Posted on 12/12/2007 5:58:55 AM PST by nuconvert
Former Iranian president publicly assails Ahmadinejad
By Nazila Fathi
Wednesday, December 12, 2007 TEHRAN: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's policies were attacked Tuesday at Tehran's major university in an unusual speech by his predecessor, who warned that political suppression, questionable economic policies and defiance on the nuclear issue were leading Iranians in the wrong direction.
The speech, by Mohammad Khatami, attracted more than 1,000 students at Tehran University, which has been a center of vocal protest against Ahmadinejad, who was elected in 2005.
Khatami's criticism of Ahmadinejad has long been known. But his public denunciation of Ahmadinejad's policies was unusual because of its high visibility at a site of youthful dissent.
Khatami condemned the political and social crackdown against activists since Ahmadinejad's election and criticized the president's plans for strengthening Iran's economy, the ISNA news agency reported.
In what appeared to be a comparison with the current suppression of students, Khatami talked about how the crackdown on student activists before the 1979 Islamic revolution radicalized the students and led to the overthrow of the shah. "There was a time that I remember Islamic and non-Islamic movements turned to behaviors that had high costs for society and the regime," he said.
In another part of his speech, referring to the jailing of more than 30 students in recent months, he said, "Dealing with students in such a manner is not good for society or the regime."
About 1,500 students at Tehran University demonstrated against Ahmadinejad on Sunday. Students also protested in September when Ahmadinejad made an appearance at the university.
(Excerpt) Read more at iht.com ...
What BS! The worst crackdown on students in recent history occurred during Khatami's first term as president in July 1999. (18 Tir) Students were beaten, arrested and thrown out of dormitory windows.
This is more of the "Good cop, Bad cop" game that the regime plays on Iranians and the world.
It sickening that an Iranian would report this speech without referencing the student uprising & infamous crackdown of 1999.
You can watch a very moving flash video of that event here...
http://www.democracyforiran.de/Iran_Eng_HQ.html
I wish someone in the media would interview Mahmood again and ask him this:
“Mr. President, you said you feel vindicated by the NIE report stating that your nuclear weapons program was shut down in 2003.”
“Yes, that’s right. Praise Allah, Bush lied. We’ve had no program since that time, confirmed by his own people.”
“But Mr. President, for the last couple of years you’ve been denying you’ve had a nuclear program at all.”
...slight pause...
“DEATH TO AMERICA!”
pong
Defenestration of students is part of the graduation ceremony. We should try it here more often.
pong
You talked about the crackdown when Khatami was President. One must remember that the President is really just a figure head in Iran. The crackdowns are controlled by the Mullahs who really run the country. The Iranian Republican Guard, the Army and anything of consequence is controlled by them. The only way Iran is ever going to change is to overthrow the ruling Mullahs.
” The crackdowns are controlled by the Mullahs who really run the country”
Of course. And Khatamti knows that. So for him to blame Ahmadinejad for crackdowns & mistreatment of students is an absurd LIE.
That’s why I said, “Don’t be Fooled”
This is ‘Good cop’/Khatami vs bad cop/Ahmadinejad, as I said.
The fella' in the background is the "reformist" Khatami.
Nice
A couple of more points:
1) Khatami would not have been able to give the mentioned very public speech without the prior approval of or a "nod" from Khamenei (supreme Mullah leader). Khamenei, in addition to his other responsibilities as the "supreme evilness", is quite adept at ever balancing various IR factions.
2) Remember that there is an upcoming election in March 2008. Khatami and Rafsanjani (apparently as a coalition) are trying to make a comeback against Ahmadinejad's Radical faction.
You may be interested in reading this IR Politics and Political Factions
bttt
“Ahmadinejad is harmless” bump
Gad, I love that turn-of-a-phrase! Thanks, MONK! ........................ FRegards
bumpers !!!! Thanks!
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