DATE=2/28/2000
TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
TITLE=IRAN STUDENTS
NUMBER=5-45529
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=TEHRAN
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Reformers won an overwhelming victory in
Iran's recent elections, thanks in large part to the
major role students played in the elections.
Correspondent Scott Bobb talked with some Iranian
student leaders about the elections and about
their aspirations for the new parliament.
TEXT: Election day was chilly in Tehran, but people
still turned out in record numbers to elect a
reformist parliament by what would prove to be a
landslide.
As polls began to close that night, students standing
in the cold night air outside a mobile polling station
talked about their hopes for the next parliament, or
majlis.
Zahr Kharsani says the Iranian people have many
problems that need addressing.
/// KHARSANI ACT ///
Everything, our society, and the economic
problems, and everything. The people are under
pressure now.
/// END ACT ///
Reza Talebari, a mechanical engineering student, says
the presidential election three years ago marked the
first big victory (for the reformers) -- people
delivered what he calls a "big no" to the forces of
repression and monopoly. That election, he says,
brought reform to the executive branch of government.
This election will bring reform to the legislative
branch. After that, he says, the next target will be
the judiciary, which is still controlled by Islamic
conservatives.
///TALEBARI ACT. IN FARSI WITH ENGLISH TRANSLATION///
(Laughs) It's not that hard you know. Gradually,
little by little, once our good representatives
find their way into the majlis, gradually they
start whispering about the essential things.
(Laughing) And it's not farfetched to think of
changing our constitution.
/// END ACT ///
Student protests led the Iranian revolution 21 years
ago. And Iranian observers say student protests last
July boosted the shift toward reform in the Iranian
electorate.
A leader of the students' union at Tehran's Khajeh-
Nassir Toosi University, Jamal Zaherpour, does not
believe the Iranian revolution has ended. But Mr.
Zaherpour, a graduate civil engineering student, says
there are deep problems.
///ZAHERPOUR ACT IN FARSI WITH ENGLISH TRANSLATION///
There have been deviations from the principles
of the revolution. There have been mistakes.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Zaherpour cites as an example special courts that
have been used to imprison reformist clerics and
journalists. And he notes that, over the years,
special privileges have been granted to some members
of society. At the same time, he says the people
became disillusioned and participated less and less in
politics.
A colleague, electrical engineering student Soheil
Tajbakhsh, says the wave of reform was partly a
reaction to the previous parliament, the fifth majlis.
///TAJBAKHSH ACT. IN FARSI WITH ENGLISH TRANSLATION///
During the fifth majlis some laws were passed
which were not in accordance with the people's
need. We want the annulation (annulment) of
those laws. And also we want laws passed to
ensure freedom of the press and freedom in
society, and also providing reforms for the
economic situation.
/// END ACT ///
In a bare conference room at the national alliance of
student unions, called the Student Consolidation
Office, spokesman Nimo Fateh discusses the
overwhelming victory by the reform movement.
///FATEH ACT. IN FARSI WITH ENGLISH TRANSLATION///
This is basically an evolution of the
revolution. To us, to the students, there are
three important slogans, the Islamic republic,
independence and freedom. And anytime any of
these are distorted or are threatened, then
there's a reaction.
/// END ACT ///
Many student leaders say the revolution was hijacked
from them. They say the Islamic character of Iran is
important, but they want to revitalize the ideals of
the constitution to guarantee greater social freedom
and freedom of expression and political activity.
At the polls on election evening, a student named
Abedin Farahani predicted the election for Iran's
sixth parliament would be a historic event.
/// FAREHANI ACT IN FARSI WITH ENGLISH TRANSLATION ///
We are at an important moment in our history.
The reforms have already started. And if we
continue the trend of reforms, we think we will
reach a point where we will have democracy and
freedom.
/// END ACT ///
Most student leaders urge caution. They note the
student movement was set back last year because of
violent protests that led to the imprisonment of many
leaders. As a result, they support gradual reform
because they say the conservatives are still strong.
(Signed)
NEB/SB/GE/KL
28-Feb-2000 13:09 PM EDT (28-Feb-2000 1809 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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