Make haste slowly

摘要

After sweeping to victory with 77% of the vote, will Muhammad Khatami be able to do more to civilise Iran's clerical regime this time than in his jerky, hobbled first term? Hobbled, because in Iran the elected president, whoever he may be, comes a poor second to the appointed-for-life supreme leader. The more radical steps taken by the reformists last time were promptly reversed by the conservative cohorts gathered round Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Although most Iranians have now demonstrated their desire for change, to achieve steady progress Mr Khatami and Mr Khamenei will have to work together. With both the reformist and conservative camps split, this should not be impossible.