From: Subject: New political conflict shaping up in Iran / Conservatives vs. hard-liners over economy Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 19:42:24 +0300 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/related; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_0000_01C3FBD7.7E0C6DB0"; type="multipart/alternative" X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2800.1165 This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0000_01C3FBD7.7E0C6DB0 Content-Type: image/gif Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64 Content-Location: http://www.sfgate.com/templates/types/universal/graphics/sfgatecom_125x80.gif R0lGODlhfQBQALMAAGaZmf///5G2tu3//6zIyHynp8PX19Pi4swzM3CfnwAAAOHr6+3z8/f5+Wib m2eZmSH5BAAAAAAALAAAAAB9AFAAAAT/EMhJq7046827/2AojmRpnmiqrmzrvnAsz3Rt33iu73zv /8CgcEgsGo/IpHLJbDqf0Kh0Sq1ar9isdsvter/gsHhschQIi0VgnT4IAAkDI02vpw2PiZlwUK8b CwcEBSEODgkCCwxvRWYGa5CRAQuHB5KXAQd5AAWPmH8EIYmQC4xEo59rmgmWqap5qKmLIA+ebKZD Cw2SDQy+uwsPrJcNxcYHnH7EuwEMoQAPhwkF0wkJD3nRcZGLhhPa1NQOOZfOAud8eMOQDQYE7/AC CQTEgu8GB24Ae/j5+QQCCggTgCZSO4AOBvLxZ0DephqXDlDDtulBgVZ/3hjaaEYZKGgU/woQ2vZp ATWMlwxMM8BMkgFCNjA1OODOIRyUDQCe21lAQEoNJEsKsJXyosGWAVTaOIBUEoOGN10FaFfAKSNh 1rLCYenuHcqkLJsWe4e0obJFD2V0kmpynauXkkxKmOdP0L5zInsSYBDppQCU5v5GMlkrEoEEFbBR SCtBMTTGGebpSmXAwVdMcAcL5EQUmUU0DHqF7puQaClOgA0Y8Ki0sRlq+3omGHfIjLzXiDds0isn ots1voL7eom0AaOgSQHE+lQZgOk3y5nnfvB3rIO9vQ53OhBadS8DHKjNnrs2kkScg/KKnPb1wOzy a1QSdVYQUvP5Aix+NcZf4tw0eNHTEP9LARUzFCBDBaDbcACJFN15BuEywTyXLPAOa0ZBQoBFrI1D VFLnEGXcNHkFNA51OSUEQB+IJfCUAE+ZkZNFCm5wVDEpWRYhBhny4lKPmfBRloeYkMUNPAvBBMBe piyg1AP5JEKAGQG8URUHUrFx0o4YRIcZcsyNQ09KYE5FSgHSCJCiIdyhWcCLFlJpZY0a4PjJTIQA aZwGndhJDHhqxtUhajnG0RQk7vkUyiPvnMOAG22+uWFVVjbAwT3CBQfVXAv5o2QGnSiSqSACUSfq Uz3VNaUEnQgXpwR/ZfrolH+9MU9o0OlSikUNmeEfKx5A1oGwHzh2wTgYEBtsY9koS8aSs9BGK+20 1FZr7bXYZqvtttx26+234IYr7rjklmvuueimq+667LbrrrRZxpvlAPTWa++9+Oar77789usvvwoE LPDABBds8MEBB4DAwgw37PDDEEcs8cQUVxwxwhhnfLDCFnfs8ccgT6zxyCNzHPLJKKf8MMksI2yy yjDH3HHLNBP8ssw459ywvDz37PPPQAd9SQQAOw== ------=_NextPart_000_0000_01C3FBD7.7E0C6DB0 Content-Type: image/gif Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64 Content-Location: http://www.sfgate.com/templates/types/homepage/graphics/quicksearch.gif R0lGODlhSAAMAID/AMwAAMDAwCH5BAEAAAEALAAAAABIAAwAAAJmjI+pB7APo2qpWUinw1l60wVd +JFItn1SODqou1kwmNLVRb8iTMmzrevVhAuc7sSTIXMp4u7Jwj2Eyt2ltbQ2f8ToswKsfZ1fG7Sq 5V5jYiuj6itrx1uV/Y7ntPP8vv8PGCg4mFAAADs= ------=_NextPart_000_0000_01C3FBD7.7E0C6DB0 Content-Type: image/gif Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64 Content-Location: http://www.sfgate.com/templates/types/gatemainpages/graphics/railwhitediv.gif R0lGODlhaQABAMQAAP///wAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACH5BAAA AAAALAAAAABpAAEAAAUMICCOZGmeaKqubOuGADs= ------=_NextPart_000_0000_01C3FBD7.7E0C6DB0 Content-Type: image/gif Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64 Content-Location: http://www.sfgate.com/templates/types/gatemainpages/graphics/redarrow10x4.gif R0lGODlhCgAEAJECAG4SEmYAAP///wAAACH5BAEAAAIALAAAAAAKAAQAAAIJlA2nFr3sXjoFADs= ------=_NextPart_000_0000_01C3FBD7.7E0C6DB0 Content-Type: image/gif Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64 Content-Location: http://www.sfgate.com/templates/types/gatemainpages/graphics/bluerailbox6x4.gif R0lGODlhBgAEAMQAAAAAAMzh5QAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACH5BAAA AAAALAAAAAAGAAQAAAUHYCCOZGmOIQA7 ------=_NextPart_000_0000_01C3FBD7.7E0C6DB0 Content-Type: image/gif Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64 Content-Location: http://www.sfgate.com/templates/types/universal/graphics/clear.gif R0lGODlhAQABAID/AMDAwAAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== ------=_NextPart_000_0000_01C3FBD7.7E0C6DB0 Content-Type: image/gif Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64 Content-Location: http://www.sfgate.com/templates/brands/chronicle/images/chronicle_logo.gif R0lGODlhlgAVAMQQAM/Pz5+fn6+vrxAQEDAwMHBwcI+Pj1BQUN/f3yAgIGBgYEBAQO/v74CAgL+/ vwAAAP///wAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACH5BAEA ABAALAAAAACWABUAAAX/ICSOZGmeaKqubOu+cCzPdG3feK7vfC87hcXBgKgJFIeGwcEMFB0+nKPR cCCKCEYUJihQGwmCViZIJBULgsJBeAwAuQIcBwjDGW0hZH5jHMYlUCkBIwgCfDFLEEwOAQQETIA2 AQ8EOAIDYgZhAQcKDAoPRTYMBQ+EJaYCKA4Jin0iBg9UDws8AA2SMwgLD3ACtSNADwZSqyUMDcEo bQ+VBaMQY4DTKAC9tAlUDNXSItTfyCOSut7jJw4DByIOyyLKDeYQo9SA9NPk7O7yDp4Jzm4I4TFg YIAWBWICvDEBzBktZwEUCnDEAAEBAw0GFEHIQCGfOgUaLZwnJJcIRwW0/7QqYEJWvEX74HmEQKlB gQFQ2ODcM+DTI24ENIqwSKCKu3SoFPbEuMlgAwIHDpwSIFWBMlslGhyoqSyBE1MJFOAsENaUAaoP FIDd0yvqsAMIpDZYsMpRggUG6hxoSwIAsJftsL57kORBgo5uMgpoo8wgpgdHiKE14KcW3MA0wwx4 AMXvP2cDwFhhAo+By1YPTDwhdlXfAgdzAEyZBcFUlTaL/o0A9lrZvFWysCorwJsEk7SuScBDDXMB AARsOIdi0gsCvNqzHExPTsnryz0OBEypWmrd9eXVT1C1vgyziAUsz2ev7iB989kLdLtfvg9BdwiR CcZeFfS118ts1KUmX/8VygiCWTsEIAKeeFOEdMqAA9aXmgkABKCFMgokB1M8C2q4iH2YHWLifg9Y KOAimxkgBGzKzZeaexoiaGKJDSbnngh1AOScAQGkI0aJ9r2zmTMHmIIKhOwk8MZwGdLXCzcwWfJb gbYglgAwLBnXWIgkcIPejW6oJFUSf2iYTIvshaSMACpVkuU8PDUJRmJ7mDJEmsFpd6EIBRDgxZ5H tQEFAgUpoJRptQAQSl6hiLFIGwL0Mmg6xCwSilfohJJWkUCsEyh9UhXT0T9PmlXGYUoBIMtC0THR BpkKEMEAaSM5QBkuhAAgB4ApjTAAnbv6auk3Ahyzxyr+weGfFrKyU6xyNM1G1Ow4AYS5yLAnMDDR Z85Yiots6fk6zrbCxCOutAFI28Ac4q4ibjGEBhKNOeCEM4K37JSzRQ2koYGvcQsMMPAJHurw3cIQ m8DGOhGTIN48EsZg2h2CVLyFFsB07DE7+9YAXcYj79DRGim37PLLOYQAADs= ------=_NextPart_000_0000_01C3FBD7.7E0C6DB0 Content-Type: image/gif Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64 Content-Location: http://www.sfgate.com/templates/brands/chronicle/images/chronicle_sections.gif R0lGODlhlgANALMIAKAREf////nv77NBQdmgoMBgYNOQkAAAZv///wAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAACH5BAEAAAgALAAAAACWAA0AAATPEMlJq7046827/2AojmRpnih2rNPRSisLy4gL37NdV7Ge t7FfrYcb6o7ClGcgCLxwyN0tKrNZnz4pD0uJaqXUq1e5ATCfXe4UewVbstki+jtvg8XkEABQmOeq L1Q7bXFwNEBHgG9pWnhWh3kZewR+jX9FjlCLjBl2dHJ2mZyRGAAETnKYmpZ3q6OfW19xsqqtr6QV BgGorIJrq4q+lb2cY6FQLmO4HEG1YV6hNERGholVhz7WaI+zy97f4OEkPeTl5ufo6err7O3k4vDx 8uARADs= ------=_NextPart_000_0000_01C3FBD7.7E0C6DB0 Content-Type: image/gif Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64 Content-Location: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/pictures/2004/02/25_t/mn_iran02_t.gif R0lGODlhQABAAPcAAGMLDuTg4d7T1jEiJxkMEvb19vLv8wMCBPn2/enm7e7s8vv6/vTx/hAVJ8fI ywAFEQEMGYqpzGOKsfb6/mOh2F1zh1yl5G2x7HW++mmq4Vqf0leZxdTa3iEoLEhNT+z2+gkVGAQa HgEVGAMREwwZGhIaGt3q6Q4VFBceHQoZEihCMA4pFRQdFjRKNyIwJGFvXh4hHS04Jyo5HzVDKhse F36FOE1PLxYWFPz8+5iUQf780f/94nt0OdjTvTw1GxQSC/PnvCknITMyL2lgRyUiGt3OpDMuI2ZP IKqVa9a8joRiKlI/IfvRicCpgv2+ZEQ6LNekaNx2B71lBslsCOOSNvqoT2lOL++cRNiUUKlUCT8n EW82CMRxKNp/McKMX4U9BWEtBkojBZVHDKxuPbyzrDocB6x3UxsNBDIeEfXt6FArFolzZ7pZJapY MSMWELVaNZNLLJ5XOapgQKJNLZuQjC4RB24tF384IXocAGMVAFgTALJIKKw9Io88JmIbDYwqFZov GJIfDGobDXsQAWcPAogTA1AMAmoRA48XBW0UBmgUB2sXCl0eFUEWEJ4QAWsNAVwLAW0QBGMQBWYP BmQPBmURB2oUCl4RCWUVC2oWDWkWDW4XDmsYDmYYDmUaEm0LAWYNBWcPBmkRCXASCmwRCmcSCm0T DG0UDGkTDGoVDWIUDmkZEmIXEVQWEX0GAJUKAWsGAW4IAmsJAmkLBG4KBWYLBmsOB2gMB2QMB2IO CWYPCmoSDWcUDmsUD18RDWkVEGsWEVwXEogGAG0EAHANCV4MCWgUEGwUEWYUEFoRD2gWEmsXE3UC AFsCAGsBAUwBAWwEA2kHBWMIBmQJB2YKCGUPDg0LC////wAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACwAAAAAQABAAAAI/wBlwYIV a5hBWJ8SwhpGKxYtWxAjRRpFkSIxYqNO0cI4itSpj8sYBUumZwgGDBcyqMxwAQMPPIMKFUJEs+bA gQaHwZKVsGDDhxEnUrRF6mKiU6YSXTTF1NSuYK1ImkxJgYLKli9jzqxJcyFOgzwTfoK28OEsWxIj Jao4CiPTtsRMfTT1C2oyQ0MuUNjAV0PVDFm3ckUkcGdOWY/ExloMMahaUqNMtT1aFPLHXad42cVr QQPfvlYD0xRM+BHPgbFknT3rkJZroqREyUXaVC7bU7tKaWIFtRXelCuvuhykFRFpWchpoY41q7kt 19BJ1XYqd9OmXaY2VfyIandvvCcviP8fj0EJcdI2oTmDBi0WQYjNob8WJXtudexI4Z6yhMoS71a+ maRSVVVpYIESrrgijEwMGhdNNLCoB82DEh3yHEGv2SIKKZVRBFlHcG1ECi+sqJIMgHhlQCBLJ2FA Bxx3xNjHHzTSeEsts0Q44S1ifTLMYhe5xiExG11kJEdOEbOLKiMlc6IhLwCHgQRDeLEGHVhiuYYZ cXTZZTSzOHPQQ4uV+RN0sB1JDIeQ7bJLNdWoooovvgQzEpQoteTBMMI4I6YrwzTjDDPMCKPgKwP5 +WOPn7jWmmtE0iLXkUjFxks1APjCCivVbMoblCpqkMEThewxByCOOGJcTMU5slBOiyH/9sisCUnU aJGk7GKJJYtksgwwvwSrjDLIsKKMMat4wgpJUap4wRODmAHFtF6Y4cW12HqBhUCHCTTrI2mplUgi ko2yCyq9ZNJJJ8AAu8qwqxhjDLzKMgvcs4PEIW0RSSQBxL9FAFzELbMIpJots8wqUSLiLtLrKaPs 6iaymmTCybvDZkxsvXq8EKoF0PYRhxf8JlHEySYX0UQSoUD0UCi1gPLtIePWnIglFCXSayaCCOKw