Posted on 05/27/2005 3:38:46 AM PDT by DoctorZIn
Top News Story
Rafsanjani with big lead in Iran presidential poll
Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, an experienced pragmatist portrayed by aides as capable of solving Iran's nuclear standoff with the West, held a big lead in a new opinion poll for June 17 presidential elections, newspapers said on Thursday.
But Rafsanjani, 70, who is bidding to regain the post he held from 1989 to 1997, was still well short of the 50 percent support he needs to avoid facing a run-off vote, the poll showed.
The survey comes a day after the European Union and Iran agreed to a two-month breathing space in their nuclear talks, deferring any possible showdown until well after the election.
The opinion poll, conducted in Tehran on May 20 and 21 by the Iranian Students Polling Agency, showed 36.2 percent of respondents said they would vote for Rafsanjani, the moderate Donya-ye Eqtesad and conservative Resalat newspapers reported.
Trailing in second place with 12.2 percent was conservative Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, a former Revolutionary Guards commander and national police chief who is standing as an independent.
Next came hardline conservative Ali Larijani with eight percent, moderate cleric Mehdi Karroubi with 6.3 percent, hardline Tehran mayor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad with 5.7 percent and outspoken reformist Mostafa Moin with five percent.
The size of the survey sample was not given but the poll broadly echoed results of similar surveys released in recent weeks.
Nevertheless, political analysts warn that opinion polls in Iran are often unreliable and subject to manipulation by partisans of particular candidates. ...
Political commentators in local newspapers speculate that some of the less popular candidates may drop out of the race before the vote.DoctorZin:
In a real and fair election, Rafsanjani wouldn't have a chance at the Presidency. FYI: The last time Rafsanjani ran for office, in their parliamentary elections, he couldn't even win a seat in parliament.
- United Press International reports that the United States will be watching carefully to see what happens in Iran's Presidential elections.
- Reuters reports that the danger of a nuclear holocaust may never have been greater, yet the 188 signatories to the global pact against nuclear weapons have rarely been more divided.
- CBC News reports that Canada's recent designation of the MEK as a terrorist organization is meant to appease Iran, say MP's.
- Iran va Jahan reports that there are increasing signs of better international linkages with individuals and organization interested in advancing the cause of liberty and human rights in Iran.
- Iran Focus reports that a warrant officer of Iran'’s Revolutionary Guards shot to death a young man in cold blood, sparking off widespread clashes between angry protesters and security forces.
- Iran Press Service reports that whether they run or not, in the elections, reformists face a disaster.
- Iran Focus reports that Amnesty International, in its 2005 annual report strongly criticised Iran'’s theocratic regime.
- WorldNetDaily.com reports that the names and faces of Iranian students planning demonstrations against the radical cleric-led regime will be made known to the White House to help ensure their protection.
- Radio Free Europe reports that Iran, EU still far apart on nuclear issues.
- The Guardian reports that Pakistan delivered uranium enrichment components for analysis by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
- WorldTribune.com examines Iran and the new East-West strategic polarization.
- And finally, The Blue State Conservatives reported that Amnesty International has released its newest report on global human rights abuses and you'll never guess what's right at the top of the list. It wasn't Iran.
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Iran Press news in their persian section say that Moein
s party has declared that they would not boycott the election (as they had said they would) but Moeen himself according to sedaye Iran radio will not say so until saturday.
Some persian blogs are saying : "we boycott and then what? what will happen? who would be in charge?"
It'll still be the hardliners and we are still screwed.
PRESIDENT BUSH NEEDS TO COMMENT on these elections and support a Boycott for the world to see. The iranians need to hear that.
Akbar Gangi ( investigative reporter that revealed Rafsanjani's involvement in political prisoner and dissident killings) still on hunger strike while the government denies his health is bad(which is deterriorating everyday.)
this according to Radio Sedaye Iran.
Well, they are Regime made reformers.
Do you expect them to wish for destruction of the regime?
The so-called reformists are worse than Radicals.
People worry he is gonna die!
He is a brave guy. I read his books and I admire him!
the cause of Ganji is enough for a revolution in itself. Reporters without borders just released a statement as well.
http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=13945
I am very frustrated by the damn mullahs. 26 years of misery....
BUMP FOR YOU!
IRAN: WOMEN PROTEST AGAINST SPORT DISCRIMINATION
AKI
May 27th
Tehran, 27 May (AKI) - Over the last few days dozens of women have been holding sit-in demonstrations in front of sports facilities in the Iranian capital Tehran, to protest against what they call sporting injustice, reports the Iranian news agency ISNA. "We are calling for equal opportunities and free access to all disciplines and all facilities," said a leaflet distributed by the protestors.
The women are also demanding to be allowed to attend sports events. In the Islamic Republic, with the exception of rare occasions, the spectators must be of the same sex as those playing the sport, meaning women are banned from attending male football matches and vice versa.
One of the women participating in the protest in front of the Shiroudi sports facility said that the rallies will continue until they are given a complete answer from the authorities.
http://www.adnki.com/index_2Level.php?cat=Sport&loid=8.0.171783416&par=0
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