A leading Iranian reformist leader has issued a stern warning to the country's rulers to stop blocking reforms.
Muhammad Reza Khatami, the Islamic Iran Participtation Front (IIPF) leader, issued the warning during a party congress on Thursday. The congress is taking place amid signs that voter frustration could deal the embattled reformist camp a serious defeat in upcoming elections. "Reformists are trying to prevent the present social movement from being transformed into a violent political revolt or into a scenario of an overthrow (of the government) from outside the country," he said.
| Sometimes it looks like that'll happen, but not usually... |
"We are confronted by two visions of the Islamic republic," Muhammad Reza, the brother of the Iranian president, said. He was referring to conservative-run courts and legislative oversight bodies who favour "power without limits" on one side, and "those who believe everything must be done in accordance with the law" — the reformists — on the other. "The reformist movement always respects the framework of the law and non-violence," he asserted.
| Which is why the guys who don't can beat the crap out of them at will. That's why when "reform" finally comes, it'll probably be bloody... |
He also hit out at the Islamic republic's powerful religious leaders for turning the burgeoning youth population away from their faith and country. "A great part of the youth are fleeing religion, in particular the social role of religion," the younger brother of the president said. "I say clearly that when people are fleeing religion and the Islamic republic, the reason is a violent and dictatorial interpretation of religion."
| Maybe they're sick and tired of living in a country where the mullahs dictate every aspect of life, to include how to take a leak. Individual liberty is a threat to that sort of thing. |
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