Two or Three Healthy Elections Could Hearten the Citizens
IRD Introduction: on Monday February 13th, the Reformist newspaper Shargh held a lengthy interview with Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Iran's two-term president during the 1990s and one of the country’s most influential post-Revolution figures. The first and second parts of the interview focused on the years of Hashemi Rafsanjani’s presidential term, and his opinion about Khatami and Ahmadinejad's years of presidency. The following is the third part of Shargh’s interview with Hashemi Rafsanjani:
There is a concept that argues the Iranian reformists are a minority group with little success in their political efforts. There is an assumption in the analysis of their failure that states this group lacks a concerted base and uniformity, which turns them into an ineffective social force. Do you agree with this statement? Additionally, you are credited with establishing the Executives of Construction Party, which is considered an excellent political move, yet the party does not have a social base in society. So far the party has been unable to expand itself in society in order to attract supporters and members to ultimately create positive ripples of change. How to you evaluate this?
HR: Firstly, I did not establish the Executives of Construction Party.
But it was highly endorsed by you.
HR: My name is associated with the party, but my children are its members.
Nonetheless, the pubic associates the party with you.
HR: Well these are simply inaccurate claims. Allow me to explain how the party came into being. I was a member of the Combatant Clergy Association, which tended to have the final word over elections, particularly in Tehran. Prior to choosing Tehran’s candidates a meeting was held in my office to select 30 candidates. [Then Vice-President] Dr. [Hassan] Habibi brought a message from a number of my administration’s executives who asked for fifty percent of the slate. The association rejected the request, only accepting five of the more moderate candidates the executives had introduced. The association asked why it had to endorse their candidates when it has its own vote in Tehran. The Supreme Leader also backed their decision. The executives released their first statement, which attracted so much attention, and that was how the party was formed. After that, the Supreme Leader ordered that the ministers do not have the right to support any parliamentary candidate, since they are approved by the MPs themselves. The ministers came to me and said that if the Supreme Leader was discontent with the matter, they would not issue a slate for the parliament. Ayatollah Khamenei said that the deputies could stay with the party, he even called for Tehran's Mayor [Gholam-Hossein Karbaschi] to join the team. And you saw that the party secured nearly half of the seats in the fifth parliament.
What about the party’s presence in society to attract members and supporters? Reformists lack a social body and the necessary support.
HR: Of course our society is such that it would highly support this party, which would add to the party’s strength. But you must discuss this with the party’s leaders.
Mr. Hashemi, in hindsight which of your past activities would you have put more effort into? And which would you not act upon?
HR: I would put more emphasis on development although admittedly the country’s development has come a long way compared to the past. Currently, further development and strengthening of the real private sector is essential. The government must reduce its ambit and be downsized. Advancing foreign relations is essential and political parties must exist. Currently, we have rich scientific resources with plenty of university students and academic elites. There is yet much to achieve.
With your permission I would like to ask a question regarding the current sanctions on Iran that have placed the country in a dangerous position. Your opinions are highly valued among many people in society and some of the country’s officials. What advice do you have for the people and country’s officials on curbing the current pressure that is placed on the country?
HR: I spoke to our dear Supreme Leader regarding this matter a few months ago and we were both in agreement. Considering the heightened pressure, our best tool to overcome the increased difficulty is national unity and mutual sympathy between the government and the people. Such unity would decrease the damage on the country. Foreign nations believe that by mounting pressure on Iran they can increase division within the society. Unity starts with elections. Legitimate and legal elections will encourage and assure people that their vote has an effect on different matters. Two or three healthy elections would have that effect on the people.
Some segments of society did not participate in the elections…
HR: You asked my opinion and I believe that we all have to be coordinated and hold outstanding presidential and parliamentary elections, stemming from the people. Two or three presidential, parliamentary and council elections held this way will bring communities much closer to each other.
Could there be any specific work done in the country’s diplomatic field?
HR: We must better our relations with our neighboring countries and other foreign nations. Khatami introduced the Dialogue of Civilizations that was approved in the UN. If similar measures were to be taken the country would soon be accepted internationally. Slogans that only add to the existing tension will not work. Relations with our country’s neighbors are very important. Recall how quickly we created brotherly relations with our neighboring Asian, Central Asian and African countries after the Iran-Iraq War.
What is your specific advice regarding the country’s economy?
HR: implementing the same economic plans and policies that were proposed by the Expediency Council that were also approved by the Supreme Leader’s office, which would lead to a formidable private sector in the country. Just today I had a Japanese scientist as guest. In Japan nuclear power plants are all built by the private sector and so is their military equipment. We can do the same. All of our country’s energy plants are run by the state. I believe we should have similar policies.
Your suggestions require national unity; how can true national unity be achieved?
HR: The support of the Supreme Leader is essential to this and in our discussions I felt that he was interested and in agreement.
Are you still optimistic about this difficult phase our country is in? We are facing extremely tough times.
HR: In any state I always believe in God’s grace and I hope our country passes these difficult times.
Many thanks giving us your time.