Abstract

The Ayatollahs and the Bear

The article presents information about the political activities taking place in the Soviet Union and Iran. Early in September, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Ali Mohammed Besharati, revealed that U.S. President George Bush had sent several letters addressed to "The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran" through the Swiss Embassy in Teheran, the most recent one in mid-August. Judging by its timing, that epistle was primarily concerned with the Western hostage crisis in Lebanon. The recent strengthening of ties between Teheran and Moscow, say most observers. The dreadful scenario of the commissar and the mullah joining hands to strangle the pro-American oil sheiks of the Arabian Peninsula seems to be materializing - so fear many of the strategic planners in the Pentagon and the State Department.