Azerbaijan, Baku, 19 May /corr. Trend D.Khatinoglu / Trend interview with the former Vice President of Iran, activist of Mushariket Party, Muhammadali Abdin.
Question: What are your estimations of defeat of reformists in the parliamentary elections in Iran?
Answer: Most of seats during the parliamentary elections were taken by the ruling party because the Government did not register candidatures from the reformist parties. We fought in unequal and injustice conditions. Therefore, our defeat in the elections does not testify low popularity of the reformists amongst people.
Question: What is your view on the current Parliament and future relations between the Parliament and Government?
Answer: Unlike previous composition of the Parliament, the current Parliament brings together large number of representatives from parties. In addition, a number of reformists and independent candidates could gain seats in the Parliament. I think that the current Parliament is better to fulfill its obligations.
Question: A Speaker will be elected for the Parliament in the near future. Who will the reformists support?
Answer: As the reformists could not gain majority in the Parliament, they will not have their candidate. Therefore, it does not matter for us who will be Speaker.
Question: What are plans of reformists for the Presidential elections in Iran? Can the former President Muhammad Khatami become a candidate of reformists in the elections?
Answer: Yet it is sooner to speak our plans for the Presidential elections. However, Mushariket Party often holds meetings on this topic and devises plans. We plan to nominate the most ideal person who will represent the party. I can concretely say that we will actively participate in the Presidential elections next year and will make all the best for the victory of our candidate. However, yet we have not come to a conclusion what principles will be applied and whose candidature will be nominated.
Question: Last week 77 MPs sharply reacted to Khatami's statement on dissemination of Islamic revolution in the world. Khatami said in Gilyan city that dissemination of Islamic revolution does not mean to take arm and implement provocation in other countries. What is your attitude towards this statement?
Answer: In general, the reactions to Khatami's statement are internal political games. The former Religious Leader of Iran, Imam Khomeini, also opposed forcible dissemination of the revolution in other countries. Even Imam punished revolutionary seid Mehdi Khashimi and his several supporters for their intentions to hold armed fighting abroad. Khatami's statement is not a new idea. Simply it coincides with the idea of Khomeini and other ideologists of the revolution. However, several forces in Iran misuse this issue to hold provocations.
Question: What forces can implement provocation against reformists?
Answer: The ruling party has strong press organizations, wide opportunities, which they can use to hold propaganda against opposition. As I said, the issue of dissemination of Islamic revolution became stumbling point between the Iranian parties. The ruling party wants to use it and cast shadow on image of the reformists.
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