Khatami urges Iranians on vote in elections

The Iranian president Mohammed Khatemi urged the Iranians today to participate in parliamentary elections in February which form a decisive stage in its struggle for reform.

Khatemi told a crowed of young men in a square in Asfahan's down town that "if you love the revolution and the country as well as willing to control your destinies then participate effectively in the elections - adding if you want to help the government, participate in the elections."

In referring to the elections in 1997 in which he was elected as a president with a massive majority he also said "your existence always makes a difference and it must be greater than it was on 23rd of May."

Electing Khatemi was a turning point in the history of the Islamic Republic as he started liberating the social, cultural laws and establishing more democratic practice and organizations as well as easing tension with the west.