Hardliners 'Make Iran Risk Fate Of Dictator'

he Telegraph (UK) ^ | 5-8-2003 | Robin Gedye

[blam]

Hardliners 'make Iran risk fate of dictator'

By Robin Gedye, Foreign Affairs Writer
(Filed: 08/05/2003)

Reformist Iranian MPs warned the country's powerful and entrenched clerics yesterday to give way to reforms and normalise relations with the outside world or suffer the fate of Saddam Hussein.

An open letter, signed by 153 deputies in the 290-seat Majlis and read out in the chamber, said Iran was in "a critical situation" and the ruling establishment risked losing the support of the people, who had overwhelmingly voted for reform.

The appeal reflected concerns in the region over the ease with which the coalition forces took Iraq and the dangers ahead if the appeal of democracy takes hold.

Iran, named as part of President George W Bush's "axis of evil", is particularly sensitive to popular frustrations following the failure of President Mohammad Khatami, re-elected in 2001 with 70 per cent of the vote, to deliver on his extensive reformist pledges.

"The majority of Iranians are waiting for reforms, but have reached the conclusion that their votes are meaningless," the MPs wrote in reference to a low turnout by disenchanted voters in February's municipal elections which dealt a severe blow to Mr Khatami's backers.

The letter pointed to the way "the Iraqi people stood by without any reaction during the occupation of their country" as a warning to Teheran to pay attention to the lessons of history.

"Following the installation of American forces in Afghanistan and the occupation of Iraq, the threat has arrived at our borders," it said.

The letter hinted that Iran's hardline clerics ignored the US presence at their peril.

[leadhead]

A wink is as good as a nod, as the Irish say.

Beware Clerics, youe time has passed.

[dwswager]

Like I said before, who cares about WMDs? It was worth it for the MESSAGE factor and Iran seems to be getting the message!

[samtheman]

This Iraq victory --- and the way it went down --- will turn out to be as big as the crumbling of the Berlin wall.

We don't need to find WMD to make it all worthwhile.

But we will.

The WMD are there.

[Faraday]

Do you suppose W will be able to add an Iran notch to his .45 before November of next year? I would say the chances are about 60-40. And it will only require an American stabilization force. The Iranians themselves will do the heavy lifting.

[Sonny M]

Fear shall place them in line.

[doug from upland]

The DemocRATS are not going to like to see George Bush get credit for the changes in the Middle East. Just imagine that people, most of whom have never enjoyed freedom, are going to be given what is the right of all man. Oh, well, I guess George Bush is a moron.

[walden]

"An open letter, signed by 153 deputies in the 290-seat Majlis and read out in the chamber, said Iran was in "a critical situation" and the ruling establishment risked losing the support of the people, who had overwhelmingly voted for reform. "

The Iraqi people overwhelmingly BOYCOTTED the election (turnout something like 12% or so) because they've despaired that true reform will ever happen. Now, they're ready for REVOLUTION! Yeah!

[freedom44]

Not the Iraqi people the Iranian people..

:)

[blam]

"Now, they're ready for REVOLUTION! Yeah! "

Yeah and the 4th ID is still in Iraq.

[Paul C. Jesup]

At least the Iranian MPs see the writing on the wall. They know that if things don't change, there maybe open rebellion.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

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