[Compiled by Ali Alfoneh; (E) signifies English link]
Politics
- Hosseini receives a vote of confidence in the parliament as Minister of Economy of Fnance, Behbahani receives vote of confidence as Minister of Roads and Transportation and Kordan receives a vote of confidence as Interior Minister.
- Ahmadinejad defends the three ministers he presented to the parliament: “The three dear ones who have been presented to you are three devout people loyal towards the Revolution [and have] a long record of serving the Revolution. What resemblance is there between Mr. Behbahani with the ministers of [the time of] the revolt against God [the Shah’s era?]… The honorable Hosseini is the result of the Revolution, and has therefore been appointed. And the honorable Kordan has sacrificed thirty years of his life serving the Revolution in very important responsibilities.”
- Ahmadinejad refuted rumors that he has had a hard time convincing the Supreme Leader to accept his nominees.
- Kayhan editor Shari’atmadari disputes Ahmadinejad’s version of his consultations with the Supreme Leader:
- “Yesterday, my dear brother Dr. Ahmadinejad, the honorable president for whom I have great respect, made a reference to a sentence allegedly said by the Supreme Leader of the Revolution regarding cabinet ministers. This author has exact knowledge of the affair, and I know and I do not doubt the least that unfortunately this reference is false and unreal and is contrary to the opinion of the Supreme Leader of the Revolution. The difference is close to negation. If Mr. Ahmadinejad excuses me, it must be said that in his speech yesterday, the real opinion of the Lord [Khamenei] was forged to leave the impression that the Supreme Leader of the Revolution not only totally agrees with the minister suggested by Mr. Ahmadinejad, but has even encouraged members of the parliament to give them a vote of confidence!
- It is no surprise that the honorable members of the parliament, who consider themselves students of the Supreme Leader and obey him regardless of their opinion, have given a vote of confidence to the ministers. There are two exceptions. Those who were aware of the true words of the Lord and second, those parliamentarians who are aware of the general opinion and deeds of the Supreme Leader of the Revolution and naturally, but also wisely, have deemed the reference false.”
- The Supreme Leader’s Office issues a public statement stressing that the Supreme Leader has not “objected” to the ministers appointed by president Ahmadinejad.
- Tehran parliamentarian Ali-Reza Zakani says a number of his colleagues had sworn to God that they interpreted the Iranian president’s words in such a way that the Supreme Leader has ordered the parliamentarians to give a vote of confidence to the Iranian president’s three candidates for cabinet portfolios.
- Following Ahmadinejad’s claim that pamphlets have been distributed among parliamentarians as a psychological warfare scheme against his government and the three ministers he has presented to the parliament, 200 parliamentarians sign a declaration that they have not received such pamphlet!
- Tehran parliamentarian Elias Naderan says Ahmadinejad and his supporters lied in yesterday’s debate on vote of confidence for Interior Minister Kordan. In the face of several accusations against Kordan, the president and his supporters claimed the Intelligence Ministry had rejected all the accusations, but Naderan has contacted the Intelligence Ministry, which claims it has never received an inquiry regarding the qualification of the interior minister Kordan.
- Alef News Agency publishes correspondence with the Student Administration Section at University of Oxford, in which the manager of the section Jeremy Drew writes that newly appointed minister of interior Ali Kordan “has not been awarded an Honorary Degree from this University,” and that Kordan, contrary to his claims, has not received a doctoral degree from Oxford.
- In a press statement, Association of Independents condemns appointment of Ali Kordan as minister of interior and criticize the process leading to a vote of confidence in the parliament.
- Presidential advisor for executive affairs Sa’id-Lour says some elements, especially the “mafia of gold and might” try their best to spread hopelessness among the people and wage psychological warfare against the government.
Religion, Culture, and Society
- Ali Rabi’i, social Affairs advisor to the government, says immorality is more dangerous to the Iranian society than military threats.
Economy
- Rafsanjani urges the Ahmadinejad government to ease the “shock” resulting from its announced policy to transform subsidies into direct cash transfer to Iranian citizens.
Trade
- (E) Iran, Turkey agree on gas deal details.
Diplomacy
- Commenting the nuclear issue Rafsanjani said “the foreigners have never ceased plotting against Iran.”
- (E) Iranian border police chief meets Azeri counterpart.
- (E) Algerian president to visit Tehran on Saturday.
Photo of the Day
