DATE=12/14/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-242954
TITLE=IRAN DEATHS REACT (L)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  IRAN'S SUPREME RELIGIOUS LEADER HAS CONDEMNED A WAVE OF 
SUSPICIOUS DEATHS IN THE COUNTRY AND IS BLAMING THEM ON ENEMIES 
OF THE STATE.  V-O-A MIDDLE EAST CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB REPORTS
THE IRANIAN LEADER MADE THE REMARKS AS A NUMBER OF SECULAR 
INTELLECTUALS IN THE COUNTRY WENT INTO HIDING AS A RESULT OF THE 
INCIDENTS.

TEXT:  IRAN'S SUPREME RELIGIOUS LEADER ALI KHAMENEI TOLD A GROUP 
OF CLERICS (MONDAY) THAT THE MURDER OF CITIZENS, WHOEVER THEY 
MIGHT BE, IS A CRIME AGAINST NATIONAL SECURITY.  HE URGED 
SECURITY OFFICIALS TO SERIOUSLY INVESTIGATE THE CASES, SAYING 
THIS UNDOUBTEDLY WOULD REVEAL THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY.

THREE SECULARIST WRITERS HAVE BEEN FOUND DEAD IN RECENT WEEKS 
AFTER BEING REPORTED MISSING.  A FOURTH IS MISSING AND PRESUMED 
DEAD.  SEVERAL OF THEM WERE BROUGHT BEFORE A REVOLUTIONARY COURT 
LAST OCTOBER FOR TRYING TO FORM A UNION OF WRITERS AND 
JOURNALISTS.

THE DEATHS, WHICH MANY BELIEVE ARE MURDERS, HAVE CAUSED A NUMBER 
OF INTELLECTUALS TO GO INTO HIDING.

LAST MONTH VETERAN DISSIDENT POLITICIAN DARIUSH FAROUHAR AND HIS 
WIFE WERE FOUND STABBED TO DEATH IN THEIR HOME.   NO  ONE HAS 
BEEN CHARGED IN ANY OF THE CASES. 

AYATOLLAH KHAMENEI SAID THERE WERE DIRECT AND INDIRECT HANDS 
INVOLVED IN THE DEATHS AND SAID THEY WERE AIMED AT CREATING 
INSECURITY IN THE SYSTEM.  SOME IRANIAN LEADERS HAVE BLAMED THE 
INCIDENTS ON ISRAEL, THE UNITED STATES, OR AN IRANIAN DISSIDENT 
GROUP THAT STAGES SPORADIC ATTACKS AGAINST LEADERS OF THE REGIME.

OTHERS SAY THE ATTACKS ARE BY SUPPORTERS OF CONSERVATIVE FACTIONS
WHO ARE SEEKING TO UNDERMINE THE GOVERNMENT OF REFORMIST 
PRESIDENT MOHAMED KHATAMI.

PRESIDENT KHATAMI HAS CREATED A SPECIAL TASK FORCE TO INVESTIGATE
THE DEATHS, WHICH HAVE BEEN CONDEMNED BY ONE-HALF  OF THE 
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND LEADERS FROM ACROSS THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM.
(SIGNED)

NEB/SB/JWH

14-Dec-98 9:40 AM EST (1440 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.