DATE=7/15/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-235482
TITLE=IRAN POL (L/S VER)
BYLINE=RICHARD ENGEL
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: IRAN'S PRESIDENT HAS NOMINATED (EDS: WEDNESDAY) A NEW
INTERIOR MINISTER TO REPLACE THE ONE IMPEACHED LAST MONTH.
RICHARD ENGEL REPORTS FROM OUR MIDDLE EAST BUREAU THAT THE
PROPOSED MINISTER HAILS FROM PRESIDENT MOHAMMED KHATAMI'S
REFORMIST CAMP -- A GROUP THAT HAS BEEN UNDER ATTACK BY IRAN'S
CONSERVATIVE HARDLINERS.
TEXT: PRESIDENT KHATAMI NOMINATED ABDOLVAHED MOUSAVI-LARI TO
BE THE NEW INTERIOR MINISTER. LIKE THE FORMER MINISTER, MR.
MOUSAVI-LARI IS A PRO-KHATAMI MODERATE. IRAN'S PARLIAMENT VOTED
TO IMPEACH THE LAST MINISTER.
THE 44-YEAR-OLD CLERIC IS CURRENTLY VICE PRESIDENT FOR LEGAL AND
PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS. THE INTERIOR MINISTER'S MAIN TASK IS TO
MAINTAIN DOMESTIC ORDER.
THE PARLIAMENT MUST APPROVE MR. MOUSAVI-LARI'S NOMINATION BEFORE
HE CAN TAKE OFFICE. A VOTE IS EXPECTED ON JULY 22ND.
POLITICAL ANALYSTS IN IRAN SAY THAT PRESIDENT KHATAMI NEEDS THE
INTERIOR MINISTER AS AN ALLY TO COMPLETE HIS REFORMIST PROGRAM,
WHICH HAS WON HIM WIDESPREAD PUBLIC SUPPORT
//REST OPT FOR LONG// CONSERVATIVE HARDLINERS HAVE BEEN
CHALLENGING PRESIDENT KHATAMI'S SUPPORTERS SINCE HE TOOK OFFICE
AFTER A LANDSLIDE VICTORY IN MAY 1997. //SUB OPT// ANOTHER
KHATAMI SUPPORTER, THE MAYOR OF TEHRAN, IS ON TRIAL FOR
CORRUPTION CHARGES. //END SUB OPT//
HARDLINERS CONTROL IRAN'S ARMED FORCES, THE INTELLIGENCE MINISTRY
AND THE COUNTRY'S STATE-RUN MEDIA. (SIGNED)
NEB/RHE/PCF
15-Jul-98 9:19 AM EDT (1319 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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