FROM ONE POLE TO THE OTHER:

ntelligence ministry says detained pollsters not spies (AFP, November 13, 2002, IranMania.com)

Iran's powerful intelligence ministry has poured cold water on allegations that three detained opinion pollsters were working as spies, the Entekhab newspaper reported Wednesday.

"We cannot accept charges of spying and contacts with foreigners against the leaders of the polling institutes, and we have said so to the judiciary," Deputy Intelligence Minister Ali Bagherian was quoted as saying.

"The intelligence ministry has suggested to the judicary it was prepared to follow the case together with a prosecutor, but the judiciary has so far not replied," he added.

The three opinion pollsters were arrested and detained in a judicial backlash that followed the publication of a survey showing 74 percent of Iranians favoured resuming dialogue with the United States.

Looks like the people of Iran, and at least part of its intelligence services, want into the Axis of Good. Posted by Orrin Judd at November 13, 2002 3:44 PM