Iran suspicious of U.S., U.S.S.R.

Press, 12 July 1980, Page 6

Iran suspicious of U.S., U.S.S.R.

By

BRIAR WHITEHEAD

Mrgn<was' fully aware that the Sbviet Union was seeking- friendly.- alignment with it because .of Western economic sanctions, /aid the Iranian ‘delegate to the U.N.E.S.C.O: conference in Wellington, Mr J. Grolestaneh, yesterday. Iran was suspicious of friendly overtures by Russia. “We know that any country which comes under the hand of Russia finds it very hard to get out,” he said. But Iran held the same view - of the United States. “They will both treat us the same way, and so’ we are not for West and not for East. We will not be forced into any camp by any pressure." Iran would keep its needs

simple and trade with nonaligned nations such as Austria, Norway, Australia, and. New Zealand. “It- is 100 per cent certain that Russia will not attempt to use Iran to get access to the Persian Gulf. It will cause the third world war; Russia knows that,” Mr Golestapeh said. “The United States and Europe know that the Persian Gulf is their industry’s lifeblood. If tbe supply is cut in any way; they will; die. They will fight for their life. . , “Iran is not going to be too friendly with the Soviet Union. If; they do something wrong, we will soon tell them.” - .. On the 52 American hostages, Mr Golestaneh said

they would not be killed or given the death sentence at their trial later this month. They would undergo a “symbolic trial" designed to show the world what, America’s real intentions were in any country it was allegedly helping. “Iran wants the trial to show the world that America is guilty of crimes against the Iranian people,” he said. Although the Parliament was dominated by Muslim fundamentalists, this did not mean the court would impose a hard sentence. The hostages would be freed without trial, “even though some of them were spies,” if the United States intervened to return the Shah to Iran and began disi cussidns on the return of

some of the millions of dollars expropriated by the Shah and invested- in the United States. The mass of Iran’s population supported the. Islamic reforms and purges of universities, the Army, and the administration. “They caused the revolution; they are not unhappy with it,” Mr Golestaneh said. “They know that the ruling classes made them poor, and massacred them.” Any resistance to the revolution was inspired by groups carrying out United States or Russian policies, or by supporters of the deposed Shah. The United States and friends of America were “causing most trouble now.” Asked whether President

fßani-Sadr was considered too moderate and pro-West-ern, Mr Golestaneh said he was a popular president, but the Ayatollah Khomeiny and “other people” wanted him to speed up the revolution. “Bani-Sadr wants more time. Changes cannot, be made in two or -three days. An administration 50 years old cannot be replaced overnight.” On New Zealand’s lamb market with Iran, Mr Golestaneh said Iran would have to import lamb for “a few more years,” until it became self-sufficient. It would import from Rumania, Australia, and New Zealand. “Iran used to export lamb and pelts, but this stopped jwhen America came into our i country,” he said.