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| Axis of Evil |
| Iranian conservative demands reformists root out secularists |
| 2002-09-10 |
| A prominent Iranian conservative leader called for his reformist rivals to root out "secular elements", just days after he was asked to cooperate on political reforms. "We can cooperate with you to find common views to defend the pure Islam and fight against secularism," hardline conservative leader Habibollah Asgaroladi wrote in a letter carried by the Iran newspaper on Tuesday. His letter laying down terms as addressed to President Mohammad Khatami's brother, Mohammad-Reza Khatami, who heads the moderate Islamic Iran Participation Front (IIPF). "We probably have the smallest differences with you in economic matters and we can reach common solutions to economic problems, including unemployment and anti-corruption campaign," wrote Asgaroladi, who heads a powerful conservative political grouping. "We could get along, if it wasn't for those damned secularists, always wanting to keep good, honest religion from meddling in their lives, always complaining whenever we cut anybody's head off..." Just days earlier, the IIPF leader had written to Asgaroladi requesting he cooperate with reformist plans to stage a referendum on boosting presidential powers that are currently limited by conservative-dominated institutions. Asgaroladi said he would reply to the request in full at a later date. "Yeah. Right. I'll get back to you on that..." |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |