ISRAEL: IRAN'S STANCE ON TERROR IS UNCHANGED
ISRAEL LINE MONDAY, MARCH 23, 1998

  Israeli security officials are convinced that there has not been any
change in Iran's support for terrorism, despite The New York Times article
on Saturday reporting that Iranian President Mohammed Khatami sent Clinton a
message vowing that Iran would no longer support terror groups opposing the
Middle East peace process, HA'ARETZ reported.
  "The message was intended to improve Iran's image in the West but does not
indicate a basic change in Teheran's policy on terrorism," one Israeli
security source said.
  The sources said Iran was continuing to substantially support a wide
variety of Middle East terrorist groups, including Hizbullah, Hamas and the
Islamic Jihad.  They noted that Iran is still providing the groups with
funds and military training, and continues to guide them in formulating
their political stances.
  Just recently, representatives of terror groups met in Teheran to receive
instruction from Iranian leaders, the sources said.  Furthermore, Iranian
military supplies to Hizbullah via Damascus are continuing as usual, and
Iranian trainers continue to work with Hizbullah forces in Lebanon's Bekaa
Valley, they added.
  "There has been no change in Iranian aid to terror groups since Khatami
was voted President," one source said. "Khatami himself has met with
Hizbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah and assiduously maintains contact with
leaders of terrorist groups.  Khatami is simply more talented
than his predecessors in presenting matters in a way that will sound better
to Western ears."