In reality, the most important consideration that motivate me to ask Mr. Khatami from the beginning not to enter the race, was my particular analysis of Iran’s present conditions; conditions which Mr. Khatami could not affect at all and to which he would have fallen victim.
There is no justification for the fact that certain of Mr. Khatami’s supporters are angry with him. They must be angry with themselves because they tried to impose an impossible task on him. A realistic man, he was aware of the impossibility of that task more than any of his supporters.
Mr. Khatami should not feel guilty either because, in this world, everyone has responsibilities corresponding to his or her abilities, and seeking more is irresponsible and immoral.
In any case, Mr. Khatami has quit the race and the reformists cannot hide their structural and historical weaknesses behind Mr. Khatami’s personality. The upcoming election may present an opportunity to overcome some of those weaknesses, or it may not. It depends on what the reformists intend to do.
The reformists are facing various options at present. They can:
1. Support Mr. Mousavi as requested by Mr. Khatami;
2. Convince Mr. Mousavi to step aside in favor of Mr. Karoubi;
3. Introduce a new figure to enter the race;
4. Leave the race and decide not to participate in the election; and finally,
5. Pursue Abdollah Nouri and request that he enters the race to preserve and consolidate the reformist discourse.
In effect, those are the only five options.
Therefore, which option the totality of forces known – as suggested by Mr. Khatami – as those “seeking change” will pursue would provide a realistic assessment of their capabilities in the transparent environment left behind following Mr. Khatami’s departure.
Would they choose the easiest and thus the least influential option, or would they seek the hardest but most influential option?
Certainly, choosing any of the above-mentioned options, coupled with an honest explanation of their repercussions, is politically and ethically permissible. However, what is not ethically permissible is choosing the easiest option and presenting it to the public as the most influential one!
