0515 GMT: A surprising source on Tuesday for the confirmation that all is not well with the Iranian economy, as the Supreme Leader addressed Iran's high-ranking officials.
Ayatollah Khamenei, never one to admit weakness, did not directly refer to the problems of unemployment, inflation, production, imports, and currency, as he said defiantly, "“The most obvious reason for the futility of the efforts made by the arrogant front is the inefficiency of more than 30 years of sanctions and economic pressures on the Islamic establishment as well as the increasing progress and power of Iran."
However, in his affirmation of the "Year of National Production" --- even as put out by his office and State media --- there was the impression of pleading:
Today, the country needs endeavor, dynamism and innovation in various fields; and collaboration, prudence, and cooperation among officials, especially between the government and the Majlis, are required to achieve this goal....The Majlis and the Government should take practical steps to support national production through sincere cooperation.
That last sentence is especially significant because on Monday, Speaker of Parliament Ali Larijani sent a letter of complaint to the Supreme Leader about the Government's handling of the economy. Details were not given, but the accompanying statements of Larijani in his media outlet were not shy about the economic problems. "Illegal subsidy cuts...will create a storm of inflation", he pronounced, while declaring that most people are grappling with high prices and unemployment of their children.
So is the Supreme Leader preparing to intervene on the side of either President Ahmadinejad or Larijani? Is he going to offer measures that can bring them together? Or is he just going to play King Canute, seeking to hold back the waves of economic downturn with his words?
Posted via email from lissping
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