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Comments on ‘Should he resign?’
yahya at July 23, 2003 02:38 PM:
I agree with the obvious fact that Khatami has failed to fulfill many of his promises. Reform has failed as well. Still, for me, understanding the benefits of resignation of Khatami is a challenging issue. I can't envision the mechanisms that can take Iran to a democratic country after his resignation. I do not believe that merely international pressures can work. The democratic movement in Iran is still fragmented and weak. This movement needs time to define itself independently from the reformists who are in power. Khatami can still be a shield to keep Iran safe from external threats and allow the democratic movement in Iran moves ahead. I think people who argue for resignation of Khatami should more clearly identify the steps after his resignation.
John Anderson, RI USA at July 23, 2003 05:47 PM:
I am not sure a Khatami resignation would be for the better, but then I know almost nothing about Iran. It is the Supreme/Executive council[s] that must go. As to the World's attention, other than those who think Saddam should have been left in power in Iraq you have it: we are desperately trying to think how to help you, or better for you to help yourselves, without mass shedding of blood. And, in case you have been buried by propaganda, no one wants a return of the monarchy in any form.
Ghazal at July 23, 2003 07:31 PM:
Yesterday we had a discussion during tea time, one of the professors was asking that "lets assume I get tired of hearing something like war on terror or terrorism and I would want to take a pill to sleep for a while and not get up until it's gone how long do you think I should sleep? " someone said "don't be optimistic in the case of terrorism when it starts it might be around until the group really wins the case and then the word will be replaced by something else like freedom fighters as in the case between Britain and Israel" Now I dont like hearing so many arguments pro Khatami resignation or against it but good for me because no matter what happens it will be over in two years anyway! you see I just don't like the idea of giving up on a project that... [more at the permalink of the entry above]
Vahid at July 23, 2003 08:35 PM:
I agree with "Yahya" about, those who are for resignation, should think of what could happen next. And to be honest, one should be very optimist to think, a simple resignation will solve evreything. A goverment that kill journalist and burries it wherever it wishes, would not care much about international pressure. But I also agree with Mona, I think Khatami should do something. He should protest against what goes on. And he should do it in the most effective way. Resignation is a strong protest, but it should not be done passively. He should seek something beyond it. Vahid
BHS at July 23, 2003 08:39 PM:
Khatami's resignation to me could only be a gesture of protest really, of declaring himself not guilty of what goes on behind the thick veil of politics in Iran. That is, simply giving up. And that's why I'm also opposed to his resignation. There's no real outcome, for one thing, and then Khatami as the president has (had) better ways of protesting, instead of resigning. Instead I belive people have to find more effective ways of making their demands clear. If it's having a democratic government, for instance, one should get rid of the unelected gang, not an elected president who one thinks is not firm enough or not fit for that job. Yes, I'm disappointed in him, but more angry at the real culprits.
Mona at July 24, 2003 04:05 AM:
I just want to make it clear that I'm not sure if Khatami's resignation is the best way either! BUT I'm looking for a way out of this deadlock... Everyday they arrest more people, torture them, threaten others... Khatami expresses his disagreement, he asks for fair trials, he warns about Iran’s future and they just continue doing whatever they want! This way of solving the problems is what he has been doing in these 6 years, and I did agree and appreciate even this much of resistance… But as I see, it has lost its effect day by day. Nobody seems to care about what he does or says. As he once said, he is a president without any sort of power and a bunch of responsibilities…. I always thought he should talk to the people. He should be more open. This way of handling all the problems secretly... [more at the permalink of the entry above]