Being there

Putting to rest growing doubts, Iran's president resolves to run for re-election. Azadeh Moaveni witnesses the emotional start of an unpredictable campaign
With the death of the famously weepy Imam Khomeini, public tears disappeared for a time from the repertoire of Iranian politicians. President Mohamed Khatami revived the tradition last week, when he announced his re-election bid with a speech interrupted by near-sobs.
In an address which sounded more like a eulogy of his first term than a blueprint for his second, Khatami made it clear that duty, rather than hope for the future, determined his decision.
With uncommon candidness, he described the awkward moments in his quixotic quest for progress. "Many people were hurt and compromised," he said, referring to his string of loyal supporters who have been stripped of government posts, imprisoned, or in the case of one close adviser, nearly assassinated.
Even the modest successes, he pointed out, had come at "too heavy a price." Most significantly of all, he virtually admitted he had been pressured into running by close associates. "Personally, I would prefer to be somewhere else," he said. "But I decided to run after seeing the public calling for my second term, as someone in my position must prioritise people's desires over private ones."
Khatami's announcement was widely expected, though many reformists interpreted an accelerated crackdown on opposition activists that began in early spring as an attempt to intimidate the president from running. In April, the long-tolerated opposition Freedom Movement (an Islamic nationalist group) saw 42 of its members, many in their late 70s and 80s, arrested for allegedly trying to overthrow the regime.
By waiting until two days before the official deadline to register, Khatami provoked the conservative charge of trying to manipulate the public's sympathies. But close aides said the president was truly unresolved, and even two weeks ago had decided against running. "He had serious doubts and was weighing the pluses and minuses; it wasn't an election ploy," said Hadi Semati, professor of political science at Tehran University. "But it did end up confusing the other side."
Of the many who have registered, only perhaps six will be serious candidates. Quirky characters such as the milk vendor, and blacksmith who have signed up, together with any female candidates, are all likely to be rejected by the Guardian Council, a hard-line vetting body that can also veto laws.
Ibrahim Ashgarzadeh, a Tehran city council member, is the only other pro-reform candidate who stands a chance of challenging Khatami, though he lacks the support of reformists who fear he will reduce the president's vote. In all likelihood, he will be rejected by the Guardian Council. No conservative with real political potential has registered, a signal that most moderate conservatives have resigned themselves to the usefulness of another Khatami presidency. "Khatami's stalling gave the entire system time to realise he's the best choice," said Siamak Namazi, an analyst and editor.
As spontaneous as his outburst of emotion clearly was, Khatami had the advantage of knowing he would be performing in advance, and had elegant and poignant expressions prepared. Each anxiety, disappointment and doubt was framed in lofty terms. When he turned to explain why, despite the setbacks and pain of struggle, he was running again, Khatami pointed to his special rapport with the Iranian masses. "If I have a bit of capital, it is people's respect for me," he said, his voice breaking and a hand reaching for his handkerchief.
Ultimately, the president said he would run because the road ahead was so difficult that "even one step forward is a victory." Gazing at his audience, Khatami saw reflected back tears mirroring his own, a horrified expression on his chief of staff's face, and dozens of lenses straining to capture each sniffle. His conclusion was a fitting end to a powerful political display, as well as vintage Khatami: he feelingly recited several verses of Persian poetry, sighed and invoked the support of the supreme Shi'ite imam. He exclaimed, "Ya Ali madad," turned and walked out.
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