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Government spokesman discusses, constitution, bills, gas exports |
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Tehran, Sept 12, IRNA -- Government Spokesman Abdollah Ramezanzadeh said here Wednesday that the government aim to delineate the presidential prerogative and reform of the election laws will not limit any individuals or organs' rights. Speaking at his weekly press conference with domestic and foreign reporters, he added that the aim of the legislation to carry out the constitution to ensure citizens rights and supervision by the president over the implementation of the constitution. He added that the reform bill intends to make sure that every citizens be able to be a candidate in the elections and to block arbitrary and personal judgments on the qualification of the candidates. He also said the bill intends to prevent contravention of the situation. Ramezanzadeh said that the presidential responsibilities straddles two distinct areas, one to carry out the the letter of the constitution and the other as the head of the executive branch. The bill's objective is not to augment the presidential prerogatives, Ramzanzadeh said. The president dose not have the necessary mechanism to prevent infringements of the laws, including the practice of banning print media without formation of press court or closed door trial of political prisoners. He also said that the Supervisory Commission for Implementation of Constitution (SCIC) would announce all cautions that the president has expressed in order to prevent the infringement of the constitution. He said the government also believes that because the two bills are not contrary to the constitution and the nation's religious principals the Guardian Council (GC) will approve them. Government is of understanding that the letter of the constitution does not need explanations and only in those instances that it (the constitution) is vague elaboration is needed, the government spokesman said. In response to criticism that Khatami government's performance has been weak, he added "the government does not have adequate means at its disposal to convey its achievements." The important point which economic indices point to and all the international economic experts agree with, is that the nation is enjoying a stable economic, political and social situation, "which proves that the totality of government performance is defensible and satisfactory." On the negligence of government in issuing 2,500 new publications permits, he said at "the government is not at fault." The media supervisory board needs regular meetings to assist in more open news ransmission in the society. On the Turkey's refusal to receive Iranian gas, he added that the reason the agreement between the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) and the Turkish side, in case of gas exports are cut before the scheduled time, then Iran will not pay any penalties, "because, Turkey is obliged to extend the required payment even if does not take delivery of the gas supplies." Earlier in September, Deputy President for Legal and Legislative Affairs Mohammad Ali Abtahi said that a bill to enhance the presidential authority, which is explicitly set out in the Constitution, will be presented to the Majlis sometime next month. Speaking to IRNA, Abtahi, however, did not give the details of the bill. In addition, he said that the government presented on Sunday a bill on reforming the parliamentary election law. Abtahi presented the bill to the Majlis at the end of the assembly's open session. President Mohammad Khatami in an earlier news conference had said that he would present a bill to the Majlis to enhance the presidential ower aiming to fulfill his constitutional obligations to the people. He also said these powers "are not, in any way, outside the confines of the constitution, religious tenets or the people's demands." |
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