A movement divided

OSC has translated an interesting interview with top Iranian politician Mohsen Rezai. In the interview (included below)—published by a hardline Persian daily—Rezai talks about the current state of the hardline (“principlist”) faction and proposes changes for the upcoming presidential elections.

Rezai isolates the current factionalism taking place among hardliners, suggesting that these divisions will hurt the camp in the next election. He argues:

"The most dangerous factor threatening the principle-ist movement is egotism and a turning away from working together; this factor can bring great harm to the movement, especially at election time. Self-centrism at election time will develop into despotism."

Rezai also stresses a pragmatic approach to religious politics, suggesting: “real and pure Islam is based on two bedrocks: the first is being divine and working for God; while the second is acting logically and rationally."

Rezai’s comments come at an important juncture for hardliners. As the Ahmadinejad regime limps toward the 2009 elections, other hardline leaders are jockeying for influence within the movement. Chief among these is Majles (parliament) speaker, Ali Larijani, who has been an outspoken critic of both Ahmadinejad and the United States. Although Larijani beat out his rival, Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel, for his current post, the latter is still seen as a strong alternative to Ahmadinejad in 2009. Tehran’s mayor Mohammad Qalibaf, who is allied with Rezai, also has a strong base of support.

This leaves four main contenders for the 2009 presidential elections (Ahmadinejad, Larijani, Haddad-Adel, and Qalibaf), each with their own clique of supporters. With no real political opposition (the reformists are also divided and chances are their lead candidates will be blocked from running), the hardliners are experiencing an identity crisis. Rezai has recognized this, which is why he has warned against the “undermining” effects of factionalism and has proposed pragmatism as a solution.

"Mohsen Reza'i: 'Strategy of Principle-Ists Must Be Collective Move'"
Hezbollah
Wednesday, August 20, 2008 T18:16:36Z
Journal Code: 9427 Language: ENGLISH Record Type: FULLTEXT
Document Type: OSC Translated Text
Word Count: 755

The secretary of the Expediency Council has confirmed: "The criterion of choice in the principle-ist movement should change from paternalism, in which a group of elders decides for everybody from above and outside, to a brotherly and collective approach, where everyone considers himself a brother of, and equal to, others."

Mohsen Reza'i, who was speaking to Fars News about the strategy of the principle-ists in the next presidential election, added: "The best strategy for principle-ists is a collective move. Individual moves in elections, even if they end in success, lead to self-centrism and egotism after the election, and society would not benefit properly from the principle-ist trend." Explaining that the strategy of the principle-ists was a collective approach previously, but it had many shortcomings, he added: "The Coordination Council in the seventh Majles election was relatively successful, but it collapsed at the ninth presidential election. The five-plus-one group, or the United Front of Principle-Ists that replaced it, set the red lines inside the United Front of Principle-ists. Although this managed to obtain some success in the eighth Majles election, it contained many flaws and failed to give the front real and comprehensive unity." According to Reza'i, eventually the principle-ist faction must reach a collective model, which is both viable and also acceptable by all the spectra of the front; moreover, all groups should be present in it.

The political activist spoke about the mechanism that can lead to success for the United Front of Principle-Ists in the forthcoming election and stated: "The criterion of the principle-ists' decision making and choosing a candidate must be accepted by all principle-ists; this means that the egotism and paternalist approach must change into a fraternal and collective democratic move." He also proposed that all who consider themselves principle-ists should be invited to take part in this decision-making. "I mean that a few figures should not sit down and leave out the other principle-ists. For a small group to decide for all is paternalism, and I understand this as centralism." He continued to assert: "The partisan and factional feature must not prevail over pursuing the interests of the regime. Rather, sustaining the regime is the most important principle of the United Front of Principle-Ists, and has preference over everything else. Even if sometimes we believe that, through a certain action, the pillars of the regime become stronger, even here we should not give priority to factional and partisan features and we must maintain preference for the entirety of the regime. Sometimes, circumstances might show that the principle-ists need to sacrifice their own interests for preserving and consolidating the regime, because this is identical with logic of principle-ism."

Reza'i emphasized consolidating collective unity, consultation, and reaching common a conclusion. He affirmed: "The most dangerous factor threatening the principle-ist movement is egotism and a turning away from working together; this factor can bring great harm to the movement, especially at election time. Self-centrism at election time will develop into despotism." Reza'i added that restricting the principle-ist movement is among the most serious dangers: "The movement must be far more comprehensive than what it puts on display, and it must not limit its range."

Reza'i continued: "The third question is divine motivation, which should not be weakened in political activities. For the real and pure Islam is based on two bedrocks: the first is being divine and working for God; while the second is acting logically and rationally." He added that, if a group is godly but does not act rationally, it will deliver serious damage to society, and in many instances we ought to desist from defending ourselves. He emphasized the necessity of cooperation and interaction in the political environment of Iran, referring to the strong rebuffs and insults that have taken place in the principle-ist front recently. Those who are insulted must be patient for the sake of the people's interest and the regime's integrity; those who insult others must realize that, without piety and decency, nobody will succeed, and they will lose even in posterity. The great ones and sages must advise both parties.

In conclusion, he expressed dismay about the future of the principle-ist movement and reiterated: "A false and mistaken arrogance has appeared in the principle-ist movement, which has made its parts overlook the dangers looming on their path. They fail to appreciate each other and be grateful; instead of strengthening they undermine each other. Recently the new plague of 'in-group elimination' attitude has penetrated among their different groups, which is similar to the behavior of the Monafeqin (hypocrites) and devious and corrupt groups, which must be prevented at all costs. Fair and constructive criticis must replace destructive criticism."

[Image: Expediency Council secretary, and former IRGC commander, Mohsen Rezai]