Palm Cove News
Tropical North Queensland


APRIL 2007

 

Letters to Editor

OUR OWN SHAH

A most amazing sight greeted me last week on Captain Cook Highway. Just around the corner from Veivers Road a large sign proudly said Embassy of Persia. Welcome. Imperial Chamber.
Embassy? Persia? In Palm Cove? The former shopfront itself emblazoned Great Persia. The Imperial Chamber. Further investigation reveals that one Soltan Quemars Shah Qajar and his wife Adi Qajar have set up their own embassy on the self-styled King of Iran's claim to the Peacock Throne. Digging deeper, I discovered that Mr Qajar is absolutely no relative of the last Shah of Persia, Reza Pahlavi. Nor does he claim to be. Rather, his claim goes back much further - to King Soltan Ahmed Shah Qajar who reigned over Persia from 1909 to 1925. Reza Pahlavi was then instated as Shah of Persia.
So, Palm Cove's own mystery! Do we, or do we not have a resident Shah? Time will tell.

Jan Smark Nilssen, Terebra St.

Following Jan's letter we spoke to the royal couple at the embassy, formerly the coffee shop we wrote about in May last year. The interior has been painted a royal dark green; there are deep leather couches and middle eastern decor.
We found that 38 year-old Qeumars and his wife Adi had quite a story to tell. We can only repeat the saga.
"My mother was killed by terrorists in 1969 when I was a baby, and my father was killed later. I was secreted out of the country by loyal supporters to Europe and then Australia where I have been for 18 years undergoing much suffering.
"There is an Islamic Court death warrant on me in Australia and a $US10million price on my decapitated head.
"Several attempted assassinations have been made. One in 1993 at Hilton Hotel, Cairns by way of electrical wiring; A fourth assassination attempt was made on 10/6/02 when I was shot in the arm from a .22 rifle when on the balcony of a Cairns Esplanade apartment.
We asked, why Palm Cove?
"I am here primarily to promote peace and goodwill in the world. I wish to debate against fundamental terrorist organizations. There are a lot of international visitors who pass through or stay at Palm Cove, and we would like to answer any questions they might have," he said.
Are there many visitors?
"There have been a few mostly either in support of or in favour of terrorist organisations," he said.
We checked the internet. There was a Kadjar Family Association which claimed it represented the royal family of Iran.
In answer to our email, a Ferydoun Barjesteh said Soltan Qeumars was not known in the family.
"He claims to be a son of our late cousin Prince Fereydoun Mirza whose three children are all members of our association and who have never heard of this so-called brother. To us he is a false pretender," the email said.
When we showed Quemars the email, he said he was not surprised.
"The regime presently in Iran does not stop at torture, indiscriminate killing, deprivation of property, sexual assault, and all sorts of evil practice," he said.
"You can buy your freedom with silence. Just as Ferydoun Barjesteh, whom I do not know, says he is a cousin of my late father, so I say he very likely is not. The reason my siblings deny my existence is probably that it is in their best interests to do so.
"I have a copy of my father Fereydoun Mirza's will, properly registered by the Imperial Government of Iran and stamped on 20/1/75 that names me Soltan Qeumars as his son. It and its translation are here at the embassy for all to see together with birth certificates."
Soltan Qeumars says he is not trying to become King in Iran. He says the public, and only the public, could determine such a thing. He would, however, like the evil regime in that country to be replaced.
"I would like to be able to return to Iran but fear more innocent people could be killed if I did" he said.

Good to see the stand you are taking on hillslopes development. You are right : the only people who want them are the developers.
- Val Schier, mayor candidate for Cairns City Council for March 2008

TPC secretary wanted

TOURISM PALM COVE is in need of a secretary who will attend monthly meetings of the association and write minutes, etc.
Spokesperson Colleen Were said the position was voluntary. The successful applicant will become acquainted with the members - generally the owners or CEOs of Palm Cove's tourism establishments - and attend social functions.
Contact Jerry, 4059 1610.

GOLD RING FOUND

A LARGE WEDDING BAND was found in the water that runs down Caryota Close after the recent rains.
"If anyone wants to claim it, it is in safe keeping at the post office," Postmaster Glenn Warner said.

Drift now Grand Mercure

Drift, on the corner of the esplanade and Veivers Road, will now be called Grand Mercure Esplanade Rockford and will be the far north's first Grand Mercure hotel.
The property has had five name changes in seven years.
Firstly Ramada, then Courtyard by Marriott, followed by Clarion Resort, then Drift, and now Grand Mercure Esplanade Rockford.
After a $90million refurbishment, the resort has 129 rooms, beachfront condos, seven retail outlets, a huge pool, and three restaurants.
According to Indigo's group sales manager Ross Higgins, the resort is 80% sold. Indigo's other major project in Palm Cove, Oceans Edge, will have 55 allotments surrounding Novotel resort ready to be built on this month.
"We have already received expressions of interest on those lots," Mr Higgins said.

Yet another name change

OUTRIGGER PALM COVE, having been taken over by the Pepper organization, is now PEPPERS BEACH CLUB & SPA, says general manager Murray Worthington.

Published by Jerry Dukes
52 Terebra St
Palm Cove 4879 QLD
Ph 4059 1610 Fax 4059 0058
Email : info@palmcovenewsletter.com
On website : http://www.palmcovenewsletter.com

Palm Cove's Official Website: http://www.palmcove.net