Ex-Leader of Iran Announces Candidacy

[Lithos]

Source: NY Times

TEHRAN — Ending months of speculation, former President Mohammad Khatami, who favored détente with the West and more social and political freedom in Iran, said Sunday that he would run in presidential elections in June.
Skip to next paragraph
Related
Times Topics: Mohammad Khatami

Mr. Khatami announced his decision at a news conference in Tehran, after having repeatedly hinted that he might run. “I never had any doubts,” he said. “Is it possible to be indifferent?”

Mr. Khatami, who has a broad base of support, would pose a serious challenge to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whose aides have said he will seek re-election. “The Iranian nation’s historical demand is to have freedom, independence and justice, and I will work for that,” Mr. Khatami said Sunday.

His declaration came as Iran prepares to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution this week.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/09/world/middleeast/09iran.html?ref=middleeast

---

Good news for Iran if he wins. I think had McCain been in office, there is no way a moderate would have dared enter the race.

[MrModerate]

1. But last time Khatami was in office . . .

He was rendered irrelevant by the Mullahs. Has there been some substantial change?

[karynnj]

11. The position of President is not powerful, not then and not now

The problem is that whan the current President speaks, it is seen as a reason to consider Iran as super dangerous - rather than just dangerous. Khatomi and the pro-democracy people are the best for us in Iran. (Which is why it was weird when Fox tried to make an issue of Kerry being on a Davos panel with him in 2006)

[MrModerate]

12. But, despite the weak presidency, Ahmadinejad has appeared on the world stage . . .

as a very powerful leader -- and been treated as such. Khatami never did that. Is Ahmadinejad the more charismatic face of the Mullahs? (I'm afraid I've forgotten the name of the entity where they sit.)

[karynnj]

13. Others have posted that he is out of favor with them

My cynical explanation is that some countries that are opposed to Iran have treated Ahmadinejad as more important than he is because he makes Iran look bad. I don't think the responsibilities of the job have changed.

[rpannier]

14. Yes

Last fall the Grand Ayatollah appointed one of Ahmadinejad's opponents to a position within the Supreme Council.
It was/is believed by many to signal a serious rift between the Grand Ayatollah and Mr. Ahmadinejad

[Idealism]

2. Ahmadinejad's day is done, me thinks

His approval ratings are way down. He had to make budget cuts due to the global downturn and especially from oil prices tanking. I hope he won't win re-election!

[MrPerson]

3. Khatami is too soft on the Great Satan.

He was caught not wearing an Iranian Flag pin on Death to America Day.

Wussy.

[bemildred]

4. Excellent.

Time to give Ahm-an-idjit his walking papers.

[Ernesto]

5. Khatami wasn't that bad of an actor......

Too bad chimp's "axis of evil" speech finished him off and thus, started nuc programs in both Iran & N. Korea.
Thanks again chimp!

[davidinalameda]

6. I thought that the nuke program had been going on for a while

in Iran even before Bush opened his mouth

it's my understanding that the program was started when the shah was still in power and he was our bitch

[Alamuti Lotus]

8. Yes, Bushehr (initial nuclear program site) was begun in 1975

Joint project from American & West German contractors with full government approval. The revolution that toppled the dictator and disrupted the nest of spies abruptly stopped the development in 1979; it was later resumed with Russian assistance.

[Alamuti Lotus]

7. Dr. Ali Larijani is more likely, but we'll see

[Lithos]

9. I think he is a less inflammatory version of Ahmadinejad

And from what I can see, less iconic, though I freely admit that is more of a Western Democracy trait.

L-

[Alamuti Lotus]

10. Actually I just noticed that he has declined to run

Dr. Larijani is completely in line with the guiding principles of the Islamic Revolution and Imam Khumayni, but as you say far less inflammatory. His strength right now is skillfully coordinating Iran's complicated foreign policy in the region, which was particularly on display in Iraq and during the most recent Israeli assault on Gaza. It is odd that he has elected not to run, as he is favoured most by Sayyid Khamanei at the moment. I suppose he is not a very public figure, he is more useful working as Speaker of Parliament and his other duties rather than as a figurehead.

Of the candidates currently announced or potentials, I don't see any major players (Ahmadinejad has lost favour with Khamanei and is unlikely). Thankfully the corporate puppet Rafsanjani is ineligible (too old for that particular office), never liked him. Karroubi could possibly make it, but I suspect Khatami has just stolen whatever buzz he might have had. The current mayor of Tehran (Ghalibaf) is quite popular and also claims Khamenei's favour, but hasn't formally announced. I don't think Rowhani has announced anything yet, but would also be very possible.

[jzodda]

15. Good luck Khatami

They will surely try anything they can to prevent him from winning. He would most certainly win in a free and fair election, if that is what takes place.

[EFerrari]

16. It would be a good thing for Iran. Good luck, Iran!