Ahmad Shirzad is a former reformist deputy and member of the Islamic Participation Front’s [“Hezb-e Mosharekat-e Eslami”] central committee. In an exclusive interview with Rooz, he shares his views on the right-wing camp’s intensified maneuvers last week, attacks on former president Khatami’s provincial visits, student arrests and charges accusing critics of involvement in foreign conspiracies. Shirzad, who holds a PhD in Physics from Sharif Industrial University, says, “The effects of sanctions pale in comparison to the damage that this administration has inflicted on the nation as a result of its inept management and economic policy.” Below is an excerpt of the interview.
Rooz (R): In your opinion, why is former president Khatami making provincial visits?
Ahmad Shirzad (AS): Fortunately, unlike many other figures that were involved in the political scene but retired themselves completely after finishing their terms, Mr. Khatami likes to be involved in Iran’s political scene even after having finished his term. This does not mean that he intends to run for office in upcoming Majlis [“Parliament”] or presidential elections. But evidence suggests that Mr. Khatami prefers to be present on the scene as a prominent figure among reformists, as one who can help to unite and organize them.
R: Can one expect the reformists to compete in a somewhat equal setting and enjoy the kind of popular support that Mr. Khatami received in 1997?
AS: If you are asking whether elections can be free in an absolute sense, as they are in democratic countries, that will definitely not happen. But if there is enough social pressure and the public shows interest then experience proves that there will be fewer vetted candidates, although the conservatives have always used this tool to their benefit and changed the game by disqualifying potential candidates. But if the election atmosphere is warmer and the political scene is more heated, then they can use that tool in a more limited manner – it won’t get to zero, but the situation will be better.
R: In that case you do not regard the recent arrests of students and civil society activists to be unrelated to the conservatives’ plans for the future, or at least the plans of their most radical faction?
AS: The aim of such pressures is to create an atmosphere of hopelessness and despair. But it is not always clear that such methods will produce the desired outcome, especially if we witness a more vibrant student movement as the academic year kicks off. In that case, they will get the opposite outcome.
R: In your opinion, how does ignoring such measures as United Nations sanctions affect domestic political disputes?
AS: If a very serious confrontation takes place with Iran, it is possible that the ruling faction will run into problems in the long run because of the economic problems that will afflict the country. But, in the short run, it will use foreign threats to its benefit, because it takes a while for the effects of sanctions to become clear. I believe that the effects of sanctions pale in comparison to the damage that this administration has inflicted on the nation as a result of its inept management and economic policy. These sanctions may help the government by allowing it to blame some of its shortcomings on foreign pressure. I think that if this administration is left alone people will recognize its ineptitude more quickly than if it is placed under external pressure.”
