http://www.khaleejtimes.com/displayArticle.asp?col=§ion=middleeast&xfile=data/middleeast/2005/May/middleeast_May257.xml
Rafsanjani keeps Iran guessing on presidential bid (Reuters) 9 May 2005 TEHERAN - Former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani kept Iran guessing on Monday about whether he would stand in next month's presidential elections, a vote polls indicate he would probably win. Official registration of candidates for the June 17 vote, which diplomats believe could influence how Iran approaches its nuclear standoff with the West, starts on Tuesday. But amid increasing hardline criticism of Rafsanjani, 70, who favours improved ties with the West and liberalisation of Iran's economy, close aides of the mid-ranking cleric said he would probably not make his intentions clear until Wednesday. Unlike other main contenders to replace reformist President Mohammad Khatami, who is barred by law from standing for a third consecutive term, Rafsanjani has expressed some reluctance to seek the post he held from 1989 to 1997. He has likened the decision to swallowing "bitter medicine" and said he would prefer not to have to stand. Opinion polls suggest he has a clear lead over his closest rival, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, 43, a more hardline conservative who was Iran's police chief from 2000 until last month. Political insiders say Rafsanjani's reticence reflects strong resistance from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who they say is unwilling to share the political stage with a president of Rafsanjani's stature. "Rafsanjani won't run. He won't be allowed to run," said one senior government official, who declined to be named. A hardline lawmaker accused one of Rafsanjani's sons on Sunday of bankrolling his father's presidential campaign with state funds. Mehdi Hashemi, who holds a senior post at Iran's state oil company, called the charge "sheer lies". High turnout stressed And on Monday the hardline Kayhan newspaper, seen as a mouthpiece for Khamenei's views, carried an editorial, which clearly suggested Rafsanjani should not run. "If we are looking for a high turnout by the people, new, young figures should run in the election," it said. "The candidacy of certain figures, who have shown whatever management power they had and now do not have any new plans or policy and perhaps are tired and not patient enough, cannot motivate people to take part in the election." Khamenei has stressed in several speeches in recent days that he is backing no particular candidate in the election. But he has said a high turnout is needed to counter anti-Iranian propaganda in the West at a time when Iran's nuclear programme is coming under increasing international scrutiny. Foreign diplomats say a victory by one of Rafsanjani's hardline rivals could harden Iran's stance in its negotiations with the European Union over the long-term future of its nuclear programme. Ali Larijani, an adviser to Khamenei whose candidacy has won the backing of the main coalition of hardline parties, has sharply criticised the EU-Iran nuclear talks in which he said Tehran had already given up a "pearl in exchange for a candy". Rafsanjani aides, meanwhile, have held many pre-election meetings with EU diplomats in which they have promised the wily politician would be able to deliver an acceptable agreement on the nuclear programme if elected. Political analysts, however, are sceptical that Rafsanjani would significantly alter Iran's approach on the nuclear issue and Khamenei has insisted whoever is elected would not give up Iran's drive to master nuclear technology. ------------------------ Yahoo! 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