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Iranian government out of the loop on nuclear policy
I think we guessed that...The official spokesman for Iranâs reformist government admitted Monday that the cabinet was effectively out of the loop on nuclear policy-making, a domain now in the hands of rising conservative forces. In his first press conference for months, Abdollah Ramazanzadeh was pressed for more details on Iranâs decision to resume the manufacture of centrifuges used for enriching uranium, a move that has drawn fresh criticism from the UN nuclear watchdog. The official replied that top conservative cleric and national security official Hassan Rowhani as well as the foreign ministry had already addressed questions on Iranâs ties with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). âPolicy decisions on this matter are not in the hands of the government, so I have nothing to say,â said the beleaguered cabinet secretary of embattled reformist President Mohammad Khatami. He was also questioned why the cabinet had been so silent on a string of other sensitive topics since Februaryâs controversial parliamentary elections, which were easily won by religious hardliners after most reformist candidates were barred from even standing. âI will stay silent,â the spokesman said bluntly. The February polls saw the conservatives cement their grip in the Islamic republic, and left Khatami and some of his cabinet isolated as some of the few reform-minded politicians still in public office. During the electoral crisis, sources close to Ramazanzadeh even said he may resign, but he later denied this. Ramazanzadeh has since taken up an additional post as head of the Iranian Baseball, Cricket and Rugby Federation - and betrayed the obvious fact that he no longer wanted to speak to reporters. âThe president ordered me to, so I have to,â he said when asked why he had agreed to resume press briefings. Khatamiâs second and final term in office ends in June 2005. Reformists have yet to put forward a potential replacement, in contrast to conservatives who have already fielded several names through the local press. Posted by: Fred 2004-06-29 |
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