Khamenei warns hard-liners and blasts reformists

["Ulhas Joglekar" <ulhasj@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Friday 21 April 2000

Khamenei warns hard-liners and blasts reformists
TEHERAN: In a bid to defuse political tension, Iran's supreme leader urged
hard-liners Thursday not to take any ``illegal action'' against reformists -
but he also lashed out at pro-reform newspapers, saying they undermined
Islamic and revolutionary principles.
The hard-liners are struggling for survival against a burgeoning reformist
movement, and are accused of using heavy-handed measures against opponents
whom they accuse of betraying the 1979 Islamic revolution.
"There are 10 to 15 (reformist) papers writing as if they are directed from
one center, undermining Islamic and revolutionary principles, insulting
constitutional bodies and creating tension and discord in society,"
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told an estimated 100,000 youths in Teheran's Grand
Mosque, the country's largest religious complex.
"But I warn against any illegal action by any person due to emotion and
support for this or that person. I'll not allow this," he said. Khamenei
said Friday that the use of "Islamic violence" against enemies of the state
was legitimate.(AP)
For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service
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