VOL. XLII

No 47

22-November-1999

The Political Scene

Three months before Irans parliamentary elections on 18February, the battle lines are being drawn between entrenched conservatives andreform-minded supporters of President Mohammad Khatami. The conservative causewas dealt a blow when the Expediency Council ruled that the Council ofGuardians must give its reasons for disqualifying potential candidates, and thereformist have put together an 18-party coalition to contest the elections. Atthe same...