Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Rafsanjani Loses Assembly Chairmanship

Former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani lost his position today as the head of the powerful Assembly of Experts, a clerical body charged with choosing or dismissing Iran's supreme leader. Facing certain defeat, Rafsanjani decided not to run for reelection to "avoid division," as he later explained. The Assembly then elected Ayatollah Mohammad Reza Mahdavi Kani as its new chairman. He received 63 votes in the 86-member assembly as the sole candidate for the post.

Rafsanjani’s loss is the latest indication that the regime is sidelining anyone remotely associated with the 2009 Green Movement. Their leaders, Mousavi and Karrubi, are under house arrest. Former reformist president Khatami is pushed out and now Rafsanjani has lost the powerful chairmanship of the assembly, the Islamic Republic’s version of the Vatican’s College of Cardinals.

Hardline Member of Majlis Mahmoud Ahmadi Biqash said Rafsanjani paid a price for not condemning the opposition leaders Mousavi and Karrubi.

"Today, Assembly of Expert members showed that they are pioneers in confronting enemies and seditionists and obeying the orders of the supreme leader," Biqash said [IRNA, 8 March].

13 comments:

reader said...

Excluding Rafsanjani and the other founding members of the Islamic republic may prove to be a critical and potentially costly misjudgement by the current ruling elites of the republic. The sceptics will probably see this as a mild form of political regression not too dissimilar to the infamous USSR great purge of 1936–1938 when Stalin purged the founding members of the communist party who disagreed with his style of governance. At the time he was genuinely convinced that a strict form of Marxism was the essential ingredient for a great and empowered soviet union. I hope history will be kinder to the present rulers of Iran than it has been to Stalin.

Anonymous said...

Reader, I agree with your observation but you can also look at it this way..Rafsanjani became too powerful and abused his position to make himself and cronies very wealthy. Too wealthy to point that made him corrupt and to the ideals of the revolution that he supported and help create.Mind you, the West tend to read the political situation in Iran as a Reformists vs Clerics thing.Far from it.It's two parties fighting over who control the national wealth.Rafsanjani, Karubi, Mousavi and their gang are against the Ahmadinejad faction because they don't get the opportunities they enjoyed when they had power. Your point about Stalin USSR purge is not quite the same as Iran.Mind you this dude was VOTED out by some 63 - 26 votes out of 86. In my my book that doesn't constitute a "purge" as purging is done by the use of brute force. Anyway, the new guy is modest. Apparently he didn't even want the position but seems to have a lot of influence among both parties.It's also a face saving way for Rafsanjani to exist the scene gracefully. Muosavi, Rafsanjani, Karubi have painted themselves into a corner and need help to redeem themselves gracefully.Mousavi just posted on his site that he's at home and not in jail as was reported earlier.

Nader Uskowi said...

"Today, Assembly of Expert members showed that they are pioneers in confronting enemies and seditionists and obeying the orders of the supreme leader," Biqash said [IRNA, 8 March].

This is the kind of language used by the ruling group against former senior leaders of the Islamic Republic: Enemies, Seditionists...

Haven't we seen this movie before? Doesn't this remind you of those dark periods in Russian and German histories?

And the man making these remarks is an influential member of Majlis. He also is proud of "obeying the orders of the supreme leader."

This is what the country has come to: a member of parliament proud of obeying the orders of the supreme leader! Then why don't they close the parliament, save lots of money in salaries, office spaces, securities, etc., and just obey the orders?

Anonymous said...

Nader says: "Then why don't they close the parliament, save lots of money in salaries, office spaces, securities, etc., and just obey the orders?"

Because Nader jaan then there will be no fun! The charade, oops I mean, the show must go on!

Anonymous said...

"Today, Assembly of Expert members showed that they are pioneers in confronting enemies and seditionists and obeying the orders of the supreme leader," Biqhash said [IRNA, 8 March].

The country has indeed come to a new low. An assembly which should overlook and impeach the supreme leader is too happy to announce that it follows the orders of the same guy!

But I'm happy here. While there will be a heavy price to pay for Iranians to overcome this last obstacle in their quest to genuine freedom, these are the last nails on the Islamic Republic's coffin.
They are broadcasting Islam's ultimate political and moral bankruptcy.

