IRAN SEEKS TO DEVELOP C. ASIA DEFENSE

NICOSIA [MENL] -- Iran has sought to develop new military clients in CentralAsia in what marks another rivalry between the Islamic republic and theUnited States. Iranian officials said the Defense Ministry has launched a drive topersuade Muslim republics of the former Soviet Union to agree to defense andmilitary cooperation with Teheran. They said Iran has offered to help trainand modernize Central Asian militaries as well as promote joint industrialprojects.