I am still the iron lady of reformism: Kulaii

Q: You were known as the iron lady of reformism.

A: I am still the iron lady of reformism.

Q: Despite all the predictions about a low turnout before the poll, Iranians turned out massively for the election. Why did so many people decide to vote?

A: Among the reasons, we can mention both the fact that Iranians are very emotional and also the endeavors made by the reformists to break the atmosphere of an election boycott.

Q: What was the most effective factor in convincing people to vote: the variety of candidates, the variety of election campaign political platforms, or the people’s economic problems?

A: All those reasons were effective in the election, but the variety of candidates played a significant role in attracting different strata of society to vote in the election.

Q: What were the influential social and political groups in the ninth presidential election?

A: Two social and political groups were effective in the election. The first group consisted of those who were seeking a (total) change, and the second group was made up of those who sought to change the current situation.

Unfortunately, those who were seeking a total change lacked the necessary cohesion, so they were unable to act in unity.

As for the Iranian groups residing abroad, also, due to their influence on public opinion, their technological progress and advanced satellites and radio stations, they mostly made maneuvers to promote a boycott of the election.

Q: Do you think that Dr. Moin was an unsuitable candidate for the reformists?

A: Dr. Moin had a great number of supporters and opponents. The most significant factor behind his failure was that he did not have access to public opinion. He is, however, very moral, religious, and virtuous, and precisely the ideal person people were looking for but, unfortunately, the intermediate links failed to perform their duties correctly.

Q: Who were these intermediate links?

A: I believe that these intermediate links were the university students, who acted quite passively and refrained from taking any political measure to the benefit of Dr. Moin.

Q: Do you believe that Dr. Moin lacked the necessary charisma?

A: No, because Dr. Ahmadinejad also did not have charisma. We actually did not have access to the necessary means to introduce Dr. Moin to the people as a man concerned about the realization of people’s rights and justice as well as the eradication of discrimination. That is to say, he lacked the necessary media to convey his messages and ideas to the people.

Q: Would you support Dr. Moin in the next election?

A: I am not sure if he is prepared to engage in political activities in the next presidential election.

Q: If Dr. Khatami could have legally run in the ninth presidential election, do you believe that he would have won for the third time?

A: I believe that Dr. Khatami would have won the presidential election for the third time because Iranians believe in his honesty and loyalty.

Q: Do you believe that Khatami and Ahmadinejad have common policies?

A: No. During the past eight years, people witnessed Khatami’s performance and have a positive attitude toward his policies, while in the case of Dr. Mahmud Ahmadinejad, a mere image has been formed, which indicates that Ahmadinejad is going to take a stand against corruption, discrimination, and injustice. So, people voted for Khatami’s performance, but as for Ahmadinejad, people actually voted for a desire.

Q: Do you think that Hashemi Rafsanjani’s failure in the presidential election effectively ended his political career?

A: No. During the eight years of Dr. Khatami’s presidency, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani was one of the most influential political figures in the country, and he will remain so.

Q: Some analysts believe that anyone who became the opponent of Rafsanjani in the second round of the presidential election would have won the election. Do you agree?

A: Yes, I do agree, because there are some attitudes toward Rafsanjani in the country which claim that his policies are the main reasons behind discrimination and injustice. So people thought that, since they were acquainted with Rafsanjani’s policies, they would not vote for him.

Q: Do you think that Rafsanjani’s experience in the ninth presidential election will lead to the creation of new political poles among clerics?

A: Quite certainly. As I mentioned before, Rafsanjani is an influential figure, so when he has become the target of character assassination, his supporters will take appropriate measures.

Q: What are the main challenges facing the Ahmadinejad administration?

A: Dr. Ahmadinejad has great opportunities and he should make optimal use of them. However, there are many challenges facing his administration as well. Look, Iran has a young population who are looking for jobs and investment. How can we attract the necessary funds? Certainly, through creating relations with the international community, and these are the links of a chain. 

Now, consider the West’s behavior toward President Ahmadinejad. They are following the exact same policy that Ronald Reagan adopted toward the former Soviet Union. In that period of time, Reagan increased military–defense pressure on the shoulders of the Soviet economy, so that they could not meet the people’s demands. Now Bush is implementing the same policy toward Iran, and, as you know, since the election of President Ahmadinejad, economic assets have begun flowing into Dubai.

Also, in the field of international relations and domestic policies, what is most important is the attitude of the international community toward Ahmadinejad and his administration.

SA/HG

End

MNA