Reformers decry Iran president's nuclear rhetoric

By Parisa Hafezi

TEHRAN (Reuters) - A leading Iranian reformist said on Sunday that "provocative" speeches had damaged Iran's nuclear cause and its diplomatic standing in a veiled attack on Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

"Our policy is one of detente. We want to have interaction with the whole world except Israel," former parliamentary speaker Mehdi Karoubi told a news conference ahead of Friday's parliamentary election.

He urged voters to turn out for the poll, even though reformists are contesting little more than half the 290 seats. A vetting council has disqualified many of their candidates.

"There is this trend that wants to marginalize people and to have a staged vote. But if people don't vote, they will suffer. The situation will get worse."

Karoubi criticized the government's rhetoric on nuclear matters, without naming Ahmadinejad.

The March 14 parliamentary vote may offer clues to Ahmadinejad's chances of re-election to the presidency next year, but analysts say his fate depends more on whether he keeps the support of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other forces.

Khamenei, who has the last word on nuclear and foreign policy, praised Ahmadinejad last month for his nuclear stance and criticized those who had previously advocated compromise.

"The source of our problems is not whether we accept the suspension (of uranium enrichment) or not," Karoubi said, referring to Iran's disputed nuclear program, which the West suspects is military, despite Tehran's denials.  Continued...