Iran's Supreme Leader voices support for Ahmadinejad’s second term
Washington, 24 August (IranVNC)—Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei suggested indirectly yesterday that he would support a second term for President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, during a meeting between the two and the president’s cabinet.
By: IranVNC
Published: Sunday, August 24, 2008
13:00GMT—9:00AM/EST
IRAN – POLITICS – KHAMENEI - AHMADINEJAD
Washington, 24 August (IranVNC)—Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei suggested indirectly yesterday that he would support a second term for President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, during a meeting between the two and the president’s cabinet.
“Do not think that this year is the last year of the government,” Khamenei was quoted by the official IRNA news agency as saying. “Imagine that the management is in your hands for this year and another four years.”
He added: “Work and plan and act with this vision.”
This is the first time that Khamenei has made such a statement of support for Ahmadinejad, who will run for a second term in June 2009 elections.
Khamenei also praised Ahmadinejad’s stance on the country’s nuclear program, applauding him for standing against those countries that “did not want Iran to have nuclear technology.”
Western powers suspect Iran is using the cover of a civilian nuclear program to develop nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran strongly denies, insisting the program is peaceful.
Khamenei also said that Ahmadinejad’s government has “warmer support” than previous administrations, although he “always supported” those governments.
But Khamenei warned Ahmadinejad against any “hasty” economic plan that would further fuel soaring inflation, which was 26 percent last month. However, Khamenei said the “very important” plan, which includes redistributing billions of dollars of state subsidies to target groups, “needs to be done.”
“Implementing this plan in a good manner is a big step in the country’s progress but the hasty implementation of that [plan] will bring about some dangers and harm,” IRNA reports.
Reuters reports that economists have said that the plan will help curb state spending and cut waste, but have warned of a short-term inflationary impact.
The government has already imposed a controversial gasoline rationing system to cut state subsidies on petrol.
Ahmadinejad has come under fire by many senior Iranian figures over his handling of the economy.
Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani – who heads the Assembly of Experts and Expediency Council – openly criticized the president’s economic policies twice this month. Rafsanjani was defeated by Ahmadinejad in the 2005 presidential elections.
But Khamenei told the attendees yesterday that criticism differed from “sabotage”.
“Criticism is different than sabotage. Unfortunately many [perform] sabotage but call it criticism,” IRNA reports.
Sources: IRNA in Persian, Reuters
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