IBgb88uwwCS7bMcfhwyHHGY07bQcY0Q9Blq2uubMJ48cckils5nSn86ZZJJK2NYtY7bZwJh9MSu+ dKyXBfje0cfccMDRBxxz5K13uBLZ/3L1LKGEwmbXue6SyuGpcMJJ2Wf/qvYqbLttVQY+DCJ33XDE kXkcbXTexhy2gAvuLLc8WEslutC3oUe4uWnJ4YsvvknjjWcCeTEdY7CSFoXcPYeXXnreOSiRHPII IaDcSA01uqSuuptubmJJIoornskmnJyddtq/rO0LJC/kSUEjiOQdhxzoy8F5G2+0/0YoooQCSuD0 By5KKaXcj8r+rKPyi9DH6MUmfFU92hljTrkTzwbC8AcvQQ19bUCf+95XP/nNj374K4UiDqEIRXDI EruQ1y8C2CtgCEJx7TqbMSIXPpZIwBCB+N350tc5ObCvfaCYRCh0eMELhiKDQOSQ1/94IbReHKNX vShg2symDLaBLyUXeGEMz1dD4XWufZMg2C3kFzhp4AIXzhNF83YhG6+lghdE7MUpBGGxnnViFato Vy+K1bZmTakZgPidDSN4xQm+bxa0mIUPp0HIW6iOPhza3+v+94tMLMIPrFDWpjBxCUhYEhKGeMYz XmABCmCgApAABN726McJTgKQt/AhLgiJC0S6kj+vExqwNFGKZmjylprMpCF88wwPWCADnwzlKNkn B/e1YQ9sSCYoZhELWwQOFKBYJfPgpzoOlWJ/qRChMSDxjFYMwQpDuJIArkHOcuLAARHQAAZeAIk/ 9GEOEuRDIBj0inq+AhdgIsQkJkH/iUnUYhKVqIT9RKGIcZmCP5n4xS4UYUs6lPOhEH1oBCzggUcA 4p1j2IMjDMWMYbgiFsxIUOlAoU9KSIISO6REQCuhQZolIjbdOSMkGNGDiEYUBzhAgALSwIELeOAQ F53DGzZqKGEI4xWOqKcjJkGIWvzTpJSImUpV2lKGSQcVpcBEMQxBhgUogAEMWIBNy7kAAyRAABEQ QiIuGgc+GMoVIVWQUY9KCEKIIhq4oIReUxpQ/HWQZrnCHyaeYQUTmCAAAUiAAgxQgMbiFKIIYEAA ImCEQVwUDoD4KDMQEtK5CmOfoOhn/VTK0lKwdIzc4YUqnrEGDjjAAQJQQAFwqlMD/ygAsQUgZwEM kIYIBMGydwuEmPy0mM4a9RZ67WctQnGLSpA2gx3sIG4sgYnVroEMDkiDAQyAg4guIAEccC0HEtBb LQyCD22AQyCYYctnNOO9gzpuP1HKRX6uFH+VUMSuDtodTDTDCg5AbAJ0mttrLECs15jANRDgADqQ IQB0QIMf7MAINaihD1zIghjEAIg/DIIZg8orJfIauEngQof31QU16GOJ/WgCE5BQA3YdEF4OfGAC ZLgSlshAByQ0oQnXfcIBSMACGqCABCBQQxamIIUmc2EKWQiELqZBDS8ClBK3qKsuMqhiURzCEqXg j5xYq6VwrkEOcBiDEnhghjXYof8LXZjDHeCAhSE8gAZBgAELQuCGLEQhCkyWwhT+nAsqU0PEI9bn lk3bPFEQQhH44w8vpMGINSwBDFngQhewwAQmQKFfZmBDF6hQhStcoQpJ6AARiKDnEmxhCkyGdaCn kAtqEFKv/MyFJCRRCvs2zxIdDPObSrRVJWj61FVwghOg0AQkmKEKVWADsq/AhDUQwAhEQAERBN3k LDS526uchjSmoVdclIIQkvCFJCqhofwBe1en6IQf5GSIO3Dh2Ke+AhWwYC1oX8EJpv53D26AbRRo AdDc/sK3pVDlcUtjecs7BCHAuCFi2KKgOnOYJjauiWLcoQ2ZHjWyq9AGLGAh4AH/r8IOhICGIKBA DYCWdRa83WRbE1IaD5+GM6KhCxO1ohGNSMYobuam7my8E7zwAxjEkAWRO6EK964CFE4uclPr4AVn cDkapDBzbtNcCuO++bhxkYefo4HVKyCBG5LBn8KFTV2pwIQh/CAGTbNhDnUzNRamjoUuBFwHdDgA qwkw8y9omOvczoXic4GLxTfi7DCIfORR4AZWjAIVpkAGJhyWiV3wwhfJuIMYtnAGApgBC6W+wrRM bnIqAIEMgg/CCL4whS9seAtiSPzic6HiRhCBBpGngfBZjQI0BIMXqFgo5z2v2kbUoQxbgEMbugBt J/QLCtrCAhWS4ABrECEIIghD/xSysIUsfAHTTN79lBthZBS4nwVFFj4KUnADX6ARFWhUKDCM4Qc0 0GENXEAFeAAIm/Zp/NIEZjAGXOAFH3ACNEAEITACfvYFWyAFYfAFUSAFu3cLyZBtKFACIAiCKAB/ J6AFP/ADvIAMyPA/vLAL/+MJVkAHQ9AGV/AGf3AHSuAF/VIESAAGYJAHcXANNHADkQcBW5CBuPcF YQBruVAMiicKjcACJUACVFgC8CeFJHACfncDjaBaKogM67IuqtAJz9AHTNAFUBAHYPBjJoMEhvAF X2AG1yAE1oACNAACbjBo5PcFZbBkTch7jXADLECFVRiCNwABPuAEWOAGjQAAcv8yL2HYCZ4SBkuw BFYACFmABAFTBNeVBj92DS9wAEZWArOXgeYHfbTmhLpQByEwhYRYAu4Hgg9gBVUgBjDyDF64CpEY SZ7QCmfgBmWgBJ/WAz3QBNbQAUPwYNcQeMBHAyFwcN0GBmGQBb5wCcVwC27QiicAAkhGAiFIAiKg Bl9galyAiypoDGHoCcqiDJ1QBsCYAybTA0WwBAfwAAcgBHTgiasWeQ1wA4JWeGUgBpcwkMVwAyJA hSCQkNxYAinAAhCgBl2gbFxgDa3QCynoB36wLp6AdKwQBnVQB1awMipTB9YAARBwAAfwBGvgAfvY AUZoikoIBr0GeidwkFQ4Agn/SYgiQABt4ARU4ARj8AAiEAyoACcAAAC6YAmCYAd2oAVo4AYgiQRI YAV6cAd36I0E8AJ0MAB5FgQh8AOwZn5hUAaqUAl0YpCEqJAKeQBKwARQ9wZ9MAIjgAZ2sAV2cARW oARrVgM54AOP95GASXtqIIJBgAYeIARGEASs9gBHKAWjhwYD6QvVYJApgJA4iWQj8ABY4ARdwAVi sAcGOQJPkAOkWQOmeZo+gAZOiQZo0AjlFwVfoG3aFgRBQHDYBgM7qYdbUAa+UAzFcAl1AAIjMIWk iJPCeQNzsGFcwAZ7oAUjIAIPYAM5cJo8UJ084JRasJrT+GdSAAOK6Z1BgGc+/5BnKPAAYJCBYhAG lxAMjGAHg5mTmKmQIxAGdXdvV0CPmXkANlAD1mmdWuAGTukGboAGGPhnaEACtLmPMGAEiQkDIfAA UjB+YICXebkEI5CF3SiX3Kh2oheAE3kAJ9ABDZCSpmmdNbAEAxqgaBAGr7kFBxACKOCdMIACDJpn MGCeGfgFR7CjR5ACBymcJ1ACwgkCKXACJ0AEPqAFaqAFDYAEPDAEQ/ACayADR3CaOaAEYcCa2cma dXAGZQAGh/gA3giCQcCgrEYCDyAG48ejRACLVGikMECKEJACDUkDJykCVvAESaADO9Cna4CSKSAD MmADPHAEFlYGrOkGKYAG3//0eDfwnHLpAjUaedDpZzvqAxAgf954AihwAimAk3QqBDDwBDegl2Wg BVBaiQ8wAhDwAA9gkiFABIiqpGgwAnGgbGdgDVtKAyNAo4lJfBBwBllgBUtgDSJghTdwA0HaqSlg kiIAAShgBUywBCC5BFqwBD4QBmqAkq4qlyY5AtZwAHWgBdZwAncQCFwwBg3wAATgBj9wAteGbTQw hZlZB0ewBAPwBE8QA/waAy7wrwD7rzYwBjlgBT6wBDagkkOwBEPgAQ7bAj6wrzEgAxFrAzHgA0eg BHj5pDIgBPxqBPq6rzLgAhh7BD5gBSiLskdgAy3QAjMQAy7bsi3LA1jAAyqnYAM4+wIR8AJQWgES UAHfZAUz8AQzgLMzALGXGgIrsAL82rI4i7MtoAIzoARqZgMpm7IsqwKCKrNRe7NjsAQ0UIkvUAER 