Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Rezaei, Karroubi policy factbox


With only two days left to Iran's presidential election, the candidates continue to elaborate on their domestic and foreign policies.

The following are some of the issues addressed by candidates Mehdi Karroubi and Mohsen Rezaei:

Economy

Karroubi has vowed to offer shares in Iran's state oil and gas industry to the public. He says each Iranian individual above 18 years of age will receive 700,000 rials ($70) a month in cash from the country's oil revenues.

Rezaei believes it would be more practical to establish a national development fund using Iran's oil revenues rather than directly distributing the money among people.

Both Karroubi and Rezaei plan to re-establish the Budget Planning and Management Organization, which they believe is the center of Iran's economic policies. 

Rezaei says he would create nine federal economic zones to revive the economy.

Domestic and Foreign Policy

On domestic policy, Karroubi has stressed the importance of respecting the civil rights of Iranians and has vowed greater freedom for women.

Rezaei says if elected, he would also establish a supervision mechanism through a shadow government, which would be comprised of a board of elites in various fields tasked with monitoring the activities of the government and providing consultations on the country's crucial issues.

Rezaei has also floated the idea of forming a coalition government, which excludes partisanship and favors politicians from many political inclinations. 

On foreign policy, both candidates have been open to resuming relations with the United States, but have demanded 'fundamental' changes in US policy toward Iran.

Nuclear Energy

Both candidates have hinted that Iran will continue its nuclear program for peaceful purposes while calling for open negotiations with the West over the issue. 

Rezaei says Iran's nuclear issue could be resolved through the formation of an international consortium led by Iran. Every member of the proposed consortium would have its own rights and the governing board could be comprised of all its international members.

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