Khatami off to a shaky start

By Kesava Menon

MANAMA (BAHRAIN) AUG. 15. If there was any hope that Iran's President, Mr. Mohammed Khatami, would be bolder in pushing through with his reform programme in his second term than he was in the first, the Cabinet list that he has announced does not strengthen it.

Allocation of some of the portfolios, especially those pertaining to strategic affairs are not fully in the President's control.

But the reformers are disappointed with the Ministers that Mr. Khatami has chosen for the departments that look after Economic and Social Affairs.

Among those Mr. Khatami has retained in his cabinet are the Foreign Minister, Mr. Kamal Kharazzi, the Defence Minister, Admiral Ali Shamkhani, the Interior Minister, Mr. Abdolvahed Mousavi-Lari, the Intelligence Minister, Mr. Ali Yunesi, the Oil Minister, Mr. Bijan Namdar Zangeneh, and Culture and Islamic Guidance Minister, Mr. Ahmed Masjed-Jameii.

While Mr. Khatami has not had any trouble from these Ministers during his first term it is surprising that he has once again chosen Admiral Shamkhani for a post in his Cabinet.

The Defence Minister had contested the Presidential election against Mr. Khatami and during the campaign had criticised Mr. Khatami for being indecisive.

Opposition has been more vocal in respect of those Mr. Khatami has chosen to head the Economic and Social Affairs Ministries.

Mr. Tahmash Mazaheri who has been newly chosen for the Ministry of Finance and Economic affairs has been singled out for criticism.

Although he had at one time managed one of the boniyads (or perhaps because he had) critics have pointed out that he is not reputed for his skills in economic management.

Reformers also feel that Mr. Khatami has not been radical enough in his choice of other four new Ministers chosen to head the departments of Transport, Health, Labour and Co- operation.

All the other Ministers are old hands except that the former Co- operation Minister, Mr. Morteza Haji, has been shifted to the Education department. Parliament will begin voting from next Saturday on this panel of Ministers.

The whole process of confirming each of these Ministers would have taken a week in normal circumstances. But with the reform groups restive the process might take a bit longer than that and there is a chance that some on the panel may not win approval.

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