The column ‘Persian Press Review’ features the headlines and leading articles carried by Farsi dailies.

Wednesday’s headlines:
AFARINESH: Iran warns Russia about using Iran as a bargaining chip
RESALAT: American aircraft carriers retreat from the region in which Iranian navy is carrying out war games
IRAN: Cash subsidy will be credited to the account of heads of households every two months, says VP for parliamentary affairs
ABRAR: Ambiguities in Iran’s nuclear issue have been resolved for the IAEA, says Foreign Ministry spokesman
EBTEKAR: Attempt to bring down Kabul-Mashhad airliner failed
ASRAR: Iran’s anti-aircraft defense system gives warning to an American reconnaissance aircraft, announces Army chief
ETTELAAT: Eight presidents to attend G15 summit in Tehran
PUL: 160 major clients of banks banned from receiving banking services (due to their bad records in repaying loans), announces Bank Melli director
JAM-E JAM: We should work out a realistic solution to resolve the Palestine issue, says Majlis speaker Larijani
JAVAN: 135 MPs praise media outlets that disclosed post-election (June 2009 presidential election) seditious moves
JOMHURI-E ESLAMI: Iran test-fires advanced missiles on last day of Velayat 89 war games
HEMAYAT: Imminent massive earthquake in Tehran is only a rumor
SHARQ: Pakistani ambassador attacked in Tehran
KAR-O KARGAR: Moscow seeks to ease tension in its relations with Iran, according to an Arab daily
VATAN-E EMROOZ: Mirhossein Mousavi backs terrorists (PEJAK members who were recently hanged in Evin prison)
Leading articles:
MARDOMSALARI in its editorial entitled “Kremlin’s Dubious Diplomacy” has analyzed Iran-Russia diplomatic relations. Iran has implicitly announced that it is ready to exchange nuclear fuel with the mediation of Turkey and Brazil. But it seems that Russia is displeased with the move and wants to remain the main player in the nuclear row and be the only channel through which Iran can negotiate with the West. On the one hand, Russian officials try to put Iran under pressure to show flexibility toward the West and on the other hand they hold low-key negotiations behind the scenes with some countries to isolate Iran. The writer says although it seems that Russia is opposed to the imposition of new sanctions on Iran, an isolated Iran that is at loggerheads with the West is the most desirable option for the Russians.
DONYA-E EQTESAD in its editorial has criticized state economic bodies for making inconsistent decisions. If every administration official wants to make economic decisions without consulting with other officials and experts, it results in a lack of coordination between executive bodies and adoption of contradictory policies, creating confusion for people engaged in economic activities. Industrialists, businessmen, merchants, and other people should know which body adopts economic policies and makes decisions, otherwise they can not realize whose remarks they can trust and how they can plan their economic activities. The best example manifesting lack of coordination among officials is the subsidy reform plan which has confused many people. Each day one official says something that is denied next day and new decisions are made.
JOMHURI-E ESLAMI in its editorial has warned about the negative effects of contradictory statistics released by different official bodies on the public confidence. The inconsistency in the statistics announced by state organizations will have repercussions on the economy and will damage public confidence in the government. For example, the most recent disagreement between the Central Bank of Iran and the Iran Statistics Center over the inflation rate has created an atmosphere of distrust about the official statistics.
JAHAN-E SANAAT in its editorial has refuted claims by administration officials that the implementation of the subsidy reform plan will root out poverty. Administration officials say they seek to tackle the issue of poverty by implementing the subsidy reform. Based of the economic principles, the only way to get rid of the poverty is boosting the economic growth and GDP. Although the subsidy reform is a positive move but it has little to do with the sustained economic growth and can not eliminate poverty. In conclusion, the writer says based on the economic principles, experts can not take the administration’s claim (that the plan will eliminate poverty) seriously.