4AFQOgBCIARPgLOD+i9AYDIrgwRY4gDYRQYeIAMzkLczoAI3q5dHMANXi7Ut0LR527Uv6wFrAAQB 41oOpgNFwGNroK9E4GNHwKc6cLk7oAM+xmN0YANEoLf+OrUauwQzEBAAOw== ------=_NextPart_000_0000_01C3FBD7.7E0C6DB0 Content-Type: image/gif Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64 Content-Location: http://www.sfgate.com/templates/types/universal/graphics/pixel_gray.gif R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAM7LzAAAACwAAAAAAQABAAACAkQBADs= ------=_NextPart_000_0000_01C3FBD7.7E0C6DB0 Content-Type: image/jpeg Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64 Content-Location: http://www.sfgate.com/templates/types/universal/graphics/buy_sf_chronicle_1.jpg /9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAgAAZABkAAD/7AARRHVja3kAAQAEAAAAPAAA/+4ADkFkb2JlAGTAAAAAAf/b AIQABgQEBAUEBgUFBgkGBQYJCwgGBggLDAoKCwoKDBAMDAwMDAwQDA4PEA8ODBMTFBQTExwbGxsc Hx8fHx8fHx8fHwEHBwcNDA0YEBAYGhURFRofHx8fHx8fHx8fHx8fHx8fHx8fHx8fHx8fHx8fHx8f Hx8fHx8fHx8fHx8fHx8fHx8f/8AAEQgAMgBaAwERAAIRAQMRAf/EAIUAAAEFAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAADBAUGBwECCAEBAQEBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwQFEAACAQMDAwMDAwQDAAAAAAABAgMABAUR IRIxEwZBIgdRMhRhIwiBkaEVsUJiEQEBAAIBAgQGAwAAAAAAAAAAARECAxIEMUEyEyFhcaEiBVGR Qv/aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8A9U0ASB1oOjTRjqa100JPfW69WFanHUybTZu0jG7Dar7f80MH8utuZSLi 7BihGo2YdQd+tTp1FWyHzNYQYrN5CztnvmwClr6yjUrPoOpVXK6gDcms3CxDYj5+lyd/YRwYaZrC /QOb4oY1gLMI1EiyMrN+4wRmQFV666Vib624dtu331mbGgYrylrqYwToiSDqBqP+TXv37WdM218K 8/UsKsGGorxWNOagKAJIBI3I6Cgp03lUtxEJYkKgr3Ch20Gmp/tW5tgwYyZu8l58eKsoB4ltdm21 30q+5TBvJkJ5EVmJUD72G+4OnqTpvpWc1UVkbK4eN57mN7m0mlWP8aNnaY212AlxyVtj25OMiaHY VA1x73UUzLLBHA14dJHZgCby3JiZl394uI1Dqy+uutVKa564zuLyFheq1sMFcz9rLILP8iYlwUWM lNGZHLbnqNDQR8Hxtj8BBdWdtcXl/JcarZLkH1gtkUcBbxGLjIF7XFTqdwNRvU6ZPJ097fwysWEu 767uJYOxL+dj/Z+Sq/tuF01STTZJE5D9GBDKTqdPb2vc9H47em/b5uN1aBgc2lzGI39si7Mp6gin c9vj4zwJU8DqNa8LQoCgzDGDtNc29zdHv2l1dW8ifc7KsrGMnQdWiZDVw0cILfucQ0pJUq5cqoYN 6VAlI3bgSS2BjV/cydSD6hmOnQgj+lVCC2ZlaCSQvMkjbuCSwbUjTqft/wAigLiwt4IElvYUMMHd leP3O47ILl4Uj9zMANQo3qlNLDJ22YxBubfvm0ldog+ptpS0ZAJRo3JSQdOoIYVcoh8FF/qcxksR ds9tDc8chZZuZ2lhZ2JEZPeJVXXTXQkakFd9qDM/kHNeZosmN8p8gbIO7AxRY1BZLbXUTvJC0Drx EhkjUMOROh66Ag1lcL18a/LMPkk8drNcLPn7Npre/nhXhHdLbOqJdqo2Xuq6kj6619LsuTrl479Y 57N+xsxmtEc9TXh5tcbYah1XJRQeZ/5BeQeTeI+biXExmWyzNm900YLDS4tdI5GHHc/tlPb61OXW Ylts+jtw2/GSZVHwjzrI5K8xMGfwE16mWeWKzvbdp45Xe39zyCFjxIj25en61j2tPn/bd32b9j55 bm0EiRPBJIO8ve46oZSQwIO3tkH+a6xws8jC8u0Fu0t7eCIK3CWPlsB/1IVdvuB1plEDcfJniNjy 4XrS3cQDKqAsVnjIZGUDf3Dr9aDP8N8lZuTI5u18f8d7eHyJ/MtFQTFUmYjV/cg49zclRr0G/XXr x8HJv6Zalsd8h4z8p+VtYzXTpjZbSfvRnXmyB+LOIz+5uzL/AOfX0NevX9dyf6s1Yu8SD/xwTOZP /Y5u+ubl3VVaJDwU8PtJJ5NsNvSus7Th19W12+x1Xyad4P8AD2B8YUjGWgt+encbVmZtPqWJpefj 0n4TC3N8WnWkAggEY9K+ZybdVy1C1YBQY9/JDF26+O2Pkju0MmCndvyEJDIlzG0XUA7dztnfb61d pnV04tunbLGvDPlKa4ysOSiwF9lshHizZ2t/DG37cpk5SrzbSMCRerLWuLtt9p+MtrXLyy3EW2G9 +W87MsiWMOGh0ZVMrmWYpIu/2llBBUaarXt1/W8l9Vmrhd4e23wzlMlM02ZyVzdmUhpIteMZIPLQ qeS6a/QCu07Tg19Vu32Z6qt2E+E/HrPgRZIzLro0msh36/frWvf4dPTrExauth4Tj7dFVY1CrsFA 0AFcuT9htVmiZt8LZwgaINq8m3c7VrB4ltEg2UCuN3tUoAB0FZBQFAUCF7ZW95bvb3EaywyDR43A ZSP1B2rWu2BEnxSw5e2NVUdFAAH9hXr173aTDPSeQYSziA0QbVy27narg8S2iToorjd7VKBQOgrO RzQFAUBQFAUBQFAUBQFAUBQFAUBQFAUH/9k= ------=_NextPart_000_0000_01C3FBD7.7E0C6DB0 Content-Type: image/gif Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64 Content-Location: http://www.sfgate.com/templates/types/jason/graphics/column_top3.gif R0lGODlhfQAeANU/AAAAAFpZWUtLSx0dHYGBgVNTU3R0dPn5+UJCQhUUFODg4LKysvX19a2trf7+ /nFxccHBwdXV1W1tbXd3dwkJCZWVlQUFBc7Ozp2dnY6OjvDw8H19fezs7DMzM/z8/Lm5uYmJibW1 tSYmJsXFxT09PdHR0REREWZmZqmpqWlpaXh4eJGRkSMiIk1NTWJiYqWlpejo6KKiouXl5Xt7e8rK ytra2ri3tw0NDZmZmYSEhN7e3ikpKb29vS4uLgEBAf///yH5BAEAAD8ALAAAAAB9AB4AAAb/wJ/Q ETEIBIXGwfNKSXgeoXRKrVp/jkUqFTpYZQTJhHOdOmqNxsVhJaZ17LJ8LtXtAHj87ODC57x0gUMt eA8MVjQJABQRcWUOHxISOFFVDiiSNo6CnEIpeAIpFAAmESp4FQcahw4Mrg4HHIA/qqtsra+xDg4h Eg8QUR6uDGwXA6Q1QgwaGrNSDhAqEzFxB9a3DQYGI7CVWNYHm51THYs8HD0AFhifFiAYCCcyOi4F BhcqCCDhRS0CAQ0ccKj3YMEDBNRQBEgiMEeBfxgO1DhmQgEkFwgESFhjJto0Bx4ioMAQwwaxbAYg 