Rushdie 'still under death threat if in N.Z.’

Press, 27 July 1989, Page 6

Rushdie 'still under death threat if in N.Z.’

By

BRENDON BURNS

in Wellington Iran’s first Ambassador to New Zealand, Mr Mohammed Taheri, sees no clash between his country’s insistence of non-interference in domestic affairs and its death threat against the British author, Salman Rushdie. Mr Taheri, who arrived this week, said Rushdie faces execution whether he is in London or New Zealand.

An apology from the author of the “Satanic Verses” would not help, as his book contained blasphemy of the Islamic prophet, Muhammed. Mr Taheri said Western nations could not understand the offence caused by the novel.

Islam, as a religion, treated all followers as members of one nation, he said. -■ •

“It doesn't matter what country we live in.”

It has been suggested that Salman Rushdie may be moved from Britain to a “safer” country, and New Zealand was named by one report as a possible new home for him.

The death threat would still apply, said Mr Taheri.

Iran was not the only country offended by the novel. An Islamic conference of 44 nations had confirmed the death penalty was appropriate, he said. Mr Taheri said Islam had high regard for the prophets of other religions. A protest had been made against the recent film, “The Last Temptation of Christ”

A new link has been made with Mr Taheri’s appointment Previously, Iran’s

ambassadors to New Zealand have been based in Canberra and accredited here. A former head of economic relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Teheran, Mr Taheri sees much opportunity for increased trade between Iran and New Zealand.

He suggested joint ventures could occur in such areas as forestry technology, animal livestock, pasture management and food technology. Iran has thousands of students doing postgraduate work overseas and New Zealand could host some of these. Assistance could be provided by Iran in petroleum exploration, said Mr Taheri. After eight years of war with Iraq, the economy of Iran was beginning to recover, he said. New Zealand could play a role in the reconstruction required.

But countries wishing to involve themselves had to accept that Iranians were committed to maintaining an Islamic republic. “The people want this regime," said Mr Taheri. "For this matter, they will tolerate any difficulty.” Iran’s system of Government, established by the late Ayatollah Khomeiny, had total support, he said. “The best democracy in the world, I think, is in Iran.”

Last March, the Minister of External Relations and Trade, Mr Moore, cancelled a trade mission to Iran in the wake of the Ayatollah’s death threat against Salman Rushdie.

Mr Taheri said yesterday the situation had changed and the relationship between the two countries had improved.