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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Khatami wants guaranteed executive powers |
| 2008-10-05 |
| The former Iranian president Seyyed Mohammad Khatami says he needs assurance of his executive powers before running for presidency. Khatami said Saturday 'reaching a compromise with the Iranian nation for their requests' and 'receiving assurance for the implementation of his plans' are his two preconditions for running for president in Iran's 10th presidential election scheduled for 2009. With the country's presidential election nearing, the former Iranian president has recently become an outspoken critic of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's administration. Khatami has criticized the 'aggressive' policies of the current administration, arguing that such policies provide grounds for the enemy to justify its acts against the country. "Aggressive and blistering rhetoric plays into the hands of the enemy, harming the country and the system," Kargozaran newspaper quoted Khatami as saying in September. While there has been widespread speculation that Khatami may run for office in 2009, the former Iranian president has yet to announce his final decision on the issue. In a new move, Khatami questioned the executive powers of presidents in Iran, saying that the current circumstances prevent the president from implementing his decisions. "If there is no possibility of executing new policies and various obstacles are put in the way [of the president], introducing even the best of plans would only mean deceiving the nation," said Khatami. The former Iranian president said he was not concerned about the outcome of next year's election but added that he does not seek power at any cost. Earlier in September, Khatami whose presidency extended from 1997 to 2005 and ran on the reformist platform called on his camp to prepare for a strong reappearance in the country's political arena. Iran's 10th presidential election is scheduled to take place on June 12, 2009. |
| Posted by:Fred |