Iran to complain about U.S.-radio at the Hague tribunal

Iran will protest to the International Court of Justice at the Hague and other global bodies about the U.S.-funded Radio Free Europe, the Iran Daily reported Monday.

It quoted Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi as saying the radio ``was set up to interfere in Iran's internal affairs.''

It did not say when the complaints will be filed. The English-language daily also did not say which organizations Iran will approach besides the ICJ in the Netherlands.

On Tuesday, Iran recalled its ambassador from Prague to protest the Czech government's assistance to the radio and said it would reduce the level of its economic and political cooperation with Prague.

The American-sponsored station also began broadcasts directed to Iraq on Friday. In a trial period of several weeks, the station will broadcast one 30-minute program a day to Iran and Iraq.

The Farsi-language service to Iran was approved by the Czech government in August.

Radio Free Europe began transmitting from Munich, Germany, in 1951, spreading uncensored news to Soviet-controlled countries behind the Iron Curtain during the Cold War between the West and the Communist East.

It moved its headquarters to Prague in 1995 following the collapse of communism six years earlier.