Iran News Roundup March 31, 2009

A selection of the latest news stories and editorials published in Iranian news outlets, compiled by Ali Alfoneh, Ahmad Majidyar and Michael Rubin.  To subscribe to this daily newsletter, e-mail [email protected].

(E) = Article in English

• Shafaf News Agency reports activities of Imam Khomeini Relief Organization in the Republic of Azerbaijan. 

•  (E) Iran vows to aid in counterterrorism and anti-drug efforts in Afghanistan ahead of the conference in The Hague.
• (E) Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says there will be no violent solution to the West’s concerns with Iran’s nuclear program.
• (E) Deputy Foreign Minister in Asia and Oceania Affairs Mohammad Mahdi Akhoundzadeh met with his Chinese counterpart to discuss Afghanistan.

• Baztab News provides a short analysis of Ahmadinejad government subsidized loan plans. 
• 100, 200, 500 and 1000 rial notes leave circulation. 

• Two German companies transport equipment for Afghanistan through the Iranian port of Chahbahar. 

•  (E) Venezuela and Iran negotiate an agreement to integrate joint industrial and financial projects.

• (E) Interpol issues arrest warrants for 12 members of Mojahideen al-Khalq Organization (MKO).

• Mohammad Esfahani releases an album with the poems of Khomeini.
• Supreme Prosecutor Ayatollah Dorri Najafabadi demands control of MMS because of the threat it could spread immorality. 
• Shi'a News says certain Shi'a neighborhood in Saudi Arabia is encircled by the security forces. 

• Tehran Mayor Qalibaf explains the relationship between local governance, democracy, and political development. 

•  (E) Tehran’s municipality denied reports that Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf was stepping down from his position as mayor.
• (E) President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s cabinet met for the first session of the new Iranian year.
  • The cabinet discussed way to revise consumption in Iranian society.

• Ten women rights activists released from prison. 

• Nowrouz tourists at Bandar Anzali