1MDwQgOtCyMx2HA5jko6CjZkiFCHQ4K6/wEW8Bj4oMjEsUUlNNzx4WMRBB0mFt3AY4LHCTwZGBRo iscHCgUsACTgMGJqngGNnnl84YCGgQlwH0QMYWBDhg0TJKBo+wCuigcZnNW8GULDCgkzahjAk2BA UwELdloQMdXHixV4UqwYVSCC5B1RAaxYDKDCgqAFcEwlAWHnjggFFjnEOguatAUMQBjIcQGDCgMR 6BLIkYGAigwwMhggUCLG3ws1p9xcAAtcn9INRrWIDGBHiQDqKpDGUEKRgAt3Bly4XmGCn1MAcGhQ NCDGThYNyiWIgAPPhtrRDMUBAQaAoMEHv0GwgDYjyIBXBhEYRwBZDzxgQ3RS3BSQFAeAB/8AChBo x10HCrRTwQxYQWAeegCwEMEDqLgHAAEzNGUAAyhU0MAIxwyQ3yIpIIDHBI44wMNvH3CQQ4EKhDBD SgveM6ABGcgw2gYrLEBDBGRg+EM6FlC3DAMHXAVADB+IuFMPEXiYAYoAZKAiAOfdwcIFPpUmI41N BeCIAvT9CIAPFtxAwQy7eLDLkQIuCUKTTyqoDQ1gTLAPDMapsAEKxHj55SIhDJQRBKShqWZ3Mnww Qw415JDiinbiGSMefALgpwdL1BBoORQU1MALEUTwAgY0eDACkkoy6SSUk1ZqoAMw4KDCDHJ5Ex1h YIX3yZlpArDdTgNYtIsDcMoJa4uy6kn/a40zclAACS6EEJaP5ZhwAQ0zqNAAJilEdGyjTC4QaZQX YEqlDg0sgMICOWxggAKe8moDDLziYKap3nKHlhQekFZBInSyeGee7dGqQlMVcDBVAvYBQC8pF4CA RwEL4NWAsb/ZMCUIMNgw8KSYTrBCBDNI8EcIEwDnqQDqnFBBURDAyK12IdwXwTMb4OECCFO1UMJ9 6ZZcWgxBAaTIDtztQIOQFuTgIQj4zDD0C9TywACBvDkHnA11ZYABgTiAsRzCb0HsJQ+j5AGABB6w t0BTCDSgSAIlPFOe4hSEUMMoCYxwHQhm8hxWHhZAWJQM2Sk+QA0HjJb0BA9sAIOR2mjz/0AFDDSQ wgQO50VdAw/ULpdg43jQQAE99ECCgR7kcAQEJTy0wQgBCOCCDGbQcBAJJ2gCw0Mu6LDCESHgcMRe NeRDQgAxMABD9QXI0kAAJCDgAjc/aNBABSCsEINFP/AADWJQARzMpC04IBYEVvCCQzAAAhioAAZG QBNPWfCCGMygBjfIwQ5eQUGGC8QCFuDBEk4BAHBJB1wg8wMIkGACP5gAa4QAgXQsoAIvnMICANCD yv3gBTl0nuFqmIAFTIAFFaAhCRSgAPqZsIQCEIIAEiAEAthgBCy4kBBswIIRSJGKP4hAArQohARE 8QcYYEEICbBEKZ7RAGDsAQGE0MQnev/Qiz+YohAioAABkIAKJDijHss4RymY8QdgMcAUAFXII2wx ARBjQRvDaEcTDhKRCVDkFOAIsUHaoHNTOOQLEvACQP4xj2cMwAmEAEcSkLGSHrzkJwspBQKMMY9j xEAAShnKKNrylbiUoisDkEUpwDGTsIQiGH8wggTQsoqgvGQVDpmBW05BACxwoxBOYM0f2IAEh0wm B6XJggBQgZhfLMMhm5kBKpRTm2Vc5RQCAEpxalCaBFCjFMDSyGVOU5BnfKQWHUnIH7TzkXi0Jwal +YMTyLOhD2VoL+lIAgxQ1KLCFEIGXJRHLWIgoAq1IARyMAESTuEFpqkAL1tIUpNO85krOXgBwyAg hZGWtAI5MBxOX/CCnIb0p3IQIzCBStQNEuChRU1qBhWQ0A4GAQA7 ------=_NextPart_000_0000_01C3FBD7.7E0C6DB0 Content-Type: image/gif Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64 Content-Location: http://www.sfgate.com/templates/types/generic/graphics/autoheader144x32.gif R0lGODdhkAAgAPcAAP///wAAMwAAZgAAmQAAzAAA/wAzAAAzMwAzZgAzmQAzzAAz/wBmAABmMwBm ZgBmmQBmzABm/wCZAACZMwCZZgCZmQCZzACZ/wDMAADMMwDMZgDMmQDMzADM/wD/AAD/MwD/ZgD/ mQD/zAD//zMAADMAMzMAZjMAmTMAzDMA/zMzADMzMzMzZjMzmTMzzDMz/zNmADNmMzNmZjNmmTNm zDNm/zOZADOZMzOZZjOZmTOZzDOZ/zPMADPMMzPMZjPMmTPMzDPM/zP/ADP/MzP/ZjP/mTP/zDP/ /2YAAGYAM2YAZmYAmWYAzGYA/2YzAGYzM2YzZmYzmWYzzGYz/2ZmAGZmM2ZmZmZmmWZmzGZm/2aZ AGaZM2aZZmaZmWaZzGaZ/2bMAGbMM2bMZmbMmWbMzGbM/2b/AGb/M2b/Zmb/mWb/zGb//5kAAJkA M5kAZpkAmZkAzJkA/5kzAJkzM5kzZpkzmZkzzJkz/5lmAJlmM5lmZplmmZlmzJlm/5mZAJmZM5mZ ZpmZmZmZzJmZ/5nMAJnMM5nMZpnMmZnMzJnM/5n/AJn/M5n/Zpn/mZn/zJn//8wAAMwAM8wAZswA mcwAzMwA/8wzAMwzM8wzZswzmcwzzMwz/8xmAMxmM8xmZsxmmcxmzMxm/8yZAMyZM8yZZsyZmcyZ zMyZ/8zMAMzMM8zMZszMmczMzMzM/8z/AMz/M8z/Zsz/mcz/zMz///8AAP8AM/8AZv8Amf8AzP8A //8zAP8zM/8zZv8zmf8zzP8z//9mAP9mM/9mZv9mmf9mzP9m//+ZAP+ZM/+ZZv+Zmf+ZzP+Z///M AP/MM//MZv/Mmf/MzP/M////AP//M///Zv//mf//zAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACwAAAAAkAAgAAAI/wATCRxI sKDBgwgTKlzIsKHDhxAjSpxIsaLFixgzatzIsaPHjyBDihxJsqTJkygzIhJ4pYugRF5WLvTC4tq1 ADZlvBTIQgYLFl1Y9vwZ9MoVg1dkDLwyFGiipjrJ/JSh1CAiFl4GdhmqMxFTn06xslwh1utRrU3P XiEbVKGMo16UXj27UIbNnHQT2Vxh8yjfAyoO+K1K0KZMFgdsHlC690AAL4KuHSBxbYXBGdcIY16B 89rTxJIZB7XL18CgRCsIJ9p8wAALr5UTZ03ope1AL1m7XCGjsKbN14XbrrBMtmBxgl1u5j2u1zbM ay+9XHOOOgCJgVYOCJQ+m/m1K4i+C//MjBq4wOzGLaPOO/CtwdnbuyZMeq3swO9kBB14TRZRTIHM 8ZSaegAS9l1M0V0jU2oERZbcbDOQkN8V0BV4n26eCbQTgwNFmJ9Mdsl3UG0FIdJSRDWpNt5dAazE 111ZcXihdDKVd99dnnEHoHmrEQecXXcR5t0VM2hnHI9A2jRDIoi8uEKN283nUoMywGeQblCO59N0 O+LWHY/JtSSehVp6+dyCqq0gGAsGsPTdAQSiZiCGBskIG26C1BhXAKrFRZ1AiOhmJSIzWGkQbwZx ydeOxqnm214DeedcZDuNmUhkOGYlg2UUCmnegRXq5ReScSYiGIClQjaiIF38OZF40in/NdxbVaK2 wgxWzBCerqwqyOh4PSUlSKwzLNqhgoKQUdwMJQCYoY3jBQXnWtfEeGuuhF6D6wx+fYeZanke5F8i ur2300Ncogbdo/WpG6Sv450lI47TSaeYc8xFmMim27Ur531H6deXszBagaORThJ0BQlQbDeslyt5 sVtBb2WZ0sUlTmRxFyuwhwir4JloaLIYlzySxdvVVpurJoPkwkKnnaQqyFecSy7LJr9MEBZfPORC AoYS1EJK/10qqMIqtiyQzgPRYPNCLbgA32ynfTFAz4l8YeUgWu9MUFazUX2bQcN+jaVFNLjQAtZq 