The Regime is Responsible

“Mr. Rafsanjani made himself available, people welcomed it and the regime rejected him. The regime is responsible.” These are the words of Hossein Marashi, the spokesperson of the Kargozaran Sazandeghi (Agents of Development/Construction) party, who is also a former Majlis representative and vice-president during Mohammad Khatami’s presidency in his talk with Rooz. He also said, “Mr. Rafsanjani is playing with a limited number of cards. He has other cards to continue to play a role in Iran.”

Mr. Marashi made it clear that Rafsanjani would not protest his disqualification and would not make a request from the supreme leader. But he shall speak with the people. He emphasized that not protesting did not mean that Rafsanjani had no complaints.

Hashemi Rafsanjani’s application for approval to run in the June 14 presidential election was rejected by the Guardian Council on Tuesday. Marashi said that complaining to a body that did not view itself accountable to the public did not make sense. Here are the excerpts of the interview.

Rooz: What do you think of Mr. Rafsanjani’s rejection by the Guardian Council?

Marashi: It was very unexpected. My personal view is that as waves of people came to his support, hardline elements who are greatly in the ruling circles of the Islamic republic could not accept Rafsanjani as the next president which would gradually result in the loss of the position they have attained.

Rooz: Why were you surprised when members of the GC and Majlis had said negative things about Mr. Rafsanjani?

Marashi: Because they had initially thought that Rafsanjani did not enjoy wide public support. Kayhan newspaper too believed that Mr. Rafsanjani did not enjoy public support, but that he would be approved as a candidate and eventually would decide not to run. We too were pleasantly surprised that his candidacy would create so much public support and enthusiasm. Support for him was picked up by the hardliners, which made them fearful and so they acted.

Rooz: Mr. Rafsanjani seems to have known on Tuesday morning that he had been rejected and Fatemeh Hashemi (Rafsanjani) announced that Mr. Rowhani and Mr. Larijani had informed him of this.

Marashi: That is correct. They had asked him to withdraw otherwise his rejection would be publicly announced. Mr. Rafsanjani of course rejected their request.

Rooz: Ms. Hashemi also said that Rafsanjani would not protest. Why not?

Marashi: the GC makes only one decision and the law does not provide for any re-examination or review of its decision. But the absence of a protest by Mr. Rafsanjani does not mean he has no complaints or that others have no protests. It is simply because legally nothing can be done. At the same time, the GC has never been accountable to the public, so it is meaningless to protests its decision. He will present his issues to the public through statements and directly.

Rooz: Mr. Mashai has said that he intends to pursue his rejection with the supreme leader. There are some rumors that Mr. Khamenei may overturn the GC’s decision, like has done in the past.

Mashai: Ahmadinejad and Mashai have unrealistic views of their influence amid people. They believed that people would support Mashai, despite their suffering which would force the regime to accept his presidential bid. None of that materialized and even Ahmadinejad did not show any response to the rejection. So they have said this simply to have reacted to the situation and show their supporters that they are doing something about it. But they know that they have no influence with the supreme leader.

Rooz: Two issues have been raised against Mr. Rafsanjani: his age and his affiliation with the so called sedition. Why do you think he was disqualified?

Mashai: The core of their problem is that Mr. Rafsanjani is an independent person. He is the only person who could have returned moderation to the country. What they have said (age and sedition) are mere excuses. They know that if there has been a sedition who is behind it and what are its goals. Regarding his age, they know better that he is physically more capable than many who are in positions of power. Even we, who are considered his children, can hardly compete with him energy-wise. We do not have his ability to analyze and understand issues, his speeches and his dawn to sunset work schedule. They got scared of the high votes that he would get. They did not think that he would be so popular, but they saw the massive support after he registered.

Rooz: Mohsen Hashemi – Mr. Rafsanjani’s eldest son – was also rejected as a candidate for the provincial councils. Mehdi Hashemi – his other son – is on bail and awaiting his trial. Faeze – his daughter – has only recently been released her prison .term. State media continue to bombast all of them. And now Mr. Rafsanjani has himself been disqualified. What is the regime’s problem with Mr. Rafsanjani? What role does he see for himself in the regime?

Marashi: Mr. Rafsanjani is not going to rescind from his principles, for which he has fought all his life. They believe that these actions will make him surrender. But they are mistaken. He will not put his reputation in the hands extremists.

Rooz: So what will Mr. Rafsanjani do now?

Marashi: Mr. Rafsanjani is not a politician with just a few cards in his hand. These very election events showed that Mr. Rafsanjani is a shrewd politician. He most certainly has cards to use for his role in Iran.