February 2004
The National Budget Law Approved
The Iranian parliament approved the national budget for 1383 (2004) at over 100 billion tomans, focusing on increased borrowing, foreign trade liberalization, and healthcare expansion.…
President Jean-Bertrand Aristide Leaves Haiti - 2004-02-29
President Jean-Bertrand Aristide has left Haiti amid armed uprising and international pressure to resign. He is reportedly heading to the Dominican Republic and seeking asylum…
Los Angeles Report: Opinions of Various Writers and Researchers on the Parliamentary Elections - 2004-02-27
The article presents opinions from various writers and researchers about the upcoming parliamentary elections in Iran. This discussion is significant as it reflects the political…
Life and Progress in America: The History of Black People in Boston - 2004-02-25
The article discusses the historical struggles of Black Americans with a specific emphasis on Boston's role in these movements. It highlights the significance of Boston…
A Man Hanged for Child Sexual Abuse in Southern Iran
A man named Mohammad Ali Firoozi was hanged in Marvdasht, southern Iran, after being convicted of child sexual abuse. He received multiple death sentences and…
Report Shahid: Reflection of Iran's Foreign Policies in Europe - 2004-02-23
The article discusses the analysis of Iran's foreign policies in Europe following recent elections. It highlights the implications of these policies and their reception in…
Islamic Republic: We Purchased Necessary Parts for Nuclear Program from South Asian Brokers - 2004-02-22
Iran admitted to sourcing some components for its nuclear program from South Asian brokers but did not confirm any links to a Pakistani nuclear transfer…
Tony Blair to Compete for Third Term as Prime Minister - 2004-02-22
Tony Blair has declared his intention to run for a third term as Prime Minister of Britain, emphasizing that the decision of his re-election lies…
Islamic Consultative Assembly Elections and German Media: Nasrin Mahdavi - 2004-02-21
The article examines the German media's portrayal of the Islamic Consultative Assembly elections in Iran, highlighting the international scrutiny of Iran's political processes. It emphasizes…
Political Activists Told VOA Persian That Many Polling Stations in Major Cities Were Almost Empty - 2004-02-20
Voting for the Islamic Consultative Assembly is ongoing in Iran amid widespread disqualification of reformist candidates, leading to calls for a boycott. Despite reports of…
New Tactic by the Islamic Republic to Secure Votes from Students!
Iranian officials are implementing a new strategy to boost voter turnout among students by offering to increase their discipline grades for participating in the elections.…
Death Toll from Iran Freight Train Accident Continues to Rise
A freight train explosion in Iran has resulted in at least 320 deaths and over 460 injuries, with the toll expected to rise as more…
Increase in Casualties from Freight Train Incident in Khorasan Province - 2004-02-19
A freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed and exploded in Khorasan Province, resulting in at least 182 deaths, primarily among emergency responders. The incident was…
Over 200 Dead in Train Explosion in Iran - 2004-02-18
A train carrying fuel and chemicals derailed and exploded in Khorasan province, resulting in over 200 deaths and hundreds of injuries, primarily among firefighters. The…
Two Baha'is Released from Iranian Prisons After 15 Years
Two Baha'i members, Bahram Misaqhi and Keyvan Khalaj Abadi, have been released from Iranian prisons after 15 years due to their religious beliefs. Their release…
Aghajari: Unfree Elections Mark the End of Internal Developments in the Regime
Dr. Hashem Aghajari, a political prisoner, has called on Iranians to boycott upcoming elections in an open letter from prison. His statement highlights the lack…
Registration of Seven Afghan Widows to Join the Police Force
Seven Afghan widows have registered to join the police force, marking a significant step for women's participation in law enforcement in Afghanistan. This initiative, supported…
Protests in Haiti - February 16, 2004
Protests in Haiti have escalated with around a thousand demonstrators in Port-au-Prince calling for President Aristide's resignation. Armed groups have taken control of Gonaïves, leading…
Interview with Dr. Asad Homayoun Regarding the Nuclear Activities of the Islamic Republic - 2004-02-15
Iraj Aryanpour interviews Dr. Asad Homayoun about Iran's nuclear activities and ambitions. This discussion sheds light on Iran's nuclear program and its implications for international…
Former Police Chief and Militants Declare Support for Armed Uprising of Haitian People - 2004-02-15
Former police chief Guy Philippe and militia leader Louis Jodel Chamblain have expressed their support for an armed uprising against President Aristide in Haiti. The…
Kamal Kharrazi: Iran Capable of Producing Nuclear Fuel
Kamal Kharrazi announced that Iran can produce nuclear fuel and is prepared to enter the international market with it. He emphasized Iran's commitment to cooperating…
Andy Roddick and Andre Agassi in the Quarterfinals of the Siebel Open - 2004-02-13
Andy Roddick and Andre Agassi both advanced to the quarterfinals of the Siebel Open tennis tournament in California. Agassi defeated Wesley Moodie, while Roddick overcame…
The U.S. Has No Doubts About Tehran's Final Intentions in Producing Nuclear Weapons
The U.S. is convinced that Iran is still attempting to develop nuclear weapons, as stated by Deputy Secretary of State John Bolton. This assertion comes…
The Electoral Campaign for Parliamentary Candidates in Iran Has Officially Begun
The electoral campaign for parliamentary candidates in Iran has begun, with many conservatives running and reformist candidates barred from participation. President Khatami warns that ignoring…
Findings of United Nations Weapons Inspectors in Iran - 2004-02-12
United Nations weapons inspectors discovered blueprints in Iran that could be used to create materials for an atomic bomb, which Iran did not disclose during…
Israeli Government Decides to Boycott Sessions on Security Barrier Construction - 2004-02-12
The Israeli government has chosen to boycott the International Court of Justice sessions regarding the legality of its security barrier in the West Bank, claiming…
Mexico Defeats U.S. Under-23 Soccer Team
Mexico defeated the U.S. under-23 soccer team 4-0, eliminating them from Olympic qualification for Athens. This victory ensured Mexico's participation in the Olympics while the…
Bill to Ban Religious Symbols in French Schools Approved
The French National Assembly has passed a bill banning religious symbols in public schools, including Islamic headscarves, with significant support. This legislation aims to reinforce…
Tony Blair Plans to Meet with Muammar Gaddafi, Leader of Libya - 2004-02-10
Tony Blair, the British Prime Minister, is looking to meet with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi for the first time in over 20 years. This meeting…
Deployment of Japan's First Ground Troops to a War Zone Since World War II - 2004-02-09
The Japanese parliament has approved the deployment of ground troops to Iraq, marking the first such action since World War II. This decision faced significant…
World Cup 2014 in Brazil?
Sepp Blatter announced that Brazil is likely to host the 2014 World Cup, coinciding with the centenary of its football federation. This decision is significant…
Former UN Weapons Expert Accuses Tony Blair of Exaggerating Iraq Threat
Hans Blix, a former UN weapons inspector, accused Tony Blair of exaggerating the threat from Iraq to justify the war. He highlighted the lack of…
Under the Microscope: The End of the Sit-in by Resigned Representatives and the Goals of Kamal Kharrazi's Trip to Lebanon - 2004-02-06
The sit-in by resigned Iranian parliament representatives has concluded, and Dr. Alireza Noori Zadeh analyzes the implications of this event alongside the goals of Foreign…
Kamal Kharrazi's Request to the German Government for the Search of Missing Islamic Republic Diplomats in Lebanon - 2004-02-06
Kamal Kharrazi, Iran's Foreign Minister, has asked Germany to help find missing Iranian diplomats in Lebanon. This situation reflects ongoing regional tensions and Iran's focus…
Report by Shahid: End of Sit-in and Political Fasting of Protest Representatives
Protesting representatives in the Iranian Parliament have ended their sit-in and political fasting. This event is reported by Mohammad Reza Shahid and highlights the ongoing…
The Sit-In Protest of Representatives, Mohsen Younesi - 2004-02-05
After the disqualification of a significant number of parliament members, some representatives staged a sit-in and a political fast, questioning the motives behind their actions…
Protesters Disrupt Tony Blair's Speech in British Parliament - 2004-02-04
Protesters interrupted Prime Minister Tony Blair during a parliamentary discussion about the Hutton report, which cleared the government of exaggerating Iraq's weapons threat. The incident…
Report by VOA Special Correspondent on Resignation of Members of Parliament - 2004-02-04
Several members of the Iranian Parliament have announced their collective resignation, highlighting potential political turmoil. This event is significant as it reflects ongoing discontent within…
Student March Against Disqualification of Candidates Banned on Wednesday
The Iranian authorities have banned a student march protesting the disqualification of reformist candidates. This decision comes amid ongoing discussions between reformist lawmakers and President…
Deployment of Japanese Soldiers for Humanitarian Mission in Iraq - 2004-02-03
Japan has deployed approximately 80 soldiers to Iraq for a humanitarian mission, marking the first such deployment since World War II. Despite public opposition, the…
Prohibition of Muslim Girls' Headscarves in France - 2004-02-02
The French National Assembly is set to discuss a bill that would ban religious symbols, including Muslim headscarves, in public schools. The bill is expected…
Independent Investigations in Britain Regarding Iraq's Weapons Information - 2004-02-02
Tony Blair has committed to addressing opposition demands for an independent investigation into pre-war intelligence on Iraq's weapons. This follows a judicial inquiry that exonerated…
UN Sends Equipment for Victims of Water Taxi Incident in Congo - 2004-02-01
A tragic fire on a water taxi in the Democratic Republic of Congo has resulted in approximately 200 people missing or dead, with around 500…