Iran’s leader rails against critics of President Ahmadinejad
Published: Thursday, November 06, 2008
00:34GMT—7:34PM/EST
KHAMENEI – AHMADINEJAD – MEDIA
Washington, 5 November (IranVNC)—Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, today voiced his “displeasure” at media outlets that have been critical of President Ahmadinejad and his government and accused them of “darkening” the climate of society.
Khamenei said: “Some elements are trying to darken society’s climate and to create confusion and doubt in the minds of the people.”
Speaking to officials responsible for organizing the Hajj [annual pilgrimage of Muslims to Mecca], Khamenei warned that “this unrestrained environment of talk and criticism against the government is not something that the almighty God will easily forgive,” reports the official IRNA news agency.
His comments come as Amadinejad’s government has come increasingly under fire in the last few months, from Majlis [parliament] deputies on all sides of the political spectrum, other groups and factions in the government and media outlets affiliated to these groups.
Facing mounting pressure due to inflation rates, allegations of illegal withdrawals from the country’s foreign currency reserves fund, and the impeachment of Interior Minister Ali Kordan, Ahmadinejad received a warning from Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani yesterday, who said that the president’s cabinet members might soon need to be reconfirmed by the Majlis.
Under Article 136 of Iran’s constitution, if half of the 21 posts in the presidential cabinet are vacated, all cabinet ministers must be reconfirmed by the Majlis. Kordan was the tenth minister in Ahmadinejad’s cabinet to step down, in the course of the past three years.
Khamenei today also warned against what he called “unjust acts which brew trouble for everyone,” adding: “Therefore, all must be wary of expressions of opinions and propaganda,” IRNA reports.
Hours after Khamenei’s speech, Iran’s Press Supervisory Board, ordered the closure of the Shahrvand-e Emrouz [today’s citizen] weekly, accusing the publication of “misrepresenting some government officials,” the conservative, privately-owned Fars News Agency reports.
In its recent issues, the popular weekly, which receives financial support from leaders of Iran’s moderate Kargozaran Party, had supported the presidential candidacy of Hojjatoleslam Mehdi Karroubi, the head of the National Trust Party, and had criticized Ahmadinejad’s policies.
In 2000, Khamenei accused Iranian journalists critical of the government of engaging in what he called “media charlatanism.” Following his remarks, Iran’s Judiciary closed some 200 publications.
Source: IRNA in Persian
© IranVNC 2008. All rights reserved.
(Original article written in Persian.)