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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Ahmadinejad gets on wrong side of allies with VP pick |
| 2009-07-19 |
| Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's choice of vice president has met with a hail of criticism, provoking calls from his Principlist supporters for the resignation of the newly appointed veep. As part of anticipated changes in the structure of his new government, President Ahmadinejad appointed his close confidant Esfandiar Rahim-Mashaei to the post of vice president Thursday night. Rahim-Mashaei, who has served as the head of the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization, will replace the incumbent first vice president Parviz Davoudi. New first vice president Rahim-Mashaie stirred up fierce controversy after saying earlier in 2008 that despite the conflict between governments, Iranians are friends with the Israeli people. "Today, Iran is friends with the American and Israeli people," Rahim-Mashaei was quoted by Fars News Agency as saying. "No nation in the world is our enemy." Following the remarks, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei was quick to react at the Friday prayers by saying, "Who are the Israelis? They are responsible for usurping houses, territory, farmlands and businesses. They are fighters at the disposal of Zionist operatives." "The Iranian nation has nothing against Jews, Christians or followers of faith. However, it is mistaken to say that we are friends with the people of Israel in the same manner as we are friends with other people around the world," Ayatollah Khamenei said. Rahim-Mashaei later distanced himself from his earlier stance, saying that his comments had been misinterpreted. The Islamic Society of Students Union on Saturday issued a letter to Rahim-Mashaei calling for his resignation. The union said Ahmadinejad supporters have already borne the burden of much insult against the president in the aftermath of the 10th presidential election. Iran turned into a scene of opposition rallies after the re-election of President Ahmadinejad -- with nearly two-thirds of the vote -- with defeated candidates Mehdi Karroubi and Mir-Hossein Mousavi reject the election results as fraudulent. "It is in the interest of the Principlist movement that you resign from the post of vice president," read the letter. The student union added that the issue of "Iran's friendship with Israeli people" would provoke a divide in the structure of the 10th government. The union also warned Rahim-Mashaei of the serious consequences of his appointment as vice president, saying, "This position comes at a high price for you." In separate remarks, Hojjatoleslam Hamid Rasaei, a ninth administration insider and a Principlist member of the 8th Majlis, said, "It would have been much better if this appointment had not been made." Hojjatoleslam Rasaei said, "The public opinion has grown sensitive toward Mr. Mashaei", adding, "It would be much better if Mr. Ahmadinejad paid more attention to public opinion and Majlis before making appointments." A senior member of Jame-e Mmodarresin-e Qom (the Qom Seminary Teachers Association) Hojjatoleslam Seyyed Mohammad Gharavi, for his part, criticized the decision by President Ahmadinejad describing it as "inappropriate." "Many of those concerned are worried about [the consequences] of this appointment," Hojjatoleslam Gharavi said. President Ahmadinejad earlier talked of plans to make "considerable changes" in his government and pledged that his new cabinet, to be unveiled in the coming weeks, would be "10 times" more powerful than the previous one. In his first televised speech after re-election, Ahmadinejad said the changes were aimed at meeting the needs of his second presidential term. Hojjatoleslam Rasaei said Mashaei's promotion to the post of vice president does not agree with public opinion, adding, "Even many of Mr. Ahmadinejad's supporters [inside his government] are in some way opposed to this appointment." He added that it would be much advised that the president made the new appointment after his inauguration for his second term in office. The move by the Iranian president for cabinet reshuffles comes as Iranian opposition figures Mir-Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi continue to demand a re-run of the presidential election. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #2 Joe Biden, who has served as the head of the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization. |
| Posted by: Skunky Glins 5*** 2009-07-19 20:27 |
| #1 I won. |
| Posted by: Ahmadinejad 2009-07-19 06:39 |