Date : 06/12/2000
KHATAMI WARNS AGAINST CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
TEHRAN,DEC 6 (KUNA)--PRESIDENT MOHAMMAD KHATAMI ON WEDNESDAY VOICED HIS
OPPOSITION TO CHANGES IN THE IRANIAN CONSTITUTION.
"TODAY ANY TALK ABOUT AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION IS TANTAMOUNT TO CHANGING
THE (RULING) SYSTEM AND IS A TREASON AGAINST REFORMS", HE TOLD A LARGE STUDENT
GATHERING.
REFORMISTS AND SUPPORTERS OF THE MODERATE IRANIAN LEADER RECENTLY FLOATED
THE IDEA OF REVISING THE CONSTITUTION ADOPTED SOON AFTER THE 1979 ISLAMIC
REVOLUTION WHICH TOPPLED THE PAHLAVI DYNASTY.
CALLS FOR INCREASING THE PRESIDENTS POWERS AND THROUGH CONSTITUTIONAL
AMENDMENTS INTENSIFIED LAST WEEK AFTER KHATAMI SAID HE WAS UNABLE TO IMPLEMENT
THE CONSTITUTION OR PREVENT ITS VIOLATIONS.
KHATAMI CRITICIZED HIS INFLUENTIAL CONSERVATIVE OPPONENTS WHO WERE DEFEATED
IN THE ELECTIONS AND ARE TRYING TO CLING TO POWER BY ANY MEANS.
THIS IS AN INDICATION THAT WE HAVE NOT MATURED ENOUGH IN UPHOLDING THE
PRINCIPLES OF FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY.
WITHOUT NAMING ANY GROUP OR INDIVIDUAL, THE PRESIDENT SAID THE NATION AND
ITS POLITICAL AUTHORITIES HAVE STILL NOT LEARNT TO TOLERATE EACH OTHER AND
RESPECT THE DEMANDS OF THE MAJORITY.(MORE)
AS.NAS.KF
KUNA 061211 Dec 00NNNN