New Shah of Iran ‘to he crowned in Cairo’

Press, 22 September 1980, Page 6

New Shah of Iran ‘to he crowned in Cairo’

NZPA' . Cairo The deposed Shah . of Iran’s son, Reza Pahlaui, is expected to be crowned the new Shah in Cairo next month and to form a gov-ernment-in-exile, a prominent Egyptian magazine has said.

Reza’s father died in Cairo in July after being forced out of Iran by the revolutionary movement of Ayatollah Khomeiny in January last year. The ’ Egyptian magazine, "October”, which has close ties with President Anwar Sadat, said that Reza, who is 19, would turn 20 next month and thus "according to the 1906 Iranian Constitution he„ would be crowned Shah.” _ ■ Reza’s sister, ’ Farahnaz, recently told the Associated Press that her brother is in Egypt and would be attending the American University in Cairo. She said he planned to enrol in political science’and economics. The magazine said that on

his coronation day Reza would “address a message” to the Iranian people from Cairo and immediately after that would form a govem-ment-in-exile ostensibly to regain control of his country.' It said the government would Be composed of devout supporters who had fled the Khomeiny regime,

including politicians and military officials. The magazine report said, “persons who have recently talked with Reza have noted a significant change in him. He has become much more mature” because of what he has gone through in the last 20 months since the family fled Iran.

The late Shah and his family moved seven times before being granted asylum in Egypt last March. They took temporary refuge in Morocco, Mexico, Panama, and several other countries but none would grant them permanent residence for fear of reprisals from the Khomeiny regime. The family lives in an 81ha, walled estate as guests of President Sadat. The mansion was a former royal palace.

Reza appears to .have more freedom of movement than the younger members of the family. Although he is permanently accompanied by armed officials, he has been seen at a Cairo disco with President Sadat’s son, Gamal.