IRAN: A day after 22 Bahman rally, a conservative Ahmadinejad rival opens fire

If Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad thought he was in the clear after his government managed to overwhelm opposition protesters during Thursday's 22 Bahman rally commemorating the 31st anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in Tehran, he got a rude awakening Friday. 

A leading conservative rival to Ahmadinejad, lawmaker Ali Mottahari, warned that Iran was not yet out of the clear.

"We cannot claim the crisis is totally over until both sides make up for their mistakes," he said in an interview with Khabaronline (in Persian), the news website affiliated with parliamentary speaker Ali Larijani. "The differences of opinion between the government and [the opposition] might have been eased to some extent, but they still exist. Our statesmen should not imagine that people's massive presence in the Thursday rally reflects the approval of their performance.... The presence of political elite in the rally does not mean there is no longer any criticism or objection towards the regime."

Mottahari recently called on opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi to stop calling for protests for a bit and let government insiders like him take care of Ahmadinejad and his ilk. 

In the interview he seemed to be auditioning to replace them, echoing their calls to restore civil liberties. "The government should respect social freedoms and stop its press bans," he said. "The government should also take action to secure the release of political prisoners and create a climate of friendship and affection."

In a pointed remark apparently aimed at Ahmadinejad's attempts to cut a deal with the West over Iran's nuclear program, Mottahari also hinted that the president was double-crossing the Iranian people, talking tough for domestic audiences while secretly playing footsie with world powers.

"People expect their governments not to seek compromise with big powers," he said. "The government should be honest with people and tell people if it is engaged in behind-the-scenes negotiations with big powers. Nor should the government tie Iran's nuclear issue to normalization of ties with the United States."

-- Los Angeles Times

Photo: Ali Mottahari. Credit: Khabaronline

Comments

[ALandofnorain]

Ah yes, "Atefeh" reminds us that the IRG watches the western media, and likes to participate in our discussion boards. Welcome to free speech Atefeh, something your society is sorely lacking. It should come soon enough however as change is on the way.
Joseph G., the US won't be the one bombing Iran, if anyone does. Israel has more than enough air power with sufficient range to accomplish the mission. I don't think most laymen are aware of the number and unrefueled range of the latest additions to the IAF, nor are most aware of Israel's small fleet of German built, and financed, submarines and the Israeli made cruise missiles these carry. If an attack happens, it will be from Israel, not the US, and I will bet you that behind gilded doors in the Sunni capitals of the Arab world, and in quite a few European nations, there will be quiet congratulations and sighs of relief, regardless of any bedlam in the Arab street over this new Israeli "outrage".

[S.Mostafa]

ahmadi is best man

[Joseph G]

@ ESTER HAMAN,

Why is it so hard for facist regine in iran and it's agents to use their real name when they go on Internet and news website to bash the Greatest SHAH and King of IRAN after the Cyrus the Great ?? I mean do you have to use a fake name to not show that you are an Extremist Islamic fundamentalist who is probably names after one of the devil leaders in your cult ????? Islamic Regime will go down with you or without you, You better be ready for referendums ina few months after these terrorist Agents , Khamenei Mousavi, Ahmadinejad, Karoubi, Rafsanjani are prosecuted following after that......

Dear Ravi Singh,

If U.S attacks the nuclear sites in IRAN, It will not solve the real problem which is the actual people who we are dealing with.. I am an iranian living in US and I would love for them to get bombed away but the real problem lies with the Existance of Such REGIME which does not care who it's dealing with and will have no problem using it ( Nuc. Weapns) once available... If we bomb them now, They will come back again in 5 yrs or 10 years or 20 yrs from now, Don't you think It'd be more effective for the WHOLE WORLD to help the Movement which is on the streets in IRAN looking for New Regime such as one which existed 31 Years ago during the SHAH Era, and help bring a government to power that will be beneficial to the whole middle east's survuval and peace and world economy specially End of Support for 90% of terrorism which exists today all over the world ??? Do you still want to just drop bombs on 2 sites or rather hit it where it hurts, The regime and it's dangerous minded leaders which don't have any mercy on their own kind and citizens !!! Think about it..
Long Live Freedom, Democracy, Equality and Peace V IRAN WILL BE FREE

[Ravi Singh]

The West should pin no hopes on the Iranian opposition, which is being systematically and effectively crushed. In any event, many of the protesters are supporters of Iran's Islamic revolution, sharing its deep enmity against America and Israel, and disagreeing with Mr. Ahmadinejad only on the details. This regime will perceive negotiations and sanctions as the West's grudging acceptance of the inevitability of its rise as a nuclear power with effective missile delivery systems. Only military force will work. Iran has demonstrated a contempt for democracy and human rights, continued hostility towards the U.S. and Israel, and great haste to amass nuclear materials and long-range missiles. If this does not justify a limited nuclear strike, then what does? What is the use of America's military power anyway, if America chooses to capitulate to Iran while protesting feebly?

[Joseph G]

Before the end of the year , It will be a matter of choosing to Hang Ahmadinejaad , Mir Hosein Mousavi, Karoubi, Khamenei and Rafsanjani Or if they chose to run and save their 90-150 Billion dollars which they are worth combined and live in a rat hole in syria or lebanon if they would even be allowed in then.... Death will come to all of them soon, IT's just a matter of either by law or not !!!

IRAN WILL BE FREE soon from the hands of Facist Nazi Terrorist regime in Iran by the hands of it's own people and the world will live in peace !!!

Marg bar Jomhoorie Eslamee / Down with Facist Terrorist Islamic Regime IN IRAN Not OF IRAN

[Esther Haman]

This is exactly what we, in the US and the West were worried about in 1953 when we covertly paid bunch of thugs and rough necks to beat people in the streets of Tehran and stoled their young Democracy, which borough the tyrant Shah back with his CIA trained SAVAK. We let these people suffer under that rule for 40 years and forgot all about them. Does anyone thinks that these people will forget all that and forgive us for what brought on them?! You must be dreaming!

[atefeh]

الله اكبر...خامنه اي رهبر
we are permanent successfuls...IRAN is gonna dominate the world...nobody cant stup us from improving...we are uncountbles...viva ira..viva dr.ahmadinejad

[ALandornorain]

By New Year's day there will be a new form of government in Iran. The only question is whether or not Ahmadinejad and the mullahs will be executed or flee somewhere.