U.S. betting on major changes after election in Iran
SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Friday, February 18, 2000
WASHINGTON -- The United States expects parliamentary elections in
Iran to prompt a series of changes in the Islamic regime that could result
in a rapproachment with Washington.
Officials said they believe reformers aligned with President Mohammed
Khatami will win a majority of seats in the parliament. Elections are
scheduled for Friday.
Such a result, they said, would lead to a decision by Teheran to begin a
dialogue with Washington and decide on changes that would lead to closer
relations between the two countries. The officials said should the reformers
sweep the elections, the conservative Islamic clergy would have its powers
reduced.
On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said the United
States is closely watching developments in Iran. She expressed confidence
that Khatami supporters would win.
"Iran is a country and a society that is in some flux," Ms. Albright
told the House International Relations Committee. "We continue to follow and
be intrigued by the moves of some of the reformers and President Khatami and
how he is dealing with what is clearly an upsurge in support for his kind of
approach, which is being supported by their middle-class younger people
[and] women. So we are watching that."
Ms. Albright said she was limited in what she could say about the
election, pointing out that enemies of Khatami use American statements in
charging that the United States is interfering in the Islamic republic. "I
hesitate to comment too actively until we see the results of these
elections," she said. "It could have a large influence on the way things
go."
The secretary said U.S. efforts for closer relations with Iran are
blocked by Teheran's opposition to the Middle East peace process, its
support for terrorist groups, and its missile and nonconventional weapons
programs.
In Teheran, Khatami urged his followers to flock to the polls. "By these
votes you can give the most help to the president," he said. "This election
will be the 21st election since the revolution and, God willing, it will be
the most significant one."
The English-language Iran Daily agreed. In an editorial on Thursday, the
newspaper predicted that the elections will redefine Iranian politics,
economy and culture.
"The first Iranian election on the dawn of the third millennium will not
only bear a message of peace, friendship and global cooperation, but it
would also show the Iranians' readiness for dialogue among civilization,"
the newspaper said. "Foreign countries will consider their future diplomatic
relations with Iran by studying the breakdown of the votes."
Friday, February 18, 2000
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