We Will Not Participate in the Parliamentary “Appointments”
Spokesman for Mojahedin-e Enghelab Organization Speaks to Rooz - 2008.01.26
Nader Irani
Mohsen Armin is the former head of the National Security Committee in the sixth Majlis and the spokesperson for the reformist Mojahedin-e Enghelab Organization (Islamic Revolution Mojahedin group). In an exclusive interview with Rooz, Armin announces that his organization’s goal is to get the regime to accept minimal competitive conditions for elections: “If we can reach that goal, we will participate in the elections, even if they are held below a satisfactory level. But if the chance to compete is taken away from us, we will not participate in the elections.”
Expanding on what he means by minimal competitive conditions, Armin says, “Even if we are able to provide a slate of candidates, we will not participate in the elections if the disqualification process makes us unable to provide a slate that is competitive with other slates.”
Armin adds, “if we are put in a situation where it is not possible for us to provide a slate that has competitive potential, the organization will certainly not participate in the elections.”
Armin, who also serves on the Mojahedin-e Enghelab’s central committee, continues, “we welcome every election, and do our best to hold relatively free elections. But if we cannot, we will not be going to legitimize the sham of 'elections' to the benefit of the hardliners. We plan to participate in elections, but not in selections.”
“If they want to hold elections with predetermined results,” says Armin, “the organization will certainly not take part in that.”
In response to a question about which of the possible routes of boycott, silence, unconditional participation and conditional participation the organization will take, Armin says, “our stance varies from active participation to boycott with inclination. We have to see which position is compatible with the conditions that we face – especially with respect to the qualification process.”
Referring to threats facing the nation, Armin says, “I prefer the slogan ‘coalition to save Iran.’ I think this is an overarching slogan that can be useful in economic, political, cultural, social, domestic and foreign affairs, because the country is threatened right by policies that are pursued in every field.”
