DATE=2/9/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-245302
TITLE=IRAN / INTELLIGENCE (L ONLY)
BYLINE=RICHARD ENGEL
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  OFFICIAL NEWSPAPERS IN IRAN REPORT THE COUNTRY'S 
INTELLIGENCE MINISTER HAS RESIGNED.  RICHARD ENGEL IN CAIRO 
REPORTS THE IRANIAN OFFICIAL HAS BEEN UNDER ATTACK BECAUSE OF HIS
MINISTRY'S CONNECTION TO THE MURDER OF IRANIAN DISSIDENTS AND 
WRITERS LAST YEAR.

TEXT:  TWO IRANIAN NEWSPAPERS, INCLUDING ONE OWNED BY THE 
GOVERNMENT, REPORT IRAN'S PRESIDENT MOHAMMED KHATAMI HAS ACCEPTED
THE RESIGNATION OF THE NATION'S INTELLIGENCE CHIEF, QORBANALI 
DORI-NAJAFABADI. 

THE RESIGNATION OF MR. DORI-NAJAFABADI COMES ONLY FOUR WEEKS 
AFTER THE INTELLIGENCE MINISTRY ADMITTED THAT A FEW OF WHAT IT 
CALLED ITS ROGUE AGENTS WERE INVOLVED IN A STRING OF MURDERS THAT
BEGAN IN NOVEMBER.

THE NEWSPAPERS ALSO QUOTED INFORMED SOURCES AS SAYING IRAN'S 
CHIEF MILITARY PROSECUTOR, ALI YUNESI, IS EXPECTED TO BE THE NEW 
INTELLIGENCE MINISTER.  MR. YUNESI HEADS A PRESIDENTIAL COMMITTEE
INVESTIGATING THE MURDERS OF THE FOUR DISSIDENTS AND 
INTELLECTUALS.

MODERATES CLOSE TO PRESIDENT KHATAMI HAVE BEEN CALLING FOR A 
PURGE OF THE INTELLIGENCE MINISTRY AND THE REMOVAL OF MR. 
DORI-NAJAFABADI.  THE MINISTRY IS DOMINATED BY CONSERVATIVE 
HARDLINERS WHO OPPOSE THE REFORMIST POLICY SUPPORTED BY PRESIDENT
KHATAMI. 

THE REPLACEMENT OF THE INTELLIGENCE MINISTER IS LIKELY TO BE 
VIEWED AS A VICTORY FOR IRANIAN MODERATES WHO HAVE BEEN LOCKED IN
A POWER STRUGGLE WITH CONSERVATIVE HARDLINERS SINCE PRESIDENT 
KHATAMI WON A LANDSLIDE VICTORY MORE THAN A YEAR AGO.  (SIGNED) 

NEB/RHE/JWH/KL

09-Feb-99 6:50 AM EST (1150 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.