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Chairmanship of Rafsanjani in Assembly of Experts signals era of demise for mullahs’ regime

Chairmanship of Rafsanjani in Assembly of Experts signals era of demise for mullahs' regimeNCRI – The President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, described Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani’s chairmanship in the Assembly of Experts as representative of the era of demise for the ruling religious fascism in Iran. Since Rafsanjani does not differ with other regime officials, such as the mullahs’ Supreme Leader Khamenei and their president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, on fundamental policies like domestic suppression, the atomic weapons program, domination of Iraq, and the export of terror and fundamentalism abroad, conflicts among the various factions in the Assembly of Experts signals the dispersion and divergence that is characteristic of the final phase of the regime.

The components and institutions of the regime are increasingly breaking apart under domestic and international pressures, especially the United Nations Security Council resolutions. Events such as the firing of cabinet ministers and the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, and the conflict in the regime’s Assembly of Experts, are in line with such a trend. Prior to his chairmanship, Rafsanjani was elected with 70 votes as the Vice Chair of the Assembly and was for years the acting chair of the institution. But, this time around he could only muster 41 votes from the Assembly’s members.

Regarding the propaganda that portray the chairmanship of Rafsanjani as causing a sort of balance of power or a signal of strength within the mullahs’ regime, Mrs. Rajavi described them as suggestions made by the lobbyists and employees of Khamenei and Ahmadinejad, who have spent millions of dollars for this purpose, and target a foreign audience only.

Rafsanjani, who for years held the posts of Majlis (Parliament) speaker, deputy commander-in-chief of the armed forces, or the regime’s president, was the initiator of the regime’s atomic program, and originator of the terrorist Quds Force and export of the “Islamic Revolution” to Iraq. After becoming the Assembly of Experts Chairman, he reiterated that, “the legitimacy of the Islamic Republic is derived from the Vali Faqih [i.e. Supreme Leader Khamenei].” Two days later, in a meeting of the members of the Assembly of Experts with Khamenei, Rafsanjani said, “the presence of his Excellency leader of the revolution, along with his guidance, has always been enlightening, and for this reason, there are no worries when it comes to national unity.”

The President-elect of the Resistance added that Khamanei’s speech on September 6th demonstrated that the Assembly of Experts is an institution which merely exists to execute the commands of the Supreme Leader.

Adopting an intimidating tone, Khamenei stated that, “all the Assembly members, including its presiding board, must be watchful of their words and deeds, and vigilantly foil the enemies’ hostile propaganda.” He also pointed out the Assembly’s duties in supporting Ahmadinejad and said, “The current president is a pious, courageous, and virtuous man who is loyal to principles, and is vehemently active and persistent. We all have the duty to support the three branches of government, especially the executive and the president.” He added that, if “any boundaries were to be drawn, they must be aligned with the conflict between the Islamic system and the global arrogant powers.”

Referring to the domestic media as “ill-behaved,” Khamenei also said, “I warn them not to encroach the sanctity of the Assembly of Experts, and pursue such amusements in other arenas.”

The Editor-in-Chief of the Kayhan Daily, Hossein Shariatmadari, who is a staunch defender of Khamanei, said on September 5th, that with regards to “the distinguished and experienced revolutionary personalities” such as Rafsanjani, “differences of opinion and points of view … never defy the fundamental principles” and “friends of the Revolution will never abandon this pivotal point of the Revolution.”

Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran
September 9, 2007