The column ‘Persian Press Review’ features the headlines and leading articles carried by Farsi dailies. We are going to keep you informed on the latest top stories covered by the Iranian newspapers.

Wednesday’s headlines:
Etemad: Intellectuals should try to promote democracy, says Mohammad Khatami (former president)
Iran: Residents of the capital (Tehran) should consider moving to other cities, president says
Abrar: €1 billion (gas) deal between Iran and Germany
Asrar: The Leader says elites should transparently clarify their stance towards enemy
Etelaat: In (televised political) debates the opportunity should be given to all pundits, says Ali Larijani (Majlis speaker)
Javan: Elites should avoid taking equivocal stance, states the Supreme Leader
Tehran-e Emrooz: Majlis says cash subsidy for all people; administration says subsidy only for 50 million
Kar-o Kargar: Today, moderation and patience are main needs of the country, says Rafsanjani
Keyhan: The U.S. occupies Haiti under the cover of delivering aid to quake-stricken people
Gostaresh: First production line of diesel engine cars goes on stream
Farhikhtegan: Extremism is the major problem facing the country, says Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani
Jomhurie-e Eslami: Cultural programs for Ten-Day Dawn (ceremonies to celebrate the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution) announced
Leading articles:
‘Keyhan’ editorial headlined “The Resistance Won’t Die” has reviewed the Israeli invasion of Gaza in 2009. Last January, the Zionist regime launched its barbarous invasion of the Gaza Strip. During the 22-day Israeli offensive into Gaza (from December 27, 2008 to January 18, 2009) more than 1400 Palestinians were martyred and more than 6000 injured, and a large number of people were displaced and became homeless. Israel, after months of military and economic blockade of Gaza, waged this unequal war on the pretext of releasing its captured soldier (Gilad Shalit). But the real motive behind the incursion was the occupation of the Gaza Strip and the overthrow of Hamas (Islamic Resistance Movement). The criminal Israeli forces suffered a humiliating defeat and could not achieve any of their goals. This war will go down in history as a great victory for Palestinians.
‘Mardomsalari’ in its editorial has voiced concern over the status of economic plans presented to the Majlis by the administration. The current (Iranian calendar) year (started March 20, 2009) is coming to an end. But the annual budget bill is not submitted to the parliament yet. The fifth (five-year) development plan (2010-15) is not yet examined. The implementation of the subsidy reform plan (recently passed in the parliament) has met an indefinite fate. So no considerate person can be indifferent to the alarming country’s economic status in the next year.
‘Resalat’ in an article has commented on the Supreme Leader’s recent remarks. The Supreme Leader has stated that an establishment, which is backed by its nation, can not be undermined by the dissidents. The most important asset of the Islamic republic is the people’s support. The nation has repeatedly played its effective role at critical junctures.
‘Tehran-e Emrooz’ editorial titled “Crossing Opaqueness towards Transparency” has tried to find out the root of the problem brought up by the Supreme Leader. The Leader in his recent speech has called on the elites to clarify their stances. A large number of problems in the society arise from the lack of transparency prevailing Iranian citizens’ social behavior. This vice that is tied up with citizens’ social behavior has worried many considerate intellectuals and social reformists and it is necessary to launch a campaign against such a mentality.
‘Gostaresh’ in its editorial has gone into the health consequences of air pollution in Tehran. The president in the celebration ceremony of the National Clean Air Day (held on Tuesday) has called on the Tehranis to move to other cities, if it is possible for them. The president said “Tehran with a population of 10 million cannot breathe.” Economic damage inflicted by the air pollution in Tehran is estimated at $20 million per day. The poisonous gas of carbon monoxide accounts for 75-85 percent of air pollutants in Tehran. The inhalation of this gas can lead even to the death. National will is required to face this environmental catastrophe.