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Iran: Between Modernization And Conservatism (Part
I)
By Sahar Kassaimah
30/03/2001
The conflict between Iran's conservatives and reformists is passing through a period of great change, leaving the country and its people in a state of instability and embarrassment.
It is too soon to know how it will end or which faction will win. Will reformist President Mohammad Khatami be able to go for another four years in office?
Part I of this article will discuss the reasons behind the conflict between Iran's two ruling wings, which is unlike any other conflict between two opponents in any other electoral campaign.
The campaign against the Iranian president and his liberalizing reforms intensified after the February 2000 parliamentary elections, in which the conservatives lost control for the first time since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iran's conservative courts then closed down some 30 mostly pro-reform publications and jailed a number of Khatami's close political allies.
President Khatami, who has increasingly publicized his frustrations over his limited powers in office, has confirmed that he will stick with his political reforms - despite tremendous opposition from conservatives. He believes that defending reforms is a revolutionary, historical, and national responsibility. "No pressure can make me give up this path. I cannot give up my commitment to God and the noble people. We have no choice but to succeed in establishing Islamic democracy," said the president in his address to the Iranian parliament.
"Those who do not understand the nation's genuine and historical demands for freedom, independence and progress; those who sow the seeds of hatred and violence have chosen an ill-fated journey."
The President says he has faced numerous political crises during his four years in office, all of which are part of a conservative campaign to block his social and political reforms. "These four years," he said, "have been a heavy responsibility for me, a hard but glorious one… This era is coming to an end, but the story will go on. The life of our responsibilities, like that of our own, is short."
At the same time, President Khatami has kept quiet about his reelection plans, adding to the general uncertainty about the future of his reform program. Some analysts have suggested that the president, having spent most of his time confronting his opposition, might not be able to go for another four-year term in office, being increasingly frustrated by his obstacles.
It is also being said that he is concerned about the accumulated impact of the conflict on the country's security. On the other hand, from President Khatami's addresses and actions, other analysts are predicting that he will represent his movement in next June's elections. The movement, which does want him to run in the reelection, could not confirm at this time whether he will run or not.
In the meantime, Khatami said his presidency would be judged on its achievements. Some question whether he has more to offer to his country and his people. "Khatami feels he has not been able to fulfill his promises to the people and meet expectations, so he asks himself why he should stay in the office," said Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Behzad Nabavi.
The reformists have been criticized by the conservatives for their rapprochement with the U.S. Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said, "It is very bad that... the hearts of people lie with the enemy, and they repeat what the enemy says and question our values, and do exactly what the enemy wants to be done… Those who want to change our animosity toward America ... cannot claim to support our national interests."
When asked if Iran was ready to improve relations with the U.S. administration, Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said that Iran was following a policy of openness and is willing to establish better relations with the U.S. if the latter changes its "hostile attitude" toward Iran.
Iran's executive, judicial, and legislative branches of government are separated, and can check one another's exercise of power. Although the clergy dominated the highest ranks of the government in the 1990s, it was divided into liberal and conservative factions. In the late 1990s, conservatives controlled the legislature and the judiciary, and liberals controlled the executive branch under President Khatami. The court is administratively independent of the judiciary branch and is controlled by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Despite the president nearing the end of his term, it seems that the religion-based state will remain difficult to reform. Insha'Allah, Part II of this article will address the following questions:
· Who will represent the conservatives in June's election?
· If President Khatami decides to run for another term, will he be victorious over his opponent?
· Could this conflict between the conservatives and reformists overthrow the Islamist Republic of Iran?
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