Opposition call for referendum on Iran system

Press, 4 November 1978, Page 8

Opposition call for referendum on Iran system

NZPA-Reuter Teheran An Opposition leader has called for a national referendum in troubled Iran to determine whether to change the country’s political structure, now headed by Shah : Mohammed Reza Pahlavi. The call came as a crippling (oil strike continued, and the national airline also was strikebound. Mr Dariush Fdrohar, a leading member of a broad coalition of Opposition groups called the National Front, did not specifically mention abolishing the monarchy, but his message was clear. “The country is facing a crisis because justification . for the present ruling system has diminished, ’ Mr Forohar said. “Therefore, I believe, since the legality of the Government comes from the people, there must be a referendum for the people to decide.” In another apparent concession to end Iran's, civil and political crisis, a former Prime Minister, Mr Ali Amini, said the Shah has agreed to meet with Dr Karim Sanjabi, head of the National Front. Mr Amini said the Shah had told him he was willing to meet with Dr Sanjabi when the Opposition leader returned from Paris, where he is conferring with the Muslim religious leader. Ayatollah Khomeni, exiled 16 years ago for opposing the Shah’s reforms that gave more freedom to women and redistributed church lands. Rioters across Iran have been demonstrating since January for increased political freedoms and closer adherence" to the tenets of

' Islam, despite a martial law 'decree clamped on 12 cities in September. More than 1000 persons "have been killed in the riotling. but the Shah’s authoritarian Government has softened its stance recently in an apparent move to end the crisis. On Wednesday, the Goyernment said it would free all political prisoners on Deicember 10 and abolish special military tribunals soon, j Freeing political prisoners 'has been a main demand of (the demonstrators. A strike by 37,000 oil- : refinery workers has reduced Iran’s oil exports by more than 60 per cent, but some : employees are reported to ihave returned to their jobs, and officials say production "■ probably will increase this ‘week-end. Iran, which normally ! exports 5 million barrels of oil daily, has been shipping ‘ out only about 2 million parrels since Tuesday.