Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=3/2/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAN/ELECTION (S-O)

NUMBER=2-300223

BYLINE=GREG LAMOTTE

DATELINE=CAIRO

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Reformists in Iran have suffered their first serious electoral losses since President Mohammad Khatami was elected six-years ago. V-O-A's Greg LaMotte reports from our Middle East Bureau on the results of the local council elections in Iran.

TEXT: With most of the votes counted from Friday's local council elections around the country, reformers acknowledged their movement was dealt a serious defeat.

Fourteen of the 15 seats on Tehran's city council were won by candidates from a conservative group known as Developers of Islamic Iran Coalition. The group promises to safeguard the achievements of the Islamic revolution.

Observers say the conservative victories and a low voter turnout - only 10-percent in Tehran - indicates growing public disappointment with the reform movement's ability to deliver meaningful change.

It was the first electoral upset for reformists since moderate President Mohammad Khatami was elected in a 1997 landslide victory. Mr. Khatami promised greater social freedom and democracy. But he has faced stiff opposition from religious hard-liners, who have considerable influence and power in Iran's key institutions, including its judiciary. (SIGNED)

NEB/GL/DW/TW/rae