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Iran's mullahs lean towards Kerry to ease pressure
Iranian mullahs like to portray U.S. presidential elections as a choice between bad and worse but there is little doubt they would prefer Democratic challenger John Kerry to win next week. Since President George W. Bush took office the Islamic state has been dubbed an "axis of evil" member, seen U.S. forces mass on its borders in Iraq and Afghanistan and faced concerted U.S. accusations that it has a covert atomic arms programme. Kerry is unlikely to ease the pressure on Iran, which will remain a key U.S. foreign policy challenge whoever wins the Nov. 2 vote. But the Massachusetts senator's emphasis on a multilateral foreign policy approach and hints he would negotiate with Iran over its nuclear programme appeal to the country's bazaar-rooted instincts to bargain its way out of a crisis.

"Logically speaking, everything points to Iran supporting Kerry," said Tehran-based political analyst Mahmoud Alinejad. "If Bush is re-elected we're toast it will be on a platform of a radical strategy to democratise the Middle East, if necessary by force. At least what Kerry has hinted at provides the possibility for Iran to get out of this deadlock, to buy some more time." Conservative strategist Amir Mohebian, who advises some of Iran's top policymakers, agreed. "We prefer Kerry because he favours diplomatic methods rather than pressure. Iran is better off if he wins," he told Reuters.
Posted by: Mark Espinola 2004-10-28
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=47146