Iran Sustains Moderate Wave President’s Cabinet Gains Approval, Over Hard-Liners

Iran’s new president won a major victory over hard-liners Wednesday, gaining parliament’s approval for his hand-picked Cabinet, including two moderates to key ministries.

Capping two days of debate, members of Majlis, or parliament, voted in all 22 officials nominated by President Mohammad Khatami, who himself had won a surprise landslide victory over a hard-line candidate in May elections.

Wednesday’s results are certain to be seen as a vote of confidence in Khatami’s expected drive to ease nearly two decades of social restrictions imposed by Iran’s ruling clerics since the 1979 Islamic revolution.

The United States reacted cautiously to the outcome.

“What we need to see in Iran are actions and we are going to be waiting to see actions,” said State Department spokesman James P. Rubin.

Khatami’s most controversial choice was Ataollah Mohajerani, who was bitterly attacked by hard-line members as being too liberal to be the minister for culture and Islamic guidance.

They cited an article he wrote three years ago advocating direct talks with the United States.

During a 45-minute speech to rapt Majlis members, Mohajerani said Islam advocated granting more personal freedoms.

“We have to create an atmosphere where all citizens can express their ideas. Islam is not a narrow dark alley. Everybody can walk freely in the path of Islam,” he said.

Saying the Culture Ministry has become a laughingstock, Mohajerani pledged to turn it “into a jewel in the crown of Iran.”

The Culture Ministry, which controls the media, music and film industries, has been used by hard-liners as a tool to keep Western culture out of Iran. The government bans satellite television antennas, foreign films, books and music.

Mohajerani’s victory did not come easily. He won the least number of votes, 144 among 266 who voted in the 270-seat Majlis. Ninety-six members voted against him and the rest abstained or were absent.

Emotional oratories by Mohajerani and Khatami appeared to tip the scales in their favor by winning the votes of independent and undecided legislators.

In Tehran, stores were shut and people stayed at home during the last two days to see the parliamentary debate broadcast live on state television.

Apparently to test Mohajerani’s commitment to the Islamic regime, a lawmaker asked him whether he could kill British author Salman Rushdie, who faces an Iranian death sentence for his allegedly blasphemous book “The Satanic Verses.”

“Please answer frankly. If you met Salman Rushdie would you kill him? Do you still believe in direct talks with America? What is your idea on cultural liberalism in Iran?” legislator Ali Zardar asked.

Mohajerani did not reply directly, but said that he had spent “40 sleepless nights” writing a critique of the book.

The fate of Mohajerani’s nomination was awaited with almost as much anticipation as President Khatami’s election, which sent the first strong signal to Iran’s rulers that its people were fed up with social strictness.

On the question of direct talks with the United States, Mohajerani said he considered the issue closed when Iran’s spiritual leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei opposed it.

Khatami called Mohajerani “one of Iran’s greatest scientific, religious and social investments and the most qualified person for the job.”