Well the Iranians have elected a new president who is allegedly more moderate than his predecessor, Mr. Ahamadinejad, who was not only very vocal, but used harsh rhetoric towards the West, in particular the United States.
Mr. Ahamadinejad rhetoric has cost the Iranian people much sufferance as well as bringing economic havoc to the point the unemployment is almost 20 percent and the value of Iranian Rial has dropped substantial causing high inflation. Life in Iran is extremely harsh. Average Iranian family cannot possibly survive on the salaries earned and most people have two jobs in order to stay afloat, never mind have luxurious life. Briberies are common and are widely accepted as a way of life without which one cannot survive.
Of course there are many who have benefited tremendously from the presence of Islamic Republic and from the current the state of affairs. One example of such fortunate people is former president Hashemi Rafsanjani who by many accounts was a simple and not wealthy cleric. Islamic Republic and his subsequent rise to power have made him one of the richest men Iran, if not in the world. It is argued that he has amassed substantial wealth hoarded in European banks as well as holding many expensive real estates all over the Europe. He has investments and control over many large economic enterprises in Iran.
Mr. Rohani is said to be a pragmatic and man of logic. He has experience in dealing with the Western countries when for a while he was in charge of negotiation of Iranian nuclear development with the Western countries.
In his inaugural speech he indicated his willingness to engage in a constructive and productive negotiation with the West over all issues including the nuclear development issues. It could be presumed that his willingness to start such dialogue is in anticipation of easing economic sanctions against Iran which is truly chocking the economy and creating many problems for the Iranian regime. Too much economic suffocation could cause revolution from within as people could only tolerate so much economic pain.
That can be accomplished by allowing the representatives of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to visits the nuclear sites in Iran so to be assured no nuclear materials are being enriched so to be used in any nuclear bombs or missiles.
What should the new president do to bring peace and economic prosperity to Iran? He must first show a genuine interest in negotiation on the issue of nuclear development. The western countries are not necessary opposed to Iran having nuclear reactor, as long as they can be assured that it is indeed for peaceful purposes. That can be accomplished by allowing the representatives of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to visits the nuclear sites in Iran so to be assured no nuclear materials are being enriched so to be used in any nuclear bombs or missiles. A level of openness could bring much comfort to the west which could then allow them to ease the sanctions against Iran.
No more harsh rhetorical statements towards the West, instead talk of cooperation and building relationship and establishing diplomatic relations with the countries who are currently have terminated or curbed their diplomatic relations with Iran.
Further, Mr. Rohani should promote more political and social freedom in Iran and respect the human rights. Arresting the people and jailing for no or bogus reasons are clearly unacceptable and are in violation of human rights as well as Islam. Iran with over three thousand years of civilization, a country in which the first human right declaration was scripted over 2500 years ago could and should do better with regards to human rights and freedom.
Mr. Rohani should promote foreign investment which could only happen when the foreign corporations are assured that their interests would be protected and there is sufficient political and economic stability for them to invest.
Iran with over three thousand years of civilization, a country in which the first human right declaration was scripted over 2500 years ago could and should do better with regards to human rights and freedom.
Price control and lowering the inflation must also be on the top of the list for this new government. Subsidizing basic materials could help economic growth. Ease of imports and promoting and encouraging the businesses in Iran to invest and engage in commerce would also help to increase employment.
Proper taxation system could only generate more income for the government and increase funding for social programs and creating new jobs. Mr. Rohani has a lot on his plate and must undo much of the damages caused by his predecessor in a short time. This is not an easy task, given the fact that Mr. Rohani does not have full control of the country and must take his orders from Ayatollah Khamenei who is the supreme leader and in control of the armed forces, foreign policy, as well as social policy, after all no one can run for the office of the presidency of Iran, without first receiving the Supreme Leader’s blessings and approval. Best wishes to President Rohani.
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