Khatami Loses Reformist Ally, Reuters - 2003-08-23

Tehran (Reuters) – Media reports indicate that Mohammad Khatami, the reformist President of Iran, accepted the resignation of a key cabinet ally on Saturday, who resigned in protest against the mass arrests of students during pro-democracy protests in June. The resignation of Mostafa Moein, Iran's Minister of Science, Research and Technology, is seen as another blow to Khatami, whose efforts to create a more open atmosphere in the Islamic Republic have faced setbacks from religious extremists who hold the main levers of power. Iranian state radio quoted a letter from Khatami to Moein saying, 'I regretfully accept your resignation and hope your knowledge, experience, and abilities can be utilized in another field.' Moein, who was reportedly a staunch supporter of Khatami's reform agenda, submitted his resignation request in July following student protests in support of democracy. According to judicial officials, 4,000 people have been arrested in recent unrest across the country. The newspaper Hamshahri quoted Moein last week as saying, 'From the very beginning, I opposed such mass arrests.' He added, 'My resignation should be viewed as a protest against the current atmosphere in the country.' Moein's plans to restructure the ministry under his leadership were rejected by the Guardian Council, a hardline body. The official IRNA news agency reported that Moein stated he had no power to make changes in his position. Moein had also submitted a resignation request after the suppression of student protests in 1999, which was rejected by Khatami. Jafar Mili Monfared, the Deputy Minister of Science, has been temporarily appointed as Moein's successor.