Iran’s Presidential elections generates excitement

By Saybhan Samat

(May 26, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) An event that the eyes of the world will be focused on is scheduled to take place on 12th June 2009. The Islamic Republic of Iran, government and people are gearing for this crucial election and intense campaigning among the four candidates has already begun. Those contesting are the incumbent president Ahamadinejad who is seeking a second term a previous Prime Minister Mir. Mousavi Hussein, a former speaker of parliament Ayatollah Mehdi Karoubi and the former Head of the Revolutionary Guard Corp Moshen Resae.

The election is taking place in the background of the new president of the US, Obama expressing his desire to open relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran and Tel Aviv making noises that Israel must prepare for war against Iran. The newly elected government in Israel headed by prime –minister Benjamin Netanyahu are all hardliners bent on attacking the nuclear sites in the Islamic Republic of Iran and also trying very hard to persuade the US to join in this adventure not realizing that it may precipitate a third world war.

As to president Obama’s desire to open relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iran’s parliamentary speaker Ali Larijani said on 21st May that Iran’s is monitoring US behaviour for its promised change of policy.

“Do you think that with verbal tactics you ( US officials ) will inflict the Islamic Republic with negligence. We are monitoring your behaviour and have several scenarios on the table for your behaviour,” he said.

The local IRNA, news agency quoted Larijani as saying that “Iran is closely watching the activities of the United States of America in order to see if there is a real change in it’s policy,” Larijani added. Larijani has already called on the US to revise its policy significantly in favour of Palestine as a sign of president Obama’s “change” slogan.

On 19th May, Larijani called on the US to move out of the region, saying the continuation of military presence of the US in the region brings no result other than the expansion of terrorism, violence and insecurity. Washington and its allies including Israel, regard Iran’s demand of US withdrawal as Tehran’s initiation to boost influence in the region.

As regards Israel war threats, it is known that Israel’s nuclear industries are an existential threat to Islamic self –determination and the Islamic Republic of Iran. However the western controlled news media propagates that Israel is facing an “existential threat” by Iran acquiring nuclear power. The hysterics of the media warriors for Israel borders on the bizarre. Israel has all the nuclear bombs it can handle but all the blame for nuclear guilt is directed on to Iran.

Iran says it will not attack any country, in the last 200 years it has not done so. However if attacked, with its new missile technology the latest of which it has a 2000 Kilo-meters range missile it will target all the nuclear-sites in Israel. There is no doubt that Hezbollah, Hamas and Islamic Jihad will also join in this attack on Israel.

In this scenario many Iranians feel that president Ahamadinejad should be re-elected, as he has proved himself capable to stand-against the machinations of the US its allies and Israel during the last four years. President Ahamadinejad has been criticized for the handling of the economy and the increase in unemployment. Ahamadinejad cannot be blamed entirely for this. There was a sudden drop in the price of oil during his tenure in office and this was partly responsible for the slowing of the economy in addition to US sanctions. On the positive side during Ahamadinejad’s presidency Iran’s image in the world was enhanced and Iran now occupies centre stage in the world. All attempts by the US and its allies to isolate Iran have failed miserably. Iran has very close relations with Russia, China, Latin America, Persian Gulf countries, Sri Lanka and other non-aligned nation’s of the world.

The June 12th presidential elections will be Iran’s tenth for the office of president. Altogether Iran has had 31 elections since the victory of the Islamic revolution in February 1979. Ahamadinejad’s populist style and his bold stand against the Zionist state of Israel as well as the US have endeared him to Muslims world-wide. He is extremely popular for his austere life-style at home and his care for the poor. The present opinion is that Ahamadinejad will retain his position.46.2 million are registered as eligible voters 51% women 49% men. The elections have generated immense excitement in Iran.

-Sri Lanka Guardian