Anonymous said...

"Then why don't they close the parliament, save lots of money in salaries, office spaces, securities, etc., and just obey the orders?"

Tyrannies generally put up a facade of democracy, hold fake elections, etc. I suppose the idea is to disarm criticism.

Don Cox

Anonymous said...

Dear Mr. Uskowi,
Once again your off the cuff remarks about the assembly of experts is off the mark. First of all, Ayatola Khameini is a very wise man. Secondly have'nt you ever heard of national solidarity?
Sir why do you hate Islam so much?
you seem to have no respect for the majority of the Iranian peoples choice. you seem to be mad, about the days of shaw and shaw being over.78% percent of the Iranian people have chosen Islam over the Dictatorial methods of shaw n shaw, and the so call Democratic principles that you are so in love with, are a fraudulent way of government. Socrates the So call father of Democracy was put on trial, when he encouraged the poor, slaves, and foreigners of Greece, to stand up and claim their human rights. The Greek Plutocrats, thought that Democracy was only a right of the Greek elite.
Hence Democracy is an ideology for those of privileged society. And that is why Allah T'ala sent Muhammad!

Anonymous said...

Mr Uskowi said:

"This is what the country has come to: a member of parliament proud of obeying the orders of the supreme leader! Then why don't they close the parliament, save lots of money in salaries, office spaces, securities, etc., and just obey the orders?"

Spot the difference between now and the shah's time? Now we have Khameinei and party of god. During Shah's time we had Mohammad Reza and RastaKhiz!

In both cases the leader was faultless and the parlimant was just a comic. The only difference was that in Shah's time there was no mention of execution of opposition by MPs!

It is ironic that after 30 years nothing really has changed. We still have half of the population living under poverty line.

Going back to the Assembly of experts I don't think they did anything useful and whether Rafsanjani is head or not it really matters very little. They are simply moving the old guards and replacing them with a new bunch.

There is a saying that people deserve who rules them. I guess Iran is no exception. Regretably, free speech, respect for other opinions, tolerance and civil values have very little place in Today's Islamic Republic.

Anonymous said...

anon March 9, 2011 1:20 PM said:

"Dear Mr. Uskowi,
Once again your off the cuff remarks about the assembly of experts is off the mark. First of all, Ayatola Khameini is a very wise man. Secondly have'nt you ever heard of national solidarity?
Sir why do you hate Islam so much?"

To start I don't think anyone in this forum hates Islam or for that matter any other religion. This is a free forum and everyone is entitled to their opinion including Mr Uskowi and obviously some do not know the meaning of these things.

On the other hand there are those that have no tolerance or respect for other individuals opinion. So in their world you are either with them or against them! In this case anyone who has an opposing view must be either a Zionist, a member of the green movement, an agent of USA, an Islam hater or for that matter anything else. Well according to these people who see the world from one angle only tolerance and civil behaviour has no value. Since they detest anyone with differing opinion, they feel that everybody is against them. They talk about solidarity but solidarity about what? I guess about hypothetical enemy. They have no stomach to talk about rampant corruption in Islamic republic, the fact that half f the population live under poverty, an isolated country that has no real friend and regrettably is considered as outcast in international society. The administration spends over $2.8 billions monthly on direct cash (around 34% of the currency earnings handouts) to keep people somehow content. After thirty years of wasting nation's resources, Iran is ending up with a society in which the vast young population have no hope for the future. The female population of Iran have been degraded by this wretched ideology to second class citizens through covering of hair and other restricted practices with vast amount of nation's money spent to police this ridiculous habit. Unable to find any meaningful purpose in life under this ideology, the young people are increasingly turning to drugs. The net effect is that in certain urban population either the vast majority are drug takers or drug dealers. The solution is not replacing the current regime with Mousavi or Khatami or other people affiliated to this ideology including Rafsanjani. What Iran needs is a secular government allowing people a degree of freedom and being part of community of nations. No we are not looking for any other religious dogma or another bunch chosen by US/Israel/west or whatever. Neither there is a need for any ideology driven government. Iran does not need heroes including Shah or Khamenei, strong men or any other symbol for that matter any more! It needs those selected though true ballot box. That is all. The problem is that as anon March 9, 2011 1:20 PM proved if one is brainwashed, then logic has no place. Babbling is norm of the day. So we have an ideology that educates mechanical, superstitious, ahistorical and dogmatic way in life. The regime keeps misleading the people, perpetrate ignorance, deprivation and superstition. Unable to improve the life of daily masses the regime can only offer martyrdom and sacrifice as means of attaining salvation. It is ironic that an ancient civilisation like Iran in 21st Century is going through this mess!

