Clerical Group Defies Leader on Disputed Iran Election
New York Times / Michael Slackman and Nazila Fathi
04-Jul-2009 (3 comments)

The most important group of religious leaders in Iran has called the disputed presidential election and the new government illegitimate, an act of defiance against the country’s supreme leader and the most public sign of a major split in the country’s clerical establishment. The statement by the Association of Researchers and Teachers of Qum represents a significant, if so far symbolic, setback for the government and especially the authority of the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whose word is supposed to be final. The government has tried to paint the opposition and its top presidential candidate, Mir Hussein Moussavi, as criminals and traitors, a strategy that now becomes more difficult — if not impossible.“This crack in the clerical establishment and the fact they are siding with the people and Moussavi in my view is the most historic crack in the 30 years of the Islamic republic,” said Abbas Milani, director of the Iranian ... >>>

Ali Lakani

Qom speaks up

by Ali Lakani on Sat Jul 04, 2009 07:11 PM PDT

A very serious defiance indeed.


Balatarin
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Rafsanjani's plot

by The fox (not verified) on Sun Jul 05, 2009 11:05 AM PDT

I agree with DK.

I believe all this development is due to Rafsanjani's behind-the-scenes actions.


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Darius Kadivar

Rafsanjani is plotting his return ...

by Darius Kadivar on Sun Jul 05, 2009 12:28 AM PDT

This is a very serious turning point. Now whether it will be dealt without violence or if they will be openly fighting one another is the real question. I don't see how Khamenei could step down now. But there will certainly be interesting developments in the weeks to come.


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