DATE=2/11/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=IRAN ELECTIONS (L)
NUMBER=2-259054
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Hundreds of thousands of Iranians have rallied
in cities across the country to mark the 21st
anniversary of the Iranian revolution. V-O-A
Correspondent Scott Bobb reports from our Middle East
Bureau that this year's anniversary comes as
campaigning begins for parliamentary elections next
Friday (2/18).
TEXT: Hundreds of thousands of people in Tehran
Friday set aside political differences in the run-up
to next week's elections and rallied in the capital's
Freedom (Azadi) Square to renew their commitment to
the Iranian revolution.
Religious music played from speakers around the square
and the crowd chanted slogans against America and
Israel, recalling the turbulent months that marked the
end of the Iranian monarchy and the formation of an
Islamic state.
President Mohammed Khatami told the crowd the Iranian
revolution was a revolution of the youth, but he said
it belongs to all Iranians. He urged them to turn out
in large numbers to vote in next week's parliamentary
elections, which are being viewed as a referendum on
the president's program of social and political
change.
A one-week campaign began Thursday for the elections
in which reformist factions backing the president are
seeking to take control of Iran's parliament. The
parliament has been dominated by religious
conservatives who believe the reformist agenda will
undermine the principles of the Iranian revolution.
More than six thousand candidates are vying for the
290 seats in the assembly, or majlis. Several
political blocks have presented lists of candidates.
Virtually all advocate some degree of change,
responding to widespread voter dissatisfaction over
the economy and government inefficiency.
/// OPT ///
An estimated two-thirds of the voters are under the
age of 25 years. They are credited with President
Khatami's landslide victory in presidential elections
nearly three years ago.
During his campaign, President Khatami promised
greater social and political freedoms and observers
note he has delivered on some of the promises.
However, his efforts have been resisted -- sometimes
violently -- by conservatives who believe ultimate
political power should remain in the hands of senior
religious leaders.
/// END OPT ///
Nearly 600 primarily reformist candidates were
disqualified by a vetting committee on the grounds of
not respecting Islamic values or Iranian religious
leaders.
/// REST OPT ///
Iranian officials have also reacted angrily to remarks
by U-S officials who said they hope the elections will
lead to improved relations. The supreme religious
leader has called the remarks interference in Iran's
internal affairs and urged a massive voter turnout
next Friday. (Signed)
NEB/SB/GE/LTD/JO
11-Feb-2000 09:32 AM EDT (11-Feb-2000 1432 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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