Iran's President Mohammad Khatami on Monday defended his reform program at the "The Student Day" ceremony, saying the Islamic Republic is the best model for developing democracy in Islam. In reaction to the face-to-face criticism during his speech at Tehran university, he said, "This is the fruit of the reform program. This is democracy. This is the first time in Iranian history the president is hearing face-to-face protest."
According to IRNA, the students were protesting why the reformist government did not follow the public will not to hold parliamentary election. Khatami said that he did his best to convince the Guardian Council to revise its stand.
"We held a meeting with members of the Guardian Council in presence of the Supreme Leader, who called on them to shift their attitude. They accepted it in the meeting, but, they reneged on their promise later," Khatami said. "Do not believe those who say they will bring democracy from abroad as a gift. The road to democracy is passing through the Islamic Republic."
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