0yAQFjBl5XYiasOdSNpu09DC3IOo/51AQWnvDVPPXQOOBRZz0y3Q3z/DrTcNJwj0eAtgJwB5GQIN 4ILam79MQ1ZfML1dF1m2ulMXQTM0wCBlvIyF3Fm97ILbsse+dFaH3x07GYMMUBDid3/Rt+4GDe3F 3F8MnYjvxwuk/Od0ww28C6d58XLyWTPvOtxrF1S2QklJpPzQOg8vu9Rut/C61IpH7wUWsi8NONjc J6L8zi4grjPww9Mg/dz+S8TfdDeIAYYuEcBrngJpgD2JICJmENHZy5TXOgT6z39ZSUAWcHOa8b3P Cz0b3+8Ilzf4GSQBs1Ob5HBHuxXezn7ys97b8iY3x4FudqlLiMgo4jvFQe91i3tfAqhOs7+e6YyB WbPd8gyHwMrZ7TZMGyD71AdDC2ZtaAdcogAXtzQixi5mLejhQ/xEERRSbmkqzFwiCridzSmPaVFr QfWiNsCBwG9zAxHjQFyAOfkhMGrsQ+HSWpCAnuWugXobgN0GyMg8PlFhs5GJxFAWQYxBSXQL6aNI 6kixtswgKIKolUXuh7FBnFFpbXxkg5aCM1RKBGuu/IIqXUnLWtrylrjMpS5HEhAAOw== ------=_NextPart_000_0000_01C3FBD7.7E0C6DB0 Content-Type: image/gif Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64 Content-Location: http://www.sfgate.com/sports/49ers/graphics/1997/go_26x17.gif R0lGODlhGgARAMT/AP/////39/fn5+/Wzu/GxufGvee1td6tpd6lpd6cnNaUlNaMhM57c85za8Za Ur1SSr1CQrVCObU5MbUpKa0hGKUQCKUIAJwIAMDAwIwhIYwQEIwQCIwIAAAAAAAAAAAAACH5BAEA ABgALAAAAAAaABEAAAXKICaOZGme2WWtbOu225iuV23feG1dMaarr2BLJaLtKAoCYUFRXSSJwcFR +YmAl8lAkEgABpPLQyBADACLys5S1B0Ajtpj8KhsIReKAfAAXmkABVUUFBMVEQAJThAACjRtKwAI eQYCAw4PaGsSAZMrRTsXAQRVDwpoE5JOmQs6V0CnDBQVp2kFcBUTBAEQjxgsebcDWwKtEmcEAgAN Nmw+axYVDAgLEw94FhTTC9i+a04336E/ayIawC5O0EYqHCMb5OpG4u0n9vckIQA7 ------=_NextPart_000_0000_01C3FBD7.7E0C6DB0 Content-Type: image/gif Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64 Content-Location: http://www.sfgate.com/templates/types/homepage/graphics/bg_homeblu5.gif R0lGODlhsAQFAJEAAAAAAMzl5f///wAAACH5BAAAAAAALAAAAACwBAUAAAJ6jI+py+0Po5wJiIuz 3rz7D4biSJbmiabqyrbuC8fyTNf2jef6zvf+DwwKeZSi8YhMSizDpvMJjUqn1Kr1is1qt9yuN6YM i8fkyveMTqvX7Lb7DY/L5+6y/Y5/MOn8vv8PGCg4SFhoiJWXqHi3d+j4CBkpOUlZaXlJUgAAOw== ------=_NextPart_000_0000_01C3FBD7.7E0C6DB0 Content-Type: application/octet-stream Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: http://simg.zedo.com/intercept/tag/int168.js // Copyright (c) 2000-2004 ZEDO Inc. All Rights Reserved.=0A= function F0(){=0A= var a0=3Dnew Date();var z0=3Dnew Date();=0A= z0.setUTCHours(5);=0A= z0.setUTCMinutes(0);=0A= z0.setUTCSeconds(0);=0A= var t0=3Dz0.getTime()-a0.getTime();=0A= if(t0<0){=0A= z0.setUTCDate(z0.getUTCDate()+1);=0A= }=0A= return z0.toUTCString();=0A= }=0A= function F1(){=0A= var z0=3Dnew Date();=0A= z0.setTime(z0.getTime()+(6*60*60*1000));=0A= return z0.toUTCString();=0A= }=0A= function B0(){=0A= var d0=3Ddocument.cookie.match(/ZN162P168AD1=3D(\d+)/);=0A= if(d0!=3Dnull&&d0.length>0){=0A= return parseInt(d0[1]);=0A= }=0A= else{return 0;}=0A= }=0A= function U1(){=0A= var d0=3Ddocument.cookie.match(/ZN162P168AD2=3D(\d+)/);=0A= if(d0!=3Dnull&&d0.length>0){=0A= return parseInt(d0[1]);=0A= }=0A= else{return 0;}=0A= }=0A= function U0(v0){=0A= var c0=3Dnavigator.userAgent.toLowerCase();var = p0=3D(c0.indexOf('aol')!=3D-1);var = w0=3D(c0.indexOf('netscape6/6.')!=3D-1);var = r0=3D(c0.indexOf('netscape/7')!=3D-1);var = o0=3D",width=3D720,height=3D300";=0A= if(!p0&&!r0){=0A= o0+=3D",left=3D3000,top=3D3000";=0A= }=0A= if(!w0){=0A= o0+=3D",menubar=3Dno,location=3Dno";=0A= }=0A= else{=0A= o0+=3D",menubar=3Dno,location=3Dyes";=0A= }=0A= var = e0=3Dwindow.open("about:blank","_blank","toolbar=3Dno,resizable=3Dno,scro= llbars=3Dno,channelmode=3Dno,directories=3Dno"+o0);=0A= self.focus();=0A= if((e0!=3Dnull)&&(!e0.closed)){=0A= if(!e0.closed&&!p0&&!r0){=0A= e0.moveTo(Math.ceil((screen.availWidth-720)/ = 2),Math.ceil((screen.availHeight-300)/ 2));=0A= }=0A= if(!e0.closed){e0.blur();}=0A= self.focus();=0A= e0.location.href=3Dv0;=0A= }}=0A= var q0=3D1;var i0=3Dfalse;=0A= if(document.cookie.indexOf('ZN162P168AD1')=3D=3D-1){=0A= document.cookie=3D"ZN162P168AD1=3D0;expires=3D"+F0()+";domain=3D.zedo.com= ;path=3D/";=0A= if(document.cookie.indexOf('ZN162P168AD1')!=3D-1){=0A= i0=3Dtrue;=0A= }=0A= }else{=0A= i0=3Dtrue;=0A= }=0A= if(i0&&document.domain.indexOf('zedo.com')!=3D-1){=0A= var n0=3DB0();var x0=3DU1();=0A= if(n0 New political conflict shaping up in Iran / = Conservatives vs. hard-liners over economy
3D"SF


