Referring to your Opinion column of January 23, 2001 entitled "Another Blunder by Asharq al-Awsat", I write to inform you that articles printed by that newspaper against the Islamic Republic of Iran is not and should not be considered as mere journalistic blunder. They are a definite part of a concerted effort and action initiated by the opposition groups overseas to blot and ravage not only the various institutions within the country, but ultimately to expunge, mutilate and destroy the Islamic state.

The connection of **** Asharq al-Awsat **** to a notorious Iranian expatriate residing in England and with dubious relationship to the intelligent services of U.S. and Israel is no secret. But by allowing itself to become a direct mouthpiece of a particular political interest group, the newspaper has managed to reach a new low even in gutter journalism.

After its recent false contention that Mr. Khatami has written a letter to the Leader stipulating eight conditions for standing as a candidate during the next presidential election, this paper in its issue of January 25 has now claimed that it has in its possession secret political files on the serial murder trials ongoing at present in the country. The paper also claims that it has received the diary of one of the accused people through his family in England. The diary, **** Asharq al-Awsat **** contends, implicates a number of high-ranking government officials in the murders. Although the paper explains at length the relationship between the various accused persons and the discussions they had amongst themselves regarding the murders, it refrains from naming any of the officials who it maintains were involved through issuing the initial orders.

Without wishing to go into any details about the current trial and the background of the accused, there is one question that I wish to put to you and your readers. What is the role of **** Asharq al-Awsat****? Why this intense interest in the internal affairs of Iran? Whose interests the paper is trying to serve? Could it possibly be the very close relationship existing between the paper and that certain Iranian individual who is in its employ but provides financial services to the paper through covert organizations with whom he is closely associated?

I should be very grateful if your paper could clarify for its readers the special relationship existing between **** Asharq al-Awsat **** and the political opposition groups in Europe and America.

Yours faithfully, Firouz Vafa