Khameni praises Rafsanjani

The Supreme Leader Khameni is covering all the bases just in case and it has already paid off handsomely. He praised Rafsanjani fulsomely in his speech but at the same time criticised Ahmadinejad who accused Rafsanjani's relatives of corruption--probably rightly! If things go wrong and the establishment regards the death toll and bad press as too damaging then Ahmadinejad can be sacrificed and turfed out by the Supreme Leader while he himself survives.

Here is a section of Khameni's speech from this site: (ha, ha, my post)

[02:11] (A. K.) Some important figures of the state were mentioned[02:11] (A. K.) People who have spent their lives for the state[02:11] (A. K.) I have never have mentioned names during prayers on Friday before but I have to now[02:11] (A. K.) Rafsanjani and Nateq Noori's names have been mentioned[02:11] (A. K.) These gentlemen have not been accused of financial misdoings[02:12] (A. K.) But their relatives.[02:12] (A. K.) If you have anything against them, prove them legally through the courts[02:12] (A. K.) Unless it is proven, no one can be accused.[02:13] (A. K.) I have known Rafsanjani for a long time[02:13] (A. K.) he is one of the most prominent members of this revolution[02:13] (A. K.) he was one of the major fighters before the revolution[02:13] (A. K.) after the victory,[02:13] (A. K.) he was one the most influential members of the Islamic state[02:13] (A. K.) still is[02:13] (A. K.) he walked with the Imam[02:13] (A. K.) Still walking with him[02:13] (A. K.) he was almost martyred several times[02:14] (A. K.) he spent all his money on the revolution,[02:14] (A. K.) they young people should know about this fact[02:14] (A. K.) he has had many responsibilities now[02:14] (A. K.) president, leader of parliament[02:14] (A. K.) he has not made money out of the revolution for himself.

So there is Khameni praising his enemy who is head of the Assembly of Experts or Ass as it is affectionately known to those who oppose the theocracy. And guess what the Ass people have just gone and done? Approved the position of the Supreme Leader rather than turfing him out.
If Rafsanjani has not made any money out of the revolution for himself it is strange that he is one of the richest people in Iran and has all sorts of properties including private educational insitutions that guarantee him lots of student demonstrators should he need them.


Assembly of Experts expresses strong support for Leader’s guidelines Tehran Times Political Desk
TEHRAN -- In a statement issued on Saturday the Assembly of Experts expressed its “strong support” for the Supreme Leader’s statements on the presidential elections on Friday.
The 86-member assembly stated in the statement that it is hoped that the nation would realize the current condition and by sticking to the Leader’s guidelines preserve their patience and manifest their unity. The Qom Seminary Teachers Society also issued a statement on Saturday declaring strong support for the guidelines of the Supreme Leader. “The Qom Seminary Teachers Society… announces its strong support for his valuable guidelines and invites all (groupings) to maintain unity, abide by the law, and refrain from any action which leads to tension,” the statement said. Addressing hundreds of thousands of people at the most recent Friday prayers in Tehran, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei urged all groupings to end their street protests and to pursue their complaints through legal channels. Ayatollah Khamenei said the time for rivalry is over and everyone should unite and line up behind the president-elect. -----------Cleric praises Leader’s remarks In a letter sent to the Supreme Leader on Saturday, Ayatollah Hossein Nouri Hamedani said the Leader’s remarks showed the significant role of the velayat-e faqih (rule by the supreme jurisprudent) in the Islamic system. Ayatollah Hamedani expressed hope that all groupings make the guidelines their priority. --------- Leader’s guidelines guarantee a better future MP Sharif Hosseini stated on Saturday that the Supreme Leader’s guidelines announced at Friday prayers guarantee a better future for the nation. “The remarks showed the Iranian people the path toward a better future under the law without any rift or schism,” he told the Mehr News Agency. The MP added, “All political groupings and the people should prioritize unity and heed the words of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution.” ------- Leader’s guidelines are a road map In a letter to the Supreme Leader on Saturday, Ayatollah Abbas Ka’bi of the Guardian Council said the Leader’s speech has outlined a road map for the nation. Ayatollah Ka’bi added that the GC will spare no effort to safeguard the nation’s votes. “The council will seriously and meticulously examine the protests and the complaints of the candidates through the legal process and will safeguard each one of the nation’s 40 million votes,” he said. ---------- Following the Leader is a religious duty MP Hashem Hashemzadeh said that following the Leader’s guidelines is a religious duty. “The remarks of the Leader of the revolution were definitive… and obeying the orders of the velayat-e faqih (supreme jurisprudent) is a religious duty for everyone,” he told MNA. --------- University chancellors vow to follow Leader In a statement issued on Saturday, university chancellors have emphasized that they will follow the decisive orders of the Supreme Leader. “We regard the maximum presence of the people at the ballot boxes as the most valuable political and social asset for the Islamic system… and urge all the elites of Islamic Iran to do their best to safeguard this asset,” part of the statement said. ---------- Armed forces urge people to follow the Leader The Iranian Armed Forces Headquarters has issued a statement urging all people to follow the definitive guidelines of the Supreme Leader. The statement added that the nation should be wary about the enemies’ plots. “The victory of the great Iranian nation in the tenth presidential election… is a glory which should safeguard the country’s security magnificently. Thus, we should not be unaware of the enemies’ plots to destroy this unique capability,” it added


