Tehran, YJC. President-elect’s consultant has asked him to hold a referendum whether to commence relations with the US.
Political
Sciences Professor at Tehran University and one of Rouhani's consultants has in
a letter asked the President-elect to hold a referendum on Iran-US relations.
Pointing
to the 59th article of the Islamic Republic of Iran Constitution
Zibakalam has said "Iran is facing vast and deep problems… At least 19 million
of the Iranian people have voted for you to support changes in our foreign
policy and the way we relate to the world. But some officials still insist on
continuing the policy. I believe that by considering referendum on important
issues, the 59th article of our constitution has given us the way
out of such a crossroad.”
Zibakalam
adds "The most logical way is to ask the Iranian people whether they like
hostility with the US or not. If the majority voted that they still demand the
continuation of enmity with the US, then your Excellency may fare on that path
in earnest. But if on the contrary, the majority would like to stop the
animosity towards the West and the US; demanding interaction with the world,
then authorities may pay respect to people’s opinion.”
Meanwhile
some experts believe that based on the 59th article of the Islamic
Republic of Iran’s Constitution saying that "in highly important economical, political,
social, and cultural issues” it is the Legislative Branch that is responsible
for holding the referendum, while the President does not have the privileges
needed for doing so.