President Mohammad Kha tami of Iran has said he is determined to carry through wideran ging domestic reforms in the Islamic republic. "I have a pact with the people to fulfil my plans," Mr Khatami said yesterday in his first televised interview since being sworn into office on August 4th. "The people know that most of the problems cannot be solved overnight . . . I want to assure the people of the honesty of the government," he said in the nationwide address.
Mr Khatami, a moderate Shia Muslim cleric, was elected in a landslide victory last May on expectations that he could usher in new social and economic freedoms in Iran. His first priority would be to address Iran's economic plight, he said. "We have to try and solve the country's economic problems without imposing pressure on people."
Preparation of a new budget would begin next month and be presented to parliament in November. T "We hope the next budget will be realistic, incorporating development together with social justice," he said, adding that government revenues were currently below budget forecasts.
Mr Khatami backed the introduction of formal political parties in Iran - they have been banned since the 1979 Islamic revolution which overthrew the US-backed monarchy - and an independent press. "To provide channels to convey peoples' needs to the state, we need organised political parties, social associations and an independent free press," he said.
Mr Khatami added he would respect decisions of the Majlis, or parliament, on the make-up of his cabinet. The 270-seat parliament, dominated by Islamic conservatives, will scrutinise Mr Khatami's nominees for 22 cabinet posts on Tuesday. "I hope all my proposed ministers will be approved by the Majlis, but as a person who claims to obey the law, I seriously respect the Majlis' authority," he said.
Women would also be represented in the cabinet in the rank of a vice-president. Vice-presidents do not need to be approved by the Majlis.