The Iranian President Ahmadinejad’s dismissal of former foreign minister Manuchehr Mottaki while Mottaki was on an official visit to a foreign capital has brought a wave of criticism against Ahmadinejad, especially on the right and among Ahmadinejad’s normally reliable supporters. Ahmadinejad’s ability in making sound judgments and his tolerance of opposition even among his closest circle of advisors have come under scrutiny. Hossein Shariatmadari, the influential editor of the conservative daily Kayhan, best sums up such reactions to Mottaki’s dismissal.
The dismissal of Mr. Mottaki while on a foreign mission would bring suspicion on the part of the public and the foreigners what seriously urgent issue was at work that did not allow Dr. Ahmadinejad to even wait for 24 hours for his foreign minister’s return to make the decision public. [Ahmadinejad] even saw it critical to contact the press to break the news of the dismissal.
What happened in recent days that the respected president could not wait for few hours to dismiss his foreign minister?
Few months ago, Ahmadinejad appointed his “special envoys” for different parts of the world, like Esfandiar Rahim Mashaie to be his envoy in Middle East. Mottaki objected to these appointments, considering them parallel work with the ministry of foreign affairs, and after the intervention by the supreme leader Ahmadinejad backed off and changed the titles to “advisor.” But three days ago, Mashaie was sent to Jordan to carry a message by Ahmadinejad. Perhaps Mottaki objected to this and was dismissed while on a foreign mission. Ahmadinejad could have waited a bit for God forbid not giving the impression that he cannot take criticism even from his own foreign minister.
9 comments:
There is a mix. The move has had its supporters too:
http://www.irna.ir/NewsShow.aspx?NID=30125852
http://www.ravy.ir/content5770235.html
He is gone, live with it.
Salehi sems more eloquent (needed)
The fact that he is gone is not a problem.
The way that he was made to go is indeed a problem.
Even according to his supporters Mottaki was a failure and unable to really promote Iran's LOOK EAST foreign policy, particularly vis a vis India where he had supposed "expertise" and spoke Hindi/Urdu. Unfortunately, India voted against Iran at the UN consistently thanks to US pressure and Iran took a very passive approach against these diplomatic lapses. It was high-time for change and Dr. Salehi represents the younger generation of technocrats. The only surprise in Mottaki's sacking was why it took so long after the 4rd round of sanctions vote. Dr. Saeed Jalili and Dr.Ali Akbar Salehi had been the point men in Iran's nuclear diplomacy anyway and Motakki was a travelling by-stander who never had the confidence of the more fiesty Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and even more lukewarm support from Rahbar.
Eloquent indeed. Here's an excellent example.
However it was pulled off, this represents an upgrading of staff before the next round of negotiations next month.
I congratulate the decission.But i think Iran must be more thug in the next negotiations. Iran needs a stone face with a big stick in the next negotiations.
@14, 2010 4:03 PM + December 15, 2010 9:28 AM
As a non Iranian I think you are right, the FM was a joke, the UN Amb also needs to be replaced. Iran needs to be steadfast and stay i's line. Viva El Ahmedijado, down with shills from LA
Jundullah must be stopped, how can this be done?
Throw them into the Arabian sea!
Kommiti
Forget Mottaki, he is history
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