SFGate=20 Home
Today's=20 Chronicle

Sports=20
Entertainment

News &=20 Features
Business
Opinion
Politics
Technology
Crime
Science
Weird = News
Polls
Photo = Gallery
Columnists
Travel
Lottery
Obituaries

Personal=20 Shopper

Classifieds
Jobs
Personals
Real = Estate
Rentals
Vehicles
WebAds

Regional
Traffic
Weather
Live = Views
Maps
Bay Area = Traveler
Wine = Country
Reno & = Tahoe
Ski & = Snow
Outdoors
Earthquakes
<= FONT=20 face=3D"verdana, arial, sans-serif" color=3D#336666 = size=3D1>Schools

Entertainment
Food & = Dining
Wine
Movies
Music &=20 Nightlife
Events
Performance
Art
Books
Comics
TV & = Radio
Search = Listings

Living
Health
Home & = Garden
Gay & = Lesbian
Horoscope

Resources
Search &=20 Archives
Feedback/Contacts
Corrections
Newsletters

Site = Index

Subscriber=20 Service
Missed = Delivery
Vacation = Hold
Subscribe
Contact

Advertising

Place a = Classified
Advertise = Online
SF Gate Media=20 = Kit
 




New political conflict shaping up in = Iran=20
Conservatives vs. hard-liners over economy=20

Borzou = Daragahi,=20 Chronicle Foreign Service=20

Wednesday, February=20 25,=20 2004
3D"San
=20

3D"Click=20


Tehran -- Now that hard-liners = have seized=20 control of Iran's parliament, they also have assumed = the=20 challenge of managing a moribund economy while = containing the=20 aspirations of restless Iranians demanding more = personal=20 freedom.=20

Analysts say a new conflict could be brewing = between the=20 religious fundamentalists, who want to tighten social=20 controls, and pragmatic conservatives who want to = follow the=20 "Chinese model" by adapting to new domestic and = international=20 realities.=20

"One part of them are these unknown people who are = making=20 slogans about development and economic growth," said = Rajabali=20 Mazroui, a liberal member of parliament who was barred = from=20 running in this month's elections. "Another part of = them are=20 the very radical, harsh right-wingers. It's not clear = who's=20 going to come out on top."=20

The hard-liners' carefully crafted takeover of = parliament=20 comes as Iran prepares to reopen its economy to the = world for=20 the first time since Iranians toppled pro-Western Shah = Mohammed Reza Pahlavi in 1979.=20

The stock market has agreed on rules for individual = foreigners to invest in Iranian firms. Last week, = Turkcell, a=20 Turkish firm listed on the New York Stock Exchange, = won the=20 contract to build a mobile phone network.=20

