Quote:
Khatami 'has insulted Khomeini'
Gulfnews: Khatami 'has insulted Khomeini'
05/09/2008 07:07 PM | By Anna Fifield and Najmeh Bozorgmehr, Financial Times
Tehran: Iranian politicians have become embroiled in a dispute over the foundations of the Islamic Republic, centring on what Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the republic's founder, meant 30 years ago when he talked of "exporting the revolution".
The debate was sparked when Mohammad Khatami, a former president, said Iran was never meant to "take up arms" to spread its ideals. His suggestion comes amid allegations that Tehran is supporting Shia militias in Iraq and is encouraging Hezbollah in Lebanon, as part of a strategy to destabilise the Middle East.
"What did Imam Khomeini mean by exporting the revolution?" the reformist Khatami, who retains significant support in Iran, especially among young people, asked in a speech to students.
"Did he mean that we take up arms, that we blow up places in other nations and we create groups to carry out sabotage in other countries? The imam was vehemently against this and was confronting it."
His comments sparked a furious reaction among conservatives, who accused Khatami of making unpatriotic comments.
Gulfnews: Khatami 'has insulted Khomeini' |
This is a remarkable act of courage on the part of Khatami.
He is challenging the Iranian campaign of global aggression and conquest, which is the very hallmark of Ahmadinejad's Presidency.
Keep your eyes peeled for news about Khatami and the crowds he may be attracting with his non-aggressive views.
There are more than a couple of posters who have sought to impress upon us how much the Iranian people like America and do not support the hard liners in Tehran.
NOW is the time for them to stand up for Khatami's ideas.
But now is also the time for the Western press to run with this story but the MSM hasn't made any mention of it that I've seen or heard. People in America should be out in the streets protesting in support of Khatami but there has been zero notice taken on the part of the Western press.
