DATE=7/22/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-235827
TITLE=IRAN / INTERIOR MINISTER (S&L)
BYLINE=RICHARD ENGEL
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  IRAN'S PARLIAMENT APPROVED THE APPOINTMENT OF A NEW 
INTERIOR MINISTER TODAY (WEDNESDAY).  THE APPOINTMENT IS BEING 
HAILED AS A VICTORY FOR MODERATE PRESIDENT MOHAMMED KHATAMI, WHO 
HAS BEEN BATTLING WITH IRAN'S CONSERVATIVE HARDLINERS.  RICHARD 
ENGEL REPORTS FROM OUR MIDDLE EAST BUREAU.

TEXT:  IRAN'S PARLIAMENT APPROVED THE NOMINATION OF ABDOLVAHED 
MOUSAVI-LARI AS IRAN'S NEW INTERIOR MINISTER BY AN OVERWHELMING 
MAJORITY.  THE 44-YEAR-OLD CLERIC IS A KEY ALLY OF MODERATE 
PRESIDENT KHATAMI.  HE PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS MR. KHATAMI'S VICE 
PRESIDENT FOR LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS.   MR. 
MOUSAVI-LARI'S APPROVAL SEEMED ASSURED TUESDAY WHEN THE 
PARLIAMENT'S MAJORITY LEADER RELUCTANTLY DECIDED  NOT  TO OPPOSE 
THE NOMINATION.

IRAN HAS BEEN WITHOUT AN INTERIOR MINISTER SINCE LAST MONTH,  
WHEN THE HARDLINER-DOMINATED PARLIAMENT VOTED TO IMPEACH THE LAST
INTERIOR MINISTER, WHO, LIKE MOUSAVI-LARI, IS A KEY ALLY OF 
PRESIDENT KHATAMI.  IRAN'S INTERIOR MINISTER IS IN CHARGE OF 
MAINTAINING DOMESTIC ORDER.

                    ///REST OPT FOR LONG ///

CONSERVATIVE HARDLINERS HAVE BEEN CHALLENGING PRESIDENT KHATAMI'S
SUPPORTERS SINCE HE TOOK OFFICE AFTER A LANDSLIDE VICTORY IN MAY 
OF 1997.  ANOTHER KHATAMI SUPPORTER, THE MAYOR OF TEHRAN, IS ON 
TRIAL FOR CORRUPTION CHARGES.  HARDLINERS ALREADY CONTROL THE 
ARMED FORCES, THE INTELLIGENCE MINISTRY AND THE COUNTRY'S 
STATE-RUN MEDIA. 

POLITICAL ANALYSTS IN IRAN SAY PRESIDENT KHATAMI NEEDS THE 
INTERIOR MINISTER AS AN ALLY TO COMPLETE HIS REFORMIST PROGRAM, 
WHICH HAS WON HIM WIDESPREAD POPULARITY.   (SIGNED) 

NEB/RHE/PCF/WTW

22-Jul-98 5:49 AM EDT (0949 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.