Submit your comments on this article | ||
Syria-Lebanon-Iran | ||
Iranian leaderâs fourth oil minister nominee given nod | ||
2005-12-12 | ||
The nomination marked a political retreat for Mr Ahmadi-Nejad, as Mr Vaziri-Hamaneh, caretaker minister for four months, is a ministry insider uneasy with the presidentâs populist slogan of fighting an âoil mafiaâ. Of 259 parliamentarians, 172 voted for Mr Vaziri-Hamaneh, with 53 against and 34 abstaining. Proponents argued that his 32 yearsâ experience in the ministry, mostly in senior management, combined with piety, which is important to Mr Ahmadi-Nejad, made him more suitable than previous nominees. In a speech to parliament, Mr Vaziri-Hamaneh supported using the Oil Stabilisation Fund, which absorbs windfall oil revenues, to develop oil and gas fields âspeedilyâ and so raise production. âIf we take over financial management [from oil majors] and use the OSF as the best way of investment, the countryâs industries will be revived and equipment can be built domestically,â he said. Speaking as Tehran remained enveloped in its heaviest traffic smog for years, he called for a reduction in energy consumption, which he said was 5.3 times the world per capita average.
Mr Vaziri-Hamaneh added it was ânot only the oil ministry which decides about projectsâ. But many deputies are convinced Mr Ahmadi-Nejad, who took a conciliatory tone yesterday when he promised to abide by parliamentâs decision, has no choice but to compromise. âItâs post-election and he should moderate his slogans,â said one conservative. | ||
Posted by:lotp |