TEHRAN Managing Director of bimonthly Iran-e-Farda, Ezzatollah Sahabi, told the Weekly Arzesh'ha that he had given an interview to the so-called Free Radio, but that he was not aware of its intentions. He stressed that he did not have knowlege of their objectives and would not talk to them again. Asked if he was aware of the result of the interview, Sahabi said No, I had not heard of that radio before, but I told them what had happened in the court.

Asked why the radio showed interest in Iran-e-Farda while ignoring the Press Court's condemnation of the manager of a publication supporting the Islamic Republic, Sahabi said, Well, that is because Iran-e-Farda is famed for being critical of the government, and it is widely said that the government does not approve of this periodical. Arzesh'ha asked Sahabi why the American mass media identify themselves with some forces critical of the government.

Well, they support any opposition, Sahabi replied. Asked how he evaluated the motive of the American mass media for adopting a supportive attitude towards some opposition members, Sahabi said, Perhaps they want to intensify our disputes with the government. Anyhow, I told you with candor that I did not know their intentions and would not talk to them again. Sahabi added that the Israeli Radio had on several occasions quoted his words, which were completely falsified.

The Israeli radio intends to make the government and security organizations hostile towards me and, if need be, to eliminate me physically. Perhaps this Free Radio also pursues such objectives, he noted. He added, Therefore, the government should also be aware of the games played by these radios. If I am quoted by these media, the government should not immediately raise a hue and cry and summon me to court, Sahabi said.

Arzesh'ha said that it was not the case, adding that his recent appearance in court had nothing to do with his interview with a foreign radio but, rather, it was due to the complaints levelled against him. Sahabi said the proceedings of the court would finally be revealed. You will see that foreign radios will criticize the ruling passed by the court regarding Ms. Faeze Hashemi, he said.

Arzesh'ha asked, Do you believe if a journalist violates the press law, he should not be tried only because the foreign media may criticize the court? Sahabi said, What I am trying to say is that these trials serve as a means to suppress the press. Arzesh'ha said, But these complaints were not only made against Iran-e-Farda. The managers of Salam, Kayhan, the monthly Sobh and some others have also been tried on press-related charges.

If, for instance, the manager of the monthly Sobh is tried even for several times, neither BBC nor VOA will say a word in this regard, but they are interested in periodicals like Iran-e-Farda, thus making a hue and cry as soon as the managers of such periodicals are summoned to court. Managing Director of bimonthly Iran-e-Farda, Ezzatollah Sahabi, in a talk with the Weekly Arzesh'ha said that he had given an interview to the so-called Free Radio, which broadcasts anti-Iran programs through the financial assistance of the U.S. Congress. Sahabi is the first Iranian to give an interview to the Prague-based radio, which has been set up through the four million dollar aid out of the 20 million dollar budget assigned by the U.S. Congress to carry out anti-Iran operations.