Iran´s elections

Only six are to be allowed to stand for the presidency. 'Among those eliminated are Mostafa Moin, who was the choice of the country's largest reformist party. ... Iran's former parliamentary speaker Mehdi Karrubi remains on the list, but correspondents say he had not been the reformists' main contender.'  The reformist candidate will be facing Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and four conservatives (or hardliners).  (Iran 'bars pro-reform candidates' )

See also 'Iran's candidate cull'... this ... and this.

It gives a lot of responsibilities to the president without giving him enough authority. Responsibility and authority should come together. You cannot give responsibility to someone without giving him authority.

Ayatollah Hossein-Ali Montazeri, in 'a rare interview'. It came over a little more strongly on the radio. The implication is that there are those with authority and no responsibilities.

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From the FT Magazine, 14 May, "The King and Mao" Isabel Hilton (subscribers only ---  link ).

And maybe an interesting blog:  Paramendra Bhag / For a Democratic Nepal  ... Who could resist a title like The Maoists Have Been Reading My Emails, Blog Entries ?