Iron Vote in Iran for Ahmadinejad II Iran has been passing through lot of turmoil after Presidential election results were announced. Incumbent Ahmadinejad was declared winner with huge margin of 11 million votes and the competitors were reduced to insignificant contestants. This followed violence and protests unforeseen in recent times. There was considerable interest in the Presidential elections because it seemed to be opening up and people were expecting liberalization and democratic values to be sustained. The protests even forced the Supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei to order recount in limited constituencies. Though the Supreme leader has declared Ahmadinejad to be the winner and justified free and fair elections, the people are not buying the arguments advanced in support of Ahmadinejad. The powerful Guardian Council also has upheld the decision and refused to annul the election. It is accepted by the government agencies that in 50 cities votes cast exceed the number of voters by 3 million which is substantial margin. Opposition claims it to be in about 180 cities. Irrespective of numbers, the credibility gap remains unbridged. The violence has gripped the nation. The government has imposed restrictions on foreign media but nevertheless in this seamless world communications spread like fire. The stance adopted by the government is more of iron hand ready to crush the movement of people than trying to win over the situation. The approach is likely to add fuel to the fire in the days to come. The global community was expecting Iran to open up and get ready for a dialogue with western world on nuclear disarmament and other issues. With democratic values seem to being trampled, one can expect considerable backlash. Ahmadinejad has warned the US and western countries not to meddle in internal affairs of Iran. This gives a sense of déjà vu. The world has seen recently the elections in Zimbabwe followed by long power struggle. President Robert Mugabe stuck to power unlawfully and forced his opponent Mr. Morgan Tsvangirai to join the government as Prime Minister. Iran is not comparable to Zimbabwe due to their richer culture, heritage, and dominant position in the Muslim world. Economic might and better ability to take on the world sets it apart from several African and Arab countries. And yet when it resorts to similar approaches to power games, one feels sad. Iran can play much bigger role on international scene and find a berth that it deserves provided it takes the true economic and political leadership of the Muslim world. Iran should move away from the developments of seventies and eighties to look at the global view from fast changing realities of 21st century. The loss of face for the Americans in Iraq was the biggest setback and a lesson on how not to deal with Muslim World. President Obama has, in his Cairo speech, outlined how he would like to work to bring the Muslim world closer to the West. Iran therefore should seize the moment of truth in developing relationship with USA in particular and western world in general. This is time to shed the notions of the
past, come forward and work together to reshape the perspectives for the benefit of current and future generations. If there is a change in confrontationist stand to project a more acceptable evolving leadership to tackle problems of 21st century, Iran may emerge as a country the world would like to listen to. To achieve this, Iranian leadership has to first win over its own internal opponents and be seen to be truly representative of the people of the country. The battles on the streets are reaching out to the world through internet and it seems there is much more to hide than meets the eyes. The intensity of protests may increase if there is repression. The reformists would gain in stature if they are denied their dues. Let the world see the iron grip loosening and let the media report freely the developments of rapprochement and reconciliation. In 21st century, the forces of communication, economics, education and civil liberties are likely to overshadow other considerations. Can we see the change coming? Vijay M. Deshpande Corporate Advisor, Strategic Management Initiative, Pune June 24, 2009 Scroll down for my other blogs Or Visit www.strami.com