Associated Press
TEHRAN, Iran — The suspect fits the following description: slim, curvaceous, perpetual smile, no head scarf. Goes by the name of Barbie.
Iranian police are combing the shelves for the perky ambassador of American culture. The doll’s uneasy sojourn in the Islamic country could be drawing to a close.
Agents have been confiscating Barbie from toy stores since a vague proclamation earlier this month denouncing the un-Islamic sensibilities of the idol of girls worldwide, shopkeepers said Tuesday.
"They took them all," said a toy seller whose shop window is plastered with the flower-shaped Barbie logo. "I have no idea if we’ll ever see Barbie back again."
"We’re all a little nervous," said a toy shop clerk who admitted employees stashed their Barbie stock after learning of the sweep.
It’s not the first time Barbie has run afoul of authorities. In 1996, the head of a government-backed children’s agency called Barbie a "Trojan horse" sneaking in Western influences such as makeup and revealing clothes.
Barbie is sold wearing swimsuits and miniskirts in a society where women must wear head scarves in public and men and women are not allowed to swim together.
In March, Iranian toy makers responded to Barbie with Sara, a moonfaced doll clad in an Islamic chador or traditional Iranian folk costumes. Her twin brother, Dara, is also the picture of Iranian propriety — a far cry from Barbie’s beefcake boyfriend Ken.
Barbie, made by Mattel Inc., is a best seller despite the cost: about 320,000 rials, or $40, in a nation where the average monthly salary is about $100. An Iranian-made Barbie knockoff is about $3. Sara and Dara go for about $15 each.
Copyright ©2002 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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