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Even the BBC shows a glimmer of understanding of the power struggle in Iran.

This is from the BBC. This should be contrasted with CNN in its Iran 101 a supposed intro lecture on what is happening. CNN does not even mention the power struggle between Khameni and Rafsanjani and does not even have a profile of Rafsanjani as if he is of no importance! As this article points out Rafsanjani is the head of the Assembly of Experts who elect, surpervise and can theoretically dismiss the Supreme Leader. I do not even see this group mentioned in the CNN coverage. I didn't look at Fox News if anyone knows if they have done a better job let me know! The United States would no doubt like Rafsanjani to win out. He is corrupt, rich, and for accomodation with the West if it will make him even richer and more powerful! Obama is rightly being very subdued in his reactions although the State Dept. asked Twitter not to shut down for maintenance in order that protesters could continue using it. Of course the standard refrain in the western media is that Ahmadinejad stole the election rather than that Mousavi having lost is now trying to steal it through demonstrations and his ability to rally large numbers of people, at least in Tehran.

Deep rivalry
Meanwhile, a separate power play is going on at the top of the political system.

Former President Rafsanjani is backing the opposition
Ayatollah Khamenei has staked his political life on his unequivocal support for President Ahmadinejad's re-election victory.
He has many cards in his hand. He is the supreme commander of the armed forces. He is also loyally supported by the Guardian Council, which is reviewing the election result. Until now , no-one ever dared question his authority - at least openly.
But on the other side is former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who has been backing the opposition campaigns.
As the election began, it became clear he wanted revenge against President Ahmadinejad, who beat him in the presidential election four years ago.
And there is probably a deeper rivalry with the supreme leader himself, whom Mr Rafsanjani helped to power when he succeeded Ayatollah Khomeini in 1989.
The rivalry really erupted when President Ahmadinejad accused Mr Rafsanjani's family of corruption during one of the televised presidential debates.
They may be arguing over a disputed election. But they are really arguing over the future of the country. A momentous, titanic struggle, whose outcome no-one can predict
It is an accusation many Iranians might suspect is true, but the manner in which it was made caused outrage.
Mr Rafsanjani wrote an unprecedented letter to the supreme leader, calling him to act, and issuing a remarkable threat.
If nothing was done, "the volcanos fed inside burning chests will appear in society, as exemplified by gatherings we have seen in streets, squares and universities".
The flames, Mr Rafsanjani warned, would spread "through the elections and beyond".
Mr Rafsanjani has some powerful tools.
He heads the Assembly of Experts, the body of clerics in charge of electing, supervising and dismissing the supreme leader.
For them to take action would indeed be unprecedented. But Mr Rafsanjani recently won re-election with a big majority. And Ayatollah Khamenei has many enemies amongst the clerical establishment.
Mr Rafsanjani also heads the Expediency Council, which mediates on disputes between other organs of government. Not to mention his almost legendary wealth.
Do not underestimate the fervour of supporters on both sides.
There may be government supporters encouraged or bussed to demonstrations, but there are many who also genuinely adore Mr Ahmadinejad.
And for the opposition, the disputed election has unleashed years of frustration over a system that prevents them from meeting their aspirations.
They may be arguing over a disputed election. But they are really arguing over the future of the country. A momentous, titanic struggle, whose outcome no-one can predict.