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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: EJhonsa who wrote (97297)	5/2/2003 6:13:59 PM
From: michael97123	Respond to of 281500

Eric, ....and gorbys heart was with the reformers even though he tried to maintain the one party state a la what china has done. I have great admiration for Gorbachev and believe history will judge him kindly. He went as far as any communist could. Reagan/Gorby eliminated the evil empire and then the communist system fell of its own weight. Mike

To: EJhonsa who wrote (97297)	5/2/2003 9:07:55 PM
From: Sun Tzu	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 281500

I see your point...and it is true that Khatami does not have anywhere near the power that Gorby had. But I think his critics do not give him enough credit. During his first term Khatami did a lot of good. He strongly supported the freedom of press. It came to a point that the hardline judaciary were closing down the papers on weekly basis and Khatami was issuing them new licenses the next day. He also embarked on a serious clean up the of secret police. He was less successful there but it was not for lack of trying. And he did make some material progress. Khatami's group is also responsible for introducing a lot of legislation in support of women. In doing so, even when his moves are opposed, at least a clear signal is made to the people as to who opposed it. Open letters like the ones you have seen, would not have been possible if it were not for Khatami. His mistake is that he did not quit when he threatened to do so if his reforms are not met. To be fair there were those who strongly lobbied for him not to step down. Their argument was that if Khatami steps down, a revolt may ensue that will be crushed and a lot of progress will be undone. But I think it is clear now that the people do want the fight.