Japan has agreed to invest $2 billion in developing = oil=20 fields. The French car manufacturer Renault has signed = a deal=20 to invest $750 million in Iran over the next few = years.=20

Although U.S. sanctions on Iran remain, many U.S. = allies=20 are eager to do business there. For those ventures to = succeed,=20 the new political leaders may be forced to keep the = most=20 extreme hard-liners in check.=20

"If there's a huge crackdown on human rights in = Iran,=20 there's going to be huge pressure on these companies = to=20 leave," said Ali Ghezelbash, an analyst at a = Tehran-based=20 investment consulting firm. "These companies don't = want to be=20 seen as supporting a despotic government."=20

Conservatives took control of parliament by = blocking the=20 candidacies of most reformers, even incumbent = lawmakers.=20

Under Iran's system of government, the ultimate = authority=20 lies not with the elected president, but with a group = of=20 unelected clerics who disdain liberalism and answer = only to=20 supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Unable to field = liberal=20 candidates, reformists urged voters to stay home, = guaranteeing=20 the new parliament will shift hard to the right.=20

Political unknowns calling themselves the = Association of=20 Advancement of Islamic Iran, known locally as = Abadgaran, won=20 the biggest block of votes. Their leader, incumbent = lawmaker=20 Gholamali Haddadadel, is married to a daughter of = Khamenei.=20

The group has endorsed many of the good-government = slogans=20 of the reform movement -- for example, vowing not to = crack=20 down on women with hair showing beneath their = headscarves or=20 young people listening to pop music.=20

"Our goal is to solve economic problems," said Emad = Ghetassi, who works in Abadgaran's public relations = office.=20 "The last parliament ignored economic problems. We've = promised=20 to solve unemployment. We've promised to increase = people's=20 purchasing power and solve the inflation problem."=20

Political analysts here say the new conservative = majority=20 is bifurcated into two strains, one pragmatic and = focused on=20 improving the economy, the other ideological and = focused on=20 bolstering Islam. The two groups married temporarily = for the=20 sake of defeating the reformists in last Friday's = elections,=20 but a new split may emerge.=20

The pragmatic conservatives talk of a new approach: = a=20 Chinese model, in which the country would open itself = to=20 foreign investment, provide jobs and limited social = freedom=20 while keeping most political dissent in check. = Adherents of=20 this approach disdain the tactics of the clerics' most = strident supporters.=20

"They know that if the hard-liners start putting = pressure=20 on people, it's dangerous," said Ghezelbash. "If = people get=20 beaten up on the head, they might go home. But they'll = go home=20 angrier and angrier and eventually blow up."=20

Pragmatic conservatives such as former President = Hashemi=20 Rafsanjani and U. S.-educated state television = director Ali=20 Larijani would like to "water down the existing severe = social=20 atmosphere, implement reforms, give minor social = freedoms to=20 the society and develop a positive approach with = foreign=20 powers," including the United States, said Davoud = Hermidas=20 Bavand, a professor of international relations in = Tehran.=20

But the Chinese model will be no easy fit for Iran. = Although the country has reformed foreign investment = laws and=20 set up tax holidays for investors, its market = potential -- 68=20 million Iranians, compared to 1.2 billion Chinese -- = is=20 relatively small, while the potential for a public = relations=20 fallout is immense, especially with foreign companies = that=20 have significant U.S. investments.=20

One Tehran representative of a European = multinational put=20 it bluntly: "Iran is an interesting market, but it's = not=20 China."=20

Moreover, foreign investment will mean foreigners = bringing=20 Western and secular values, demanding social freedoms = and=20 introducing new ideas.=20

"If you are building a foreign company here, it = means=20 bringing hundreds of families here," said noted French = scholar=20 Bernard Hourcade, a specialist in Iran. "The sociology = of=20 these cities will change. The social climate will = change."=20

That's exactly what will alienate the pious = traditionalists=20 who believe Iran should implement and export Islamic = values.=20

Bavand predicts those forces might stymie the = pragmatic=20 conservatives' goal of a Chinese model, leaving them = unable to=20 solve Iran's myriad domestic problems -- unemployment, = brain=20 drain, drug addiction, corruption -- as well as the=20 international condemnation of its secret nuclear = weapons=20 program, support for terrorist movements and record of = human=20 rights abuses.=20

After all, for nearly two decades after the 1979=20 revolution, the various conservative factions held=20 near-monopolies on power in Iran and still weren't = able to=20 solve domestic problems.=20

"You look at them now, it's the same individuals," = said=20 Bavand. "Previously they had the same authority, and = they=20 weren't able to do a thing."

3D"graphical

Page A - 1
3D"Buy Get 50% off home delivery of the = Chronicle=20 for 12 weeks! =
=A92004=20 San Francisco Chronicle | Feedback = | FAQ

 =20 =20


=B7 Printer-friendly=20 version
=B7 Email=20 this article to a friend=20


=
3D"Bay

Multiple Sales = Opportunities...
SF=20 Chronicle


OPEN HOUSE! = Sales Pros=20 Invited
SF=20 Chronicle


Online Sales=20 Opportunity
SFGate.com


Supervisor=20 Opportunity
SF=20 Chronicle


Asst. = Maintenance=20 Manager
SF=20 Chronicle


MANAGEMENT=20 EXPERIENCE
SF=20 Chronicle


Experienced=20 Professional
SF=20 Chronicle


CONSULTANT = Proven=20 Proprietary Market


SERVICES = Foster Family=20 Specialist (C


SERVICES = Family Resource=20 Coord. (Cla


PROJ MGR/ENGR = Constr. Mgmt=20 (CM) firm


PERSON Large = SF-based law=20 firm seeks


Full-time
Endodontic=20 Associate


SAN = MATEO-FOSTER CITY=20 SCHOOL DISTRIC


Mkg Assistant = & Legala=20 Assistant
Crescent=20 Heights


SALES AMBIANCE = is=20 Expanding! Now hir


GSM = WIRELESS...an=20 authorized dealer


Director of = Admin. and=20 Finance
The Culinary=20 Institu


Home = Improvement=20 Company


FINANCIAL = SERVICES=20
LEXMARK


Branch = Manager


1st National = Bank of=20 Arizona There's


Customer = Service=20 Accounting


Parttime = Evening hours 5=20 to 9pm. Mon


EXECUTIVE = PRACTICE LEADERS=20 Tatum Par

About=20 Top Jobs
View All Top Jobs=20 =


07/18/2003=20 - Death of photojournalist becomes part of = bitter=20 reform fight in Iran .=20

01/15/2002=20 - Jailed Iranian lawmaker freed after = Parliament=20 threatens boycott .=20

01/15/2002=20 - Reformist lawmaker released from prison = after=20 pardon from Iran's supreme leader .=20

08/06/2001=20 - Iran factional war intensifies over = postponement=20 of Khatami's inauguration .=20

more=20 related articles...






=0A= ------=_NextPart_001_0021_01C3FBD7.7E15BC80 Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: http://simg.zedo.com/undertone/tag/int168.html UndertoneNetworks.com ------=_NextPart_001_0021_01C3FBD7.7E15BC80-- ------=_NextPart_000_0000_01C3FBD7.7E0C6DB0--