This column features excerpts from news articles, editorials, commentaries, and interviews of the leading Iranian newspapers and websites. 

Tehran-e-Emrouz: Almost $2b of the huge embezzlement transferred abroad 

Etemad: Intelligence Ministry investigating the embezzlement dossier 

 

Iran: Ahmadinejad says to Pakistani premier: hegemonic powers endure, thanks to insecurity in other nations

Jame-e-Jam: Russian energy minister says welcome Iran’s joining to nuclear club 

Khorasan: Bushehr nuclear plant’s electricity production reached 400 megawatts 

SHARQ: Administration not transferred $12b of oil revenue to treasury 

Farhikhtegan: Transitional government of Libya to be established within 10 days

Qods: Iranian Air Force’s newest command and control system becomes operational 

Javan in an article quoted Secretary General of the High Council for Human Rights Mohammad-Javad Larijani as saying reformists do not deserve to run for the March parliamentary election. He said if reformists succeeded in their plot against the Islamic system in the post-election unrest in 2009 they would have established a “secular dictatorship” in the country. He also said a movement (reformist movement), which took shape during Rafsanjai’s presidency and intensified its activities during Khatami’ tenure, tried to undermine the Islamic system and the principles set by Imam Khomeini and the Supreme Leader. Larijani called reformists opportunist whose “liberal thought” turns around opportunism and this is why they were staunch advocates of velayat-e-faqih (rule of the supreme jurisprudent)during Imam Khomeini’s leadership but later turned against velayat-e-faqih following Imam’s demise and took up interest in the West. However, he said, there is some reformists who are committed the principles of the velayat-e-faqih.

In a front page story the HAMSHAHRI newspaper says embezzlement in Bank Saderat which amounts to 28 trillion riyals (almost $2.8 billion) has entered a new phase as Central Bank Governor Mahmoud Bahmani, Saderat Bank Director Mohammad Jahromi and Economy Minister Shamseddin Hosseini have reacted to the issue. Bahmani and Hosseini blame lack of enough supervision for such a huge embezzlement. However, Jahromi claims political officials have a hand in the embezzlement. On the other hand, Bahamni believes the issue should not be politicized because in that situation the people’s rights will be trampled underfoot. Jahromi goes on to say that “this embezzlement was not possible without guidance of” some elements within the banking system. Of course, he adds, those behind the embezzlement had enjoyed “special supports” because embezzling such a huge sum of money is not possible without support by “political currents” and executive officials. Jahromi also says anybody who has failed to do his duty properly should be dealt with, adding even if he himself has not done his task efficiently he should be held accountable. Economy Minister Hosseini has says the Intelligence Ministry is investigating the case, claiming the culprits involved in the embezzlement have been arrested. Hosseini says the issue was first reported to the economy and intelligence ministries and then it was decided to form a committee comprising the central banker, the economy, and intelligence ministers to investigate the case and that the committee identified the main culprit.