Khatami retreats blatantly after Khamenei's effective blows

Amidst chants of "death to America" and "death to the opponents of velayat-e faqih," Mohammad Khatami, the mullahs' president, said last night: "We declare to the world that we will continue to tread along Khomeini's path... We will persevere to do so."

Khatami was addressing a gathering at Khomeini's mausoleum. He said: "We have suffered more than any other (nation) from the oppressive policies of the United States... If we are seen to have turned away from our revolution and given up our identity, no matter what they would give us, we shall lose."

Mr. Massoud Rajavi, the President of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, said: These comments are similar to Khamenei's remarks last Friday. In a blatant retreat, Khatami is now following the lead set by "the venerable Great Leader", as he put it. This time, there was no mention of "dialogue" with "the great American nation" or their "elected and legitimate government."

Khamenei's offensive is to pick up even more momentum in a nationwide demonstration on Friday. A pro-Khatami newspaper wrote: "The rival faction is determined to impeach Khatami or force him to resign."

For now, Khatami is keeping his head down to let the storm pass, a typical ploy by the mullahs. But the turn of events will only lead to further power struggle and even greater storms which will shake the foundations of the mullahs' illegitimate regime.

Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran
January 20, 1998

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