DATE=7/22/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-235827
TITLE=IRAN / INTERIOR MINISTER (S&L)
BYLINE=RICHARD ENGEL
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: IRAN'S PARLIAMENT APPROVED THE APPOINTMENT OF A NEW
INTERIOR MINISTER TODAY (WEDNESDAY). THE APPOINTMENT IS BEING
HAILED AS A VICTORY FOR MODERATE PRESIDENT MOHAMMED KHATAMI, WHO
HAS BEEN BATTLING WITH IRAN'S CONSERVATIVE HARDLINERS. RICHARD
ENGEL REPORTS FROM OUR MIDDLE EAST BUREAU.
TEXT: IRAN'S PARLIAMENT APPROVED THE NOMINATION OF ABDOLVAHED
MOUSAVI-LARI AS IRAN'S NEW INTERIOR MINISTER BY AN OVERWHELMING
MAJORITY. THE 44-YEAR-OLD CLERIC IS A KEY ALLY OF MODERATE
PRESIDENT KHATAMI. HE PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS MR. KHATAMI'S VICE
PRESIDENT FOR LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS. MR.
MOUSAVI-LARI'S APPROVAL SEEMED ASSURED TUESDAY WHEN THE
PARLIAMENT'S MAJORITY LEADER RELUCTANTLY DECIDED NOT TO OPPOSE
THE NOMINATION.
IRAN HAS BEEN WITHOUT AN INTERIOR MINISTER SINCE LAST MONTH,
WHEN THE HARDLINER-DOMINATED PARLIAMENT VOTED TO IMPEACH THE LAST
INTERIOR MINISTER, WHO, LIKE MOUSAVI-LARI, IS A KEY ALLY OF
PRESIDENT KHATAMI. IRAN'S INTERIOR MINISTER IS IN CHARGE OF
MAINTAINING DOMESTIC ORDER.
///REST OPT FOR LONG ///
CONSERVATIVE HARDLINERS HAVE BEEN CHALLENGING PRESIDENT KHATAMI'S
SUPPORTERS SINCE HE TOOK OFFICE AFTER A LANDSLIDE VICTORY IN MAY
OF 1997. ANOTHER KHATAMI SUPPORTER, THE MAYOR OF TEHRAN, IS ON
TRIAL FOR CORRUPTION CHARGES. HARDLINERS ALREADY CONTROL THE
ARMED FORCES, THE INTELLIGENCE MINISTRY AND THE COUNTRY'S
STATE-RUN MEDIA.
POLITICAL ANALYSTS IN IRAN SAY PRESIDENT KHATAMI NEEDS THE
INTERIOR MINISTER AS AN ALLY TO COMPLETE HIS REFORMIST PROGRAM,
WHICH HAS WON HIM WIDESPREAD POPULARITY. (SIGNED)
NEB/RHE/PCF/WTW
22-Jul-98 5:49 AM EDT (0949 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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