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Reform Is Arduous, But a Demand: Iranian President
Iranian President Mohammad Khatami admitted on Tuesday that the reform in this Islamic country is arduous, but still believes that such a reform is the real and historical demand of the people.
In a message marking the Iranian New Year on March 21, the president said that the Iranian nation will give a crushing response to all those opposing the Islamic revolution and those who do not understand their real and historical demands, which could only be realized through tranquility, moderation and patience.
However, the pro-reform president, who won the presidency by a landslide on May 23, 1997, admitted that his term has been hard and a heavy responsibility.
"A long way has been trodden since the start of reform in the country and even a longer way is ahead and there are many problems, both internal and external, on this way," he said.
When addressing the reformist-majority Majlis (parliament) earlier this month, Khatami expressed a strong desire to move ahead with his reform, but did not announce his plan to seek a second term as expected.
Khatami's four-year term in office nears expiry and the next presidential election is scheduled for June. He said in the address that individuals do not matter and the ultimate interests of the regime are what matter.
Despite his failure to fulfill all the promises he made in the presidential campaign due to the pressures from the conservatives, Khatami remains an advantage in the presidential campaign if he really wants to do so, local analysts said.
In Tuesday's message, he quoted Persian poetry as saying that " spring teaches man that winter does not last for ever and in the freezing winter of hatred and violence one can and must wait for spring of affection and justice."
The president said Iran seeks kindness along with decisiveness, security along with freedom, democracy along with commitment to religion, and progress along with justice.
"What will be effective and helpful in this respect are the Islamic faith and public endeavors," he said.
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