
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, March 22, 1992                   TAG: 9203220002
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NICOSIA, CYPRUS                                LENGTH: Short

IRAN THROWS OUT RED CROSS STAFF IN RIGHTS DISPUTE

The Tehran government, apparently angry over a U.N. report criticizing its human-rights record, on Saturday ordered the expulsion of all foreign Red Cross staff and froze the group's operations in Iran.

The move came days after Iran accused the humanitarian group of helping the United Nations compile a report on human rights this month.

In it, the U.N. Human Rights Commission cited torture of political prisoners and discrimination against religious minorities, and said Iran should be kept under special scrutiny.

The report was regarded as a further setback to President Hashemi Rafsanjani's drive to improve his country's international stature, mend fences with the West and lure back Iranian exiles who have the expertise the country needs for reconstruction.

In Geneva, Thomas Rudin of the International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed the expulsion order and said staff had been given a week to leave. He denied any inappropriate activities by Red Cross staff, and said the group hoped to negotiate to avoid a suspension of its activities in Iran.

by CNB