Also announced yesterday, was the resignation of the commander of the Revolutionary Guards Corps, which has been the hallmark of the regime's military dominance in the past 16 years. Last week in a three-hour press interview, Mohsen Rezaii revealed that "officers from the command level and the experienced cadres from the Guards Corps' rank-and-file" had deserted the force. He also expressed his personal interest in "cultural affairs" and thereby declared his lack of interest in the Guards Corps. Khamenei issued a decree, which was also publicized yesterday, and emphasized that the commander of the Guards Corps preferred to "serve outside the Corps." He hastily appointed Rezaii as member of the Council for the Determination of Exigencies of the State, while Rafsanjani introduced him as secretary for the council.
Mr. Massoud Rajavi, President of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, described the resignation of the commander of the Revolutionary Guards as the most important development in the regime after Khatami's presidency. He said it was an indication of the fear, despair, and frustration of the highest officials of the regime. He pointed out that this resembled the resignation and flight of the shah's generals in the final days of the monarchic dictatorship.
Mr. Rajavi added: Rafsanjani's warning against danger is also a clear indication that the regime has completely lost its internal balance on the verge of the mullahs' overthrow. Now, everyone can see and hear the instability of Iran's ruling theocracy, Mr. Rajavi said.
He also added that Rafsanjani's full-fledged defense of Velayat-e Faqih put another seal of approval on the fact that no serious changes or reform is conceivable in the mullahs' medieval regime. Mr. Rajavi pointed out that Rafsanjani used to be considered a "moderate" in some western circles.
Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran - Paris
September 10, 1997
Back Home