Posted on 10/10/2007 9:08:01 PM PDT by humint
TEHRAN (AFP) — Iran's supreme leader said the country's political establishment should be open to criticism, following a rare protest against President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, state radio reported on Wednesday.
"We should be wary of the day when our young people in universities do not have the motivation to raise questions, issues and demands," Ali Khamenei told a group of students and political activists on Tuesday night.
"If sometimes we have said there should be no opposition to the country's officials, this does not mean there should be no criticism," Khamenei said. "This applies to the leadership too."
Khamenei's comments came two days after a group of students staged a protest against the hardline Ahmadinejad at Tehran University, calling him a "dictator" over a crackdown against student activists.
And even the supreme leader voiced criticism of the current government.
"I have supported (previous) governments. I support this government too. This also does not mean that I approve of every detail of the work that is being done," Khameini said.
Criticism of the authority of the supreme leader -- who has the final word on all matters of state in the Islamic republic -- is a punishable crime.
Criticism, suggestions and prayers should be written down with your name and address at the bottom. The box for submissions is located at the Jamkaran Mosque. The Twelfth Imam will get back to you...
If this guy was serious, he'd release his political prisoners... else, resignation please!
Iran’s leader: You suck.
bttt - mullacracy softening up.
TO: Iran Leader, Khameni
FROM: human intelligence
SUBJECT: American Flag Burning and Anti American Propaganda, Your Religious Wars, Your National Economy
CRITICISM: Cut it out! Stop playing the victim. Stop calling the United States an empire when it's not an empire. Stop trying to build an empire, which was Khomeini's overt vision, not yours. It's obvious you've taken Allah hostage to enhance your earthly powers. Building armies in the name of God always results in the slaughter of hundreds of thousands. It's already happened once under your leadership. Cut it out! Start passing economic reforms now. Set a target per capita GNP at around $10,000 by the year 2012 or sooner. Remove subsidies on commodities immediately and instead provide cash advances directly to the Iranian people. They know how to spend their money better than you do. And finally, Supreme Leadership? Who are you trying to impress? God? Everything I've ever learned about Almighty God is telling me to reject your words and actions. It realy doesn't matter what you think you're doing. You are twisting God's words to satisfy your own lust for power. Cut it out!
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