Mohsen Rezai: Voter turnout will exceed 25m
IranMania News
Jan, 1st 2005
London
LONDON, Jan 1 (IranMania) - More than 25 mln people will take part in the upcoming presidential election slated for May 2005, Iran's secretary of State Expediency Council predicted.
Addressing members of political groups and university students in Zabol (in Sistan-Baluchestan province) on Thursday, Mohsen Rezai noted that what is good about the upcoming presidential election is the fact that political factions have agreed to let people decide about the candidates, IRNA reported.
"In other countries, elections resemble a two-phase university entrance exam. People choose candidates in the first phase and then elect the president or lawmakers depending on the kind of election in the second phase," he said.
Rezai also said that political groups have realized it will be in their own interest to take wise decisions.
Commenting on the country's 20-year Perspective, Rezai noted that this perspective will be implemented in the country in 2005 and provides guidelines for Iran's future.
http://www.iranmania.com/News/ArticleView/Default.asp?NewsCode=28251&NewsKind=Current%20Affairs
Iran sends emergency aid to Tsunami victims
Persian Journal
Jan 1, 05
Iranian mission in Indonesia announced that first Iranian aid cargo is to be sent to the quake-hit area in Indonesia.
The contingent contains tents, foodstuff, clothes and medicines weighting 41,000 tons.
Iranian diplomat in Jakarta said more relief aid got on the way into the quake-hit area.
On Thursday, Iran has sent an aid cargo to Thailand weighting 23 tons.
http://www.iranian.ws/iran_news/publish/article_5216.shtml