NICOSIA [MENL] -- Tension is rising in Iran as the Islamic regime has banned
70 reformers aligned with President Mohammed Khatami from running in next
month's elections for parliament.
The Council of Guardians, which is dominated by the ruling clergy, has
banned Abdullah Nouri and other reformers. Nouri, a former interior
minister, is serving a five-year sentence for publishing blasphemy. The
council will end its work on Friday.
Critics of the regime said the council, which screens candidates to
ensure that they follow Islamic principles, fears that Khatami supporters
will sweep the Feb. 13 elections. Nouri was expected to be the top
vote-getter.
On Monday, the Iran News warned in an editorial of fresh unrest in the
wake of the council's campaign to prevent reformers from running for
parliament. "Elimination of well-known politicians from various groups, men
and women who represent group thoughts and policies, could well turn
partisan differences into a national crisis," the newspaper said.
The daily, with links to Khatami, said most of the candidates rejected
have "exemplary revolutionary credentials" and were not implicated in any
scandal.
"Considering the above, the natural conclusion is that the
disqualification of such nominees were based on their thoughts and political
philosophies rather than their past performance in office or the way they
conduct their private lives," Iran News said.
Iranian authorities have warned against any attempt to increase tension
prior to parliamentary elections. Last week, thousands of residents, most of
them migrants, of a suburb southwest of Teheran rioted and attacked a police
station and government offices. They were protesting living conditions.
Other riots were reported in Tabriz. Reports from the city said Iranian
authorities shot at ethnic Azeri demonstrators.
