Iran reformist candidate launches radical agenda

Reuters:

Iran's leading reformist presidential candidate launched a radical platform on Wednesday, promising profound reviews of the Islamic state's political structure and of Tehran's relations with the United States.

Former Higher Education Minister Mostafa Moin's election manifesto went further than that of any of his seven rival candidates to challenge some of the biggest taboos in Iranian politics and appeared aimed at reviving interest among disillusioned voters. READ MORE

"The number of people who believe that this system can evolve is decreasing," said Mohammad Reza Khatami, brother of outgoing reformist President Mohammad Khatami and Moin's running mate in the campaign for the June 17 election.

"Many believe that this system cannot be changed from inside. Therefore the authority of unelected bodies should be defined," he said.

Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution led to the creation of a unique political system containing elements of Western-style democracy alongside a parallel unelected Islamic theocracy.

Thus, the elected president and executive is subordinate to the appointed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say on all state matters and control over foreign policy.

Similarly the elected parliament is shadowed by the Guardian Council, a panel of 12 unelected clerics and jurists who have the power to reject legislation deemed un-Islamic and veto election candidates they consider unfit for office.

The result, supporters say, is a truly Islamic democracy.

But critics say Iran's democracy is a facade and that the real power is wielded only by unelected clerics.

TWO POWER STRUCTURES

"In our country we have two power structures and preserving the democratic one is a major step toward establishing democracy," said Khatami.

Opinion polls place Moin, who was initially barred from standing by the Guardian Council then reinstated after Khamenei intervened, well behind front-runner Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani with about 10 percent support.

Moin's presence in the race as an outspoken reformer who has called for the release of political prisoners and vowed to tackle human rights abuses could sap support for Rafsanjani, who is attempting to portray himself as the only alternative to hardline conservatives.

"This tough manifesto is to mobilize voters to vote for Moin, as a reformist candidate," said an analyst, who asked not to be named.

Moin's camp also promised to press for dialogue with Washington to reverse more than 25 years of bad blood. Washington broke ties with Tehran in 1980 and accuses it of seeking nuclear arms and helping terrorists.

Iran denies the charges.

"The taboo of talks with Washington should be broken," said Khatami. "We have our eyes on ending the crisis and bringing about a positive change in relations between the two countries," Moin's manifesto said.

Such views stand in stark contrast to Khamenei's call on Iranians to elect an anti-Western president. Nevertheless, other candidates, including Rafsanjani, have also said they want better ties with the West.