Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : The Castle -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: TimF who wrote (783)	12/10/2002 1:49:04 PM
From: TimF	Respond to of 7936

Teheran in turmoil as hardliners and reformists clash Conservatives holding unelected posts storm out of Parliament after they are challenged to face a referendum TEHERAN - Political turmoil rocked Teheran as hard-line lawmakers walked out of Parliament over reformist-driven measures and police detained 30 people protesting against the conservatives. A key reformist legislator had called for a referendum on Sunday to protest against the controls wielded by unelected conservative officials. Mr Rajabali Mazrouei made the call in an open session of Parliament - aired live on state-run Teheran radio - a day after students urged the legislature to push for a plebiscite to curb the conservatives' power. 'If you believe people support you, then let's hold a referendum and allow people to determine their fate,' said Mr Mazrouei, of the Islamic Iran Participation Front, the nation's largest reformist political party. His emotional speech drew applause from the reformist-dominated house, but sparked a walkout of about 10 hardline lawmakers who hurled abuse at him as they left. 'You are an idiot,' hard-line cleric Mohammad Mohammadi shouted at Mr Mazrouei. Fellow conservative Bahman Akhavan called the reformist as 'a hypocrite.' Despite their unpopularity, hardliners clinging on to power and unelected institutions, such as the judiciary and police, are undermining popular reforms by President Mohammad Khatami. But reformists are getting more support. Yesterday, members of the hardline Basij militia attacked and broke up a gathering of some 1,500 pro-reform students at a Teheran university. The clash lasted about 15 minutes, and at least two people were injured. The gathering followed a peaceful rally on Sunday - also by students - at two Teheran universities. The students began their protests last month in response to a death sentence imposed on a reformist academic. About 8,000 people demonstrated in and around Tehran University on Saturday. The event showed ordinary Iranians were prepared to join the students, who in recent weeks have led the largest pro-reform protests in more than three years. Mr Ali Taala, general director of security and political affairs at the Teheran governor's office, told a news conference that about 200 protesters were arrested in the city on Saturday. 'Most of them have been released after being questioned but 30 of them are under arrest and 40 of them were released on bail,' he said. --Reuters, AP straitstimes.asia1.com.sg