Iran protest as reformists blocked
January 11, 2004
CNN
TEHRAN, Iran -- Iranian reformists walked out of parliament while others staged a sit-in to protest over the conservatives' rejection of election candidates.
Exactly how many of the 8,200 hopefuls for February's legislative elections have been barred was unclear on Sunday. However, initial results from several provinces carried by the official IRNA news agency indicated it was between 50 and 60 percent, Reuters said.
Among those disqualified by a conservative watchdog group was a brother of President Mohammad Khatami and head of the Islamic Iran Participation Front -- the Islamic republic's largest pro-reform party.
Parliament members say about 900 of the 1,700 hopefuls for seats in Tehran have also been disqualified from running.
"We are holding a sit-in inside the parliament building to protest the illegal decision of the Guardian Council to disqualify prominent reformers who have resisted hard-line dictatorship," reformist lawmaker Reza Yousefian, one of those disqualified, told The Associated Press.
Also disqualified were reformist lawmakers Fatemeh Haqiqatjou and Elaheh Koulaee, who fought for women's rights.
"It's meaningless that qualification of prominent figures who have worked for the nation for years is not approved," AP quoted President Khatami as saying. "I'm against such disqualifications. There are legal ways to fight."
He vowed a "harsh reaction" if legal channels failed to change the council's decision.
http://edition.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/01/11/iran.walkout/What do you suppose the students are going to do with this? This may just be a perfect opportunity.
He vowed a "harsh reaction" if legal channels failed to change the council's decision. Giving Khamenei the Complete Ceaucescu would not be too harsh.
Anything less would be a placebo.
And one last time: Ronald Reagan is a conservative; Khamenei is a fascist.