Iran's Larijani distances himself from Ahmadinejad Tehran (AFP) Feb 6, 2008 Iran's former nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani said on Wednesday he resigned due to "ideological" differences with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and criticised the government's economic policies. Larijani, a conservative but no natural ally of Ahmadinejad, is standing for parliament in March 14 elections and may appear on a list separate from that of hardliners loyal to the president. In an interview with the ISNA news agency, Larijani warned over Ahmadinejad's expansionary economic policies which many economists see as the prime cause of the current high inflation in Iran. "By throwing around money, we cannot have development," he said in rare comments on economic policy. "Development will only happen if the production is done by the people. This will not be realised by throwing around money and increasing liquidity, this will only result in inflation." Economists say the government has stoked inflation by ploughing cash into the economy to fund local infrastructure projects promised by Ahmadinejad on his provincial trips. Larijani, who has on occasion shown a pragmatic streak, also made his most candid comments on the differences with Ahmadinejad that led to his resignation as top nuclear negotiator last year. "We had differences in that issue, they were ideological differences," he said, referring to Iran's nuclear standoff with the West. "I thought that the differences would be damaging and thus I resigned. I do not have any animosity towards anyone." Larijani, who remains an influential figure as the representative of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Iran's Supreme National Security Council, is tipped to head a list called the Broad and Popular Coalition of Principalists. The coalition has been formed with his allies and those of two other heavyweight conservatives -- Tehran mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and ex-Revolutionary Guards chief Mohsen Rezaie. Some observers have seen the list as a rival to the United Principalists Front conservative coalition, which includes allies of Ahmadinejad. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com All about missiles at SpaceWar.com Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com Iran vows to win nuclear tussle with West Tehran (AFP) Jan 30, 2008 A defiant President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Wednesday that Tehran was nearing its target of producing nuclear energy and launched a new tirade against Israel as world powers seek to impose new sanctions on Iran. |
|
The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2007 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |