Posted on 12/18/2006 12:09:36 PM PST by Cyrus the Great
Dec 18, 2006 — TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran's biggest reformist party said on Monday President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had suffered a "decisive defeat" in nationwide elections last week due to his government's "authoritarian and inefficient methods."
The government's spokesman countered that by saying the government had no favored candidates in Friday's twin votes for local councils and a powerful clerical body known as the Assembly of Experts and was happy to work with the winners.
Political analysts said the elections, the first since Ahmadinejad's stunning 2005 presidential win, would have no immediate impact on policy in the Islamic state where Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has the last word on all matters.
But a poor showing for allies of the anti-Western president could give a stronger voice to more moderate voices in decision-making in future.
Vote counting in the major battleground Tehran continued for a third day on Monday, prompting government critics to express fears the delay could indicate possible tampering.
The results that have been announced suggest that moderate conservative and reformist candidates had, on the whole, fared better than close allies of Ahmadinejad although no one group could claim outright victory.
"The initial results of elections throughout the country indicate that Mr Ahmadinejad's list has experienced a decisive defeat nationwide," the pro-reform Islamic Iran Participation Front said in a statement.
"These results were tantamount to a big 'no' to the government's authoritarian and inefficient methods," it said.
Cyrus, Iran needs you more than ever.
More attempts to stall the west from acting. Anybody who believes these elections are real is an idiot.
There may be hope for Iran after all; the opposition party leaders don't seem to have been taken out back and shot...yet!
I don't care what the Khomeni apologists say. Iran needs the Pahlavi's back on the Peacock Throne.
Right. More Iran jive 2 step .
Ahmadinejad responded by asking his Secret Police to arrange a series of arrests and executions before the year is out.
That could mean the voters were dissatisfied that Israel was not yet destroyed.....or angry that Iran had not yet detonated a nuclear weapon over New York.
I am coming to believe the Iranian people don't have long to get that nation turned away from its current path.....if they wish to avoid a level of destruction unknown by the modern world..
Semper Fi
"Decisive defeat"?
How can anyone tell?
The controlling authority in Iran STILL wants Israel (the "Little Satan") dead, and they are still looking for a way to slay the US (the "Great Satan").
What we have is a squabble over tactics, not objectives.
Those that voted against the wackjob will be visited by his supporters in the dead of night and no longer seen again.
Oh, so there is still time for Ahmadinejad to pull it out.
... chicago style.
To bad the "winners" of Iranian elections that want a less authoritarian government tend to end up in jail rather than in office.
Good time for more pressure and action by Iranians?
Cyrus was a great Persian king...
*BUMP*! . . .
Indeed. Still, Ahmanutjob pounced on the opportunity to skewer the Bush administration over the Republicans' loss in November. Whether or not this is mere theatre, we should return the favor.
BTTT
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