national economy institution. Mr. Khamoushi served as the head of ICCIM for more than two decades. He has been a long time advocate of private sector expansion in Iran and is affiliated with traditional Bazaar networks.
Dr. Nahavandian served as a deputy minister of commerce during President Khatami administration and currently is a member of board of Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Mining. He has received his doctorate in economics from George Washington University in 1993. His election agenda includes supporting privatization, expanding e-commerce, joining WTO and extending ICCIM presence in global markets.
Dr. Nahavandian comments on TCCIM webpage could be found here in English: http://tccim.ir/english/newsfullstory.aspx?nid=68
This has marked more than a simple change in the leadership of an important national economy institution. Mr. Khamoushi served as the head of ICCIM for more than two decades. He has been a long time advocate of private sector expansion in Iran and is affiliated with traditional Bazaar networks.
Dr. Nahavandian served as a deputy minister of commerce during President Khatami administration and currently is a member of board of Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Mining. He has received his doctorate in economics from George Washington University in 1993. His election agenda includes supporting privatization, expanding e-commerce, joining WTO and extending ICCIM presence in global markets.
Dr. Nahavandian comments on TCCIM webpage could be found here in English: http://tccim.ir/english/newsfullstory.aspx?nid=68
Photo is from http://tccim.ir
Related Links: http://tccim.ir
http://www.iccim.org/english/
http://www.iccim.org/english/
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