Second Oil Ministry Nominee, Quits

Maryam Kashani, Rooz Online:

Hardline president Ahmadinejad received another blow when his second nominee Sadegh Mahsouli for the influential Oil Ministry withdrew himself from the nomination because of the intense questioning he received from lawmakers and sectors of the public.

During his grilling by members of the Energy Committee of the Majlis (Iran's Parliament) two days ago, Mahsouli, a former Passdaran Revolutionary Guards Corps commander, not only acknowledged that he was basically a wheeler-dealer who made billions of Rials by remodeling houses or buying them at under-market prices and selling them with large margins, but even defended his activities by referencing quotes from ayatollah Khomeini. READ MORE

His remarks astounded even the right-wing newspaper Kayhan, in addition to those in the Majlis. He glorified his work by saying that ayatollah Khomeini had said he was against the “spirit of living in palaces, not actually living in them.” When the value of his properties was announced, it became very clear that this Passdar commander had billions of Rials of real property in housing, factories and companies scattered around the country. An amusing moment followed when he said that he was willing to “spend it all – meaning his wealth – for the ideals of the revolution." The remark brought back memories of similar references that Ahmadinejad had made during his elections campaign when he promised that if elected he would take “oil money to people’s homes and tables.”

Majlis deputies were so disgruntled with the credentials of the new nominee that they immediately requested the president to withdraw his name as a candidate. In their letter, they argued that rather than face a negative vote, they wanted to support the government and not allow the issue to be voted on which would further hurt the image and standing of the president. Gheysar Salehi, a Majlis deputy from Deer and Kangan province was tasked with collecting signatures for the letter. Cleric Ali Asghari, a deputy in the Majlis’ leadership group said the letter was sent in order to help the president. “If Mahsouli were elected,” he said “people would say a billionaire commander had been elected to lead the oil ministry, while if he were defeated people would say the government lacks solid support from the Majlis.” “Mahsouli’s large house is not in line with Ahmadinejad’s small house that was televised during his electioneering.”

But despite all the criticism, the president defended his nominee. Mohammad Azimi presidential deputy said “the president has chosen his nominees after a very detailed consideration and these accusations are mere rumors. No action would be taken regarding the nomination.” Other Majlis observers said that from what they knew of Ahmadinejad, he would not withdraw his candidate, as he has also never consulted them on finding suitable candidates in the first place.

Ultra conservative Kayhan newspaper wrote that while the nomination was not illegal, it did not fall in line with what the president had promised the Iranian nation in choosing high ranking officials.

Mahsouli was a former Passdaran Revolutionary Guards Corps commander who had a Master’s degree in business management, with stints in the government of Orumie town, West Azarbaijan province, and at the Ministry of Defense.