Monday, March 26, 2007
On Iran's ski slopes, few fret over nuclear crisis http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\03\26\story_26-3-2007_pg4_20
By Fredrik Dahl
The United States led calls for tougher penalties against Iran, but many on the ski slopes insisted they felt only friendship for the American people
IRAN may be facing deepening isolation over its nuclear programme, but on the mountain slopes north of Tehran skiers shrugged off suggestions of an escalating crisis.
Escaping the capital's smog and urban sprawl, well-off Iranians flocked to the country's main winter resort of Dizin for their new year holiday to enjoy near-perfect skiing conditions in one of the world's highest ski resorts.
"People are trying to have a good time. No, I'm not afraid," said Manouchehr Sepehri, 68, queuing for an old-looking lift taking skiers to pistes at up to 3,500 metres above sea level, still boasting plenty of snow at this time of year. The UN Security Council voted unanimously on Saturday to tighten sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme.
The United States led calls for tougher penalties against Iran, but many on the ski slopes insisted they felt only friendship for the American people. "I don't worry about it. I think there will be an agreement in the end. The mullahs (Iran's religious leaders) are very clever," said Kasra, a 32-year-old engineer, like many Iranians wary of giving his full name.
They were speaking before the news that Iran had detained 15 British navy personnel in the Gulf and ahead of Saturday's United Nations vote on new arms and financial penalties on the Islamic Republic.
New and old sanctions: Iran has lived under sanctions for many years - the United States introduced its Iran Sanctions Act in 1995 - and people holidaying in Dizin said there was no point fretting about something they could not influence.
The West suspects Iran's nuclear work is a cover for making atom bombs. Tehran denies the charge, saying it is aimed at generating electricity. Washington says it wants a diplomatic solution to the dispute but has not ruled out military options. Even though Iranian officials dismiss the impact of sanctions, economists say they are hurting the economy and deterring investors in the world's fourth largest oil exporter.
"People can't do anything, they must accept the situation," said one skier, like others using Western-made equipment and sun glasses. "They are happy, they are enjoying their holiday." Iranians celebrate their new year on March 21, with most people taking at last one week of holiday.
Many of those who can afford skiing in Dizin, a two-hour drive along a winding and scenic mountain road from Tehran, are relatively wealthy and outward-looking and their views may not be representative in the country of 70 million people.
Although cheap compared with the European Alps - a day of skiing including rental gear costs less than $40 - it is still a considerable expense in a country where many people earn the equivalent of just a few hundred dollars per month.
"It is very difficult for most people to come here," said one elderly but fit skier.
But those who do travel to Dizin can ski on some of the best slopes on offer in Iran and, some say, beyond.
The resort was built before the 1979 Islamic revolution and the lifts are several decades old. But there was no sign this winter of the warmer weather affecting European resorts.
"This is much better than I get back home in New Zealand," said Liam O'Boyle, who is travelling round the world. "The season in Europe was terrible so I headed here." reuters
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