And every Western correspondent knows the risks of accepting even an official invitation to Iran, with its hostile regime of feuding clerical rulers.

Since seizing power in 1979, Iran's clerical rulers have executed tens of thousands, and made life miserable for 350,000 followers of the Bahai faith.

They claim that this provisional constitution for the Islamic Republic did not include the post of supreme Islamic clerical ruler.

Iran's clerical rulers have approved a secret blueprint for the persecution of the Bahai faith that is appalling evidence of growing intolerance.

Mr. Bush has harshly criticized Iran's clerical rulers and, in the past, even suggested that he favored a change of government.

Hence the only clear winner is Iran, whose crafty clerical rulers thus refined their skill in manipulating democratic elections.

It was governed by clerical rulers in contrast to other town quarters.

Iran's clerical rulers are tough and ruthless and have a monopoly of power.

Some Iranian newspapers avoided mentioning the character, presumably to avoid offending Iran's clerical rulers.

It is because millions of Iranians have refused to be hostages of their clerical rulers.