Anonymous said...

Mr. Nader, your contempt for Iran is just out of proportion bordering on insanity.Your assertion that they should just close parliament and call it a day is just stupid, if you don't mind me saying.

And to think that an exiled Iranian and many like your type, who hasn't even set foot in Iran for decades and also creates his views on Iran from "opposition" contacts within Iran should decide on what's best for Iran thousands of miles away in some house/apartment in LA behind a computer is just unbelievable.

The new guy elected acted correctly and is a unifying force for both parties and he's liberal in his views and not another hardliner like Rafsanjani, my humble professor-know-it-all.

By your logic, if Obama make a decision that goes contrary to what most Americans including yourself, and Nancy Pelosi declares publicly her support for Obama's decision and rubber-stamp's it in congress then she's biased and for that matter they should just close congress and call it a day because it's a charade?

Every government puts in place people that favor their policies in order to govern properly.Not the other way round. Comparing Iranian democracy to Western democracy is a case of apples and oranges.

And what makes you think your idea of "democracy" if it ever materialize in Iran will be welcomed by all Iranians?Ever wondered why your supported "green movement"(yes, I've said it) aren't getting anywhere with their demands in Iran?Because for them it's either their way or the highway and Iranians won't accept that kind of democracy in any way shape or form.

And Oh, I think you'll still be living in exile for a very long time and probably not even see Iran before your dreams come to pass. Sorry if i offend you and I hope you publish this..have a good day...

Ps: What do you have to say about Bradley Manning's imprisonment for exercising his freedom of speech in your democratic USA???

Anonymous said...

To March 9, 2011 1:20 PM
who said

"Hence Democracy is an ideology for those of privileged society. And that is why Allah T'ala sent Muhammad!"

I have never heard so much junk rubbish in my life. So Muhammad came and all those followers of this wreched ideology are living in a flourishing society?

So how comes that all those Arabs who live in those deserts are now uprising in their society. If it was not for freeer society what is else for? Did Mubarak, Gaddafi or any other tyrant try to stop their people from going to mosques? No mate. Explain to us how comes after Muhammad and his wise men Khomeini and khamanei, we still have half of Iran population living under poverty. What Islam has given Iran to be proud of? What blessing has it provided except destroying once proud civilisation, brainwashing people, replacing tolerance with sword, labelling everyone as heretics and propagating nosense.

Tell these headlines about wisdom etc to those workers who have not been paid for the past six months. I am sure they will be very impressed with you guys babbling about Greek democracy and moral superiority of Islam!

Anonymous said...

"This is what the country has come to: a member of parliament proud of obeying the orders of the supreme leader! Then why don't they close the parliament, save lots of money in salaries, office spaces, securities, etc., and just obey the orders?"

Dear Uskowi
these kind of comments are low under.
ehy you are goiung crazy because Rafsanjani is not more chief of expert council ?

Anonymous said...

Democracy does not yet exist... every country of this world is either controlled by economists, ideological zealots, or self-centered dictators.I must admit that being one of those repressed by economists I do find a certain charm in an ideological driven state(mind you it is clear that many in Iran are in it for their own wellfare). Wathever happens in this Iran vs West standoff changes nothing to the fact that none on earth(save a few oligarches with money and position) have a say in their communities future. As a westerner I've been arrested more then my share for showing disagreement. have had my life put in the line(2 days witouth insuline can harm you when your life depends on it). And could name you dozens of my close friends who've had their right to protest removed by an army of prosecutors before being told it was actually a mistake and the criminal accusations dropped.
We should focus on making a true democracy here before claiming it for others, of course that is not what we really want...