Omid Memarian ‎
omid@memarian.info

In an interview with Rooz, sixth Majlis representative Ali Mazroui discussed recent ‎attacks by conservatives directed at former president Khatami for his latest remarks, ‎including “By 'exporting the revolution,' Ayatollah Khamenei did not mean that that we ‎take up arms and blow up places in other nations.” According to Mazroui, the ‎conservatives have intensified their attacks on Khatami because they fear that he would ‎run in the next presidential election, particularly with the wake-up call that conservatives ‎received in the Majlis elections. Below is an excerpt of this interview. ‎

Rooz (R): What is the reason behind the conservative camp’s attacks against Mr. ‎Kahtami, after he spoke about the correct meaning of exporting the revolution and the ‎need to refrain from interfering in affairs of other nations? ‎

Ali Mazroui (AM): In my opinion, this is not a new development. The conservatives are ‎terrified by the prospect of the upcoming presidential election, because they fear that Mr. ‎Khatami may be a possible candidate. Therefore, they are waiting for Mr. Khatami to say ‎something so that they can attack him. This results from a very difficult situation that the ‎conservatives are currently faced with. Mr. Khatami's popularity is increasing with each ‎passing day, particularly in light of the Majlis and administration's weak performance. ‎Currently, because a majority of people in society view Mr. Khatami as a savior and ‎expect him to rescue them out of the present situation, they are taking such positions and ‎are willing to attack Khatami’s character as much as possible. ‎

R: Is Mr. Khatami’s characterization of the correct meaning of “exporting the ‎revolution” an attack on those who promote interfering in affairs of other countries as a ‎means of exporting the revolution? ‎

AM: Mr. Khatami’s political ideology is clear and built on reducing tensions with other ‎nations. Furthermore, Mr. Khatami has brought up the point that exporting the revolution ‎does not mean interfering in affairs of other nations. Rather, it means being a successful ‎role model that other nations, particularly Muslim nations, would willingly want to ‎follow. ‎

R: In your opinion, how much of Mr. Khatami’s speech is constituted by criticism of the ‎Ahmadinejad Administration’s foreign policy? ‎

AM: Obviously, Mr. Khatami does not support what is presented by the Ahmadinejad ‎Administration as an offensive foreign policy. That much is clear. This policy has ‎brought nothing to our country other than sanctions and pressure. Therefore, it is clear ‎that Mr. Khatami does not agree with this policy. Although in his latest remarks Khatami ‎did not explicitly mention this policy, one can discern from the general framework of Mr. ‎Khatami and reformists’ thoughts that they do not agree with such confrontational ‎policies. ‎

R: Is it possible for attacks against Mr. Khatami to become more intense in the coming ‎months? ‎

AM: Undoubtedly. The conservatives are quite worried by the prospect of Mr. ‎Khatami’s return to the political scene. In fact, they are terrified by it. It is natural that ‎they would employ all their ability and resources to destroy Mr. Khatami’s character and ‎undermine his popularity through negative campaigning. However, given the pre- and ‎post- 2 Khordad [day of reformist victory in 1997 presidential election] experience, such ‎negative tactics would not only not diminish Mr. Khatami’s popularity, but actually ‎increase it. ‎