July 21, 2004 - Head of the association of political parties (Khaneh-ye Ahzab), an organization representing 81 government-sanctioned parties and political organizations Abolqasem Ra’ofian invited its members to sign a “letter of reconciliation,” in advance of the upcoming Islamic presidential election. He said the letter would commit the signers to creating a joyful “political environment,” promoting greater voter turnout and avoiding factional violence. Secretary-general of the nationalist Iran Party (Hezb-e Iran) Nazemeddin Movahed tells Radio Farda’s broadcaster Mahmonir Rahimi that his and other opposition parties are not invited to and would not sign the proposed reconciliation letter. The reconciliation only covers the parties sanctioned by the interior ministry, which has refused to issue official permits to nationalist parties, he adds. His party, established 55 years ago, continues to exist, he says, but is banned from holding meetings and rallies, publishing newsletters and campaigning. “Even the newspapers who call themselves reformist and supporter of freedoms are afraid to print our views.”
