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| Iran |
| Jordan Times - Khatamiâs silence signals official anger over prize win |
| 2003-10-13 |
| EFL Iranâs Hardline superiors - I thought he was the head of state. While Khatamiâs embattled government has congratulated Ebadi for her win â albeit after some initial confusion on how to digest the news â they have shown extreme caution in their references to a figure loathed by many powerful conservatives. And a last minute phonecall to verify that she slammed American in her acceptance speech - turned out to be a prerequisite for the award. In the past, it would have been hard to see Khatami not speak on such a prestigious prize win for an Iranian Muslim woman, who like him is a moderate espousing values such as human rights and dialogue. Wasnât there a Iranian/Canadian photographer with simular views? Ebadi has even stated that she was part of the wave of support behind Khatami that saw him win a landslide in 1997. But increasingly, Khatami appears to be torn between his deep ties to Iranâs complex power structure, and the frustration of many of his supporters who see him as failing to deliver his promise of âIslamic democracy.â Letâs see which country gets there first. His is a delicate path under the eye of conservatives â who wield more power than the president and his supporters in parliament through their control of the judiciary, legislative oversight bodies and security forces. That much has been illustrated by his delayed responses or prolonged silence on other key questions in recent months, such as anti-regime protests, widespread arrests of dissidents, students or journalists and an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) ultimatum over Iranâs suspect nuclear programme. The mandate of the reformist-controlled Majlis runs out early next year, and parliamentary elections are scheduled for February 20, 2004. Even the president, whose second and final term in office ends in 2005, has admitted that the run-up to the vote is âvery sensitive historical juncture.â Many analysts, however, have already written the president off. Na na na na, na na na na .... heeeey... good bye. |
| Posted by:Super Hose |
| #1 Yeah, I didn't think the Holy Men were too thrilled about this. |
| Posted by: tu3031 2003-10-13 1:23:45 PM |