DUSHANBE, June 29, 2009, Asia-Plus — The political situation that emerged in Iran following the presidential election was to be expected because quite a strong opposition emerged there lately, known Tajik lawyer and leader of the Social-Democratic Party (SDPT) Rahmatillo Zoirov said in an interview with Asia-Plus.
According to him, there are three main forces in Iran: clerics, intelligentsia and supporters of different movements that are of extremist nature to a varying extent. “Moreover, another considerable force with high intellectual potential is becoming stronger there – women’s movement,” said Mr. Zoirov, “I think Iran’s legislation regarding women will change in the coming three-five years.”
He says that that opposition’s disagreement over use of state machine in interest of the incumbent president could be felt already during elections.
“Mousavi had more supporters among the population than Ahmadinejad. However, when they asked me who will be the next president of Iran I said Ahmadinejad will win the election for the simple reason that he is incumbent president and the whole state machine supports him. Meanwhile, people dissatisfied with the present policy and the system as a whole are among all political offices of Iran, and therefore, emergence of various movements is reasonable.”
In his opinion, Ahmadinejad should have followed any compromise policy towards opposition straight after the election in order to avoid further aggravation of the situation. “Of course, the “island” of the movement has been prepared in advance, however, the main mass joined it after publication of the poll results,” said Zoirov, “Therefore, correct estimate by Ahmadinejad and his supporters of the situation and finding compromise solution might have prevented these events.”
Developments in Iran that have resulted from the disputed presidential election have both positive and negative aspects, Zoirov noted. “I think democracy has already won in Iran and it is the positive aspect. People already may express their dissatisfaction with authorities overtly,” said the expert, “The negative aspect is that emotionality that is characteristic of Iranians may lead to undesirable consequences.” “However, compromise will be reached for all that and the situation will be stabilized.”
“Intelligentsia in Iran has surprisingly high potential,” said Zoirov, “Today, intelligentsia is much stronger than clergy, although he country’s legislation, worked out in the religious spirit, is in favor of the last. That is why intelligentsia, especially the secular one, will be the lead force that will lead to compromise, preventing further bloodshed. There will be no a re-run of the votes or any political coup. However, the present situation is the cause of thought that next elections in Iran should be sustainable, democratic and transparent.”
