‘Prescription’ Rooted in Islamic Law : Iran Still Pressing for Rushdie’s Death

MOSCOW —  Iranian Parliament Speaker Hashemi Rafsanjani said today that a death sentence pronounced by the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini on British author Salman Rushdie for his novel “The Satanic Verses” cannot be reversed.

Rafsanjani, expected to become the dominant figure in Iranian politics next month, said at a Moscow news conference that the “prescription” in the Rushdie case could not be annulled.

Rafsanjani, who has had two days of talks with Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev, was asked if Iran might change its stand on the author.

“The West does not understand this question. What Iran said was according to the Shariat (Islamic law),” Rafsanjani replied.

“It was a prescription according to the Shariat and not a personal opinion, and the entire Islamic world, in spite of some differences, is united in one voice in approving that prescription.

“It is not the sort of prescription that can be taken back. We cannot in the name of God take back that prescription. There is no one in Iran who would want to or could take back that prescription.”

On other issues, Rafsanjani:

--Accused the United States of unspecified “plots and conspiracies” against Iran when asked about the possibility that relations would improve after Khomeini’s death.

--Said Afghans must be free to resolve their differences without outside interference after the withdrawal of Soviet soldiers from their country more than four months ago.

Rafsanjani originally was expected to leave today but extended his visit. Tass press agency reported that he left for Leningrad after the news conference.

The Soviet Union and Iran earlier pledged to boost long-term economic cooperation in a series of accords that could also lead to major sales of arms by Moscow to Tehran.

Rafsanjani said at the news conference at the Soviet Foreign Ministry’s press center that Iran wants good relations with all the countries around it, with the exception of Israel and the Afghan Republic.