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10-23-2007, 07:01 AM
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#1 (permalink)
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Burgomaster
Join Date: 08-02-03
Location: Minneapolis
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Iranian MPs mount opposition
In Iran, 183 MPs sign a letter of support for Larijani, who was constrained and resigned as Iran's negotiator, being replaced by one of Ahmadinejad's political allies. I believe that Ahmadinejad faces a tough uphill battle if he wants a chance in hell of winning the 2009 Iranian presidential election, for all he has to show is anti-American vitriol while the domestic economy disintegrates and freedoms are more severely restricted. Hopefully the reformers within Iran will be able to secure control over the Iranian government.
Quote:
Iranian MPs add to nuclear splits
More than 180 Iranian MPs have signed a letter praising former chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani, who resigned from his post on Sunday.
A top foreign policy advisor to Iran's supreme leader also said Mr Larijani should not have been allowed to resign.
The BBC's Jon Leyne in Tehran says the resignation has revealed growing splits on how to proceed on the nuclear issue.
Western countries suspect Iran of trying to build nuclear weapons but Tehran says its programme is peaceful.
'Poor timing'
On Monday, 183 MPs signed a letter praising Mr Larijani's performance as a nuclear negotiator after he was replaced by deputy foreign minister Saeed Jalili, a close ally of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Mr Larijani had repeatedly offered his resignation and, on Sunday, Mr Ahmadinejad finally accepted it.
The letter came as former foreign minister Ali Akbar Velayati - now senior foreign policy advisor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei - said the resignation had come at the wrong time.
"In the very important and sensitive situation where the nuclear issue is at the moment it would be better if this did not happen, or at least it was prevented," Mr Velayati said.
Although he was appointed by Mr Ahmadinejad, Mr Larijani reported directly to Ayatollah Khamenei, who usually has the final say on all state issues.
This is not an argument over whether Iran should have a nuclear programme, just how to get there, our correspondent says.
He says pragmatists believe in negotiating with the international community and talk of following the path of Japan, which has quietly gained a civilian nuclear programme that some observers believe could be quickly adapted to produce nuclear weapons.
By contrast, Mr Ahmadinajad seems almost to want a confrontation - it is not just that he wants the nuclear programme, he wants also to use it to challenge the West and by doing so to build up Iran's power, our correspondent adds.
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Read more here: BBC NEWS | Middle East | Iranian MPs add to nuclear splits
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10-23-2007, 09:27 AM
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#2 (permalink)
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Senior Contributor
Join Date: 05-12-05
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Good article Duke. Many people will be paying close attention to see if this man suddenly disappears or is killed in an "accident" of some unfortunate means. 
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Fortitude.....The strength to persist...The courage to endure.
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