A representative of the Foundation for Iranian Studies in Bethesda, Maryland could not confirm whether a newspaper called Omid was published in Tehran before June 1995 (15 May 1996). The source added that there had been an article allegedly written by Ahmed Khomeini, the son of the Ayatollah Khomeini, but it was probably 'forged' since Ahmed Khomeini was seeking to succeed his father's regime and would have been unlikely to criticize it (ibid.). The source added that the article blamed Iran's policies toward the United States for it internal difficulties (ibid.). Shortly after publication of the article Ahmed Khomeini was murdered, allegedly for having written the article (ibid.). The source added that it was not clear whether the newspaper was closed as a result of the publishing of the article (ibid.).

For a reference to the newspaper Omid and an article by Ahmed Khomeini, please see the attached article from The Independent of 5 June 1995.

A representative of the London-based Kayhan added that Omid was one of the several Iranian newspapers that published the letter by Ahmed Khomeini, and that it was closed down shortly thereafter (16 May 1996). The source added that the publishers of Omid encountered criticisms from the Iranian press of which Kayhan, not to be confused with the London Kayhan, but that the newspaper's publisher had not disappeared (ibid.). According to the same source a newspaper called Daneshjou Basiji (roughly translated by the source as Young Student Recruits) also published Ahmed Khomeini's letter and that it was closed down in early 1995 and its publishers brought to court on charges (ibid.). The source further added that within the past two to three weeks the same publishers have launched a newspaper in Iran called Payam Daneshjou or Students' Message (ibid.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Foundation for Iranian Studies, Bethesdam, Md. 15 May 1996. Telephone interview with representative.

Kayhan Publishing Inc., London, UK. 16 May 1996. Telephone interview with representative.

The Independent [London]. 5 June 1995. Robert Fisk. "Love the Revolution, Shame About Reality; Iran's Public Enemy Number One is No Longer Salman Rushdie or Even that 'Great Satan', America. Now the Battle is with Inflation and Corruption